Fishing Near Anaconda, Montana

Anaconda sits at 5,335 feet at the foot of the Anaconda Range in southwestern Montana, 26 miles west of Butte and 120 miles from Missoula. With 86 lakes within 50 miles, 7 fishing access sites, and 5 rivers within driving distance, Anaconda commands an extraordinary density of fishable water. Georgetown Lake—15 miles west—is the premier fishery: a 2,800-acre mountain lake at 6,330 feet stocked with rainbow trout, brook trout, and kokanee salmon, and widely regarded as Montana’s ice fishing capital. The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness holds backcountry lakes with pure westslope cutthroat trout, while Silver Bow Creek—the headwaters of the Clark Fork River—has been restored from Superfund dead water to a productive trout stream. This guide covers every major fishing zone accessible from Anaconda. For the full town profile, see our Anaconda guide.

At a Glance

• 7 fishing access sites within 50 miles
• 86 lakes within 50 miles
• 5 rivers within driving distance
• Primary species: Rainbow trout, brook trout, westslope cutthroat trout, kokanee salmon, brown trout, mountain whitefish
• Star fishery: Georgetown Lake—rainbow trout, brook trout, kokanee salmon, ice fishing
• Closest lake: Georgetown Lake, 15 miles west
• Backcountry fishing: Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness alpine lakes—pure westslope cutthroat
• Restoration success: Silver Bow Creek, Superfund recovery to productive trout stream
• Ice fishing: Georgetown Lake is Montana’s premier ice fishing destination
• License required: Montana fishing license (available at local shops and fwp.mt.gov)

Georgetown Lake

Georgetown Lake, 15 miles west of Anaconda at 6,330 feet, is THE premier fishery in the area and one of the most productive mountain lakes in Montana. The 2,800-acre reservoir sits in a stunning bowl surrounded by the Flint Creek Range and the Anaconda Range, with Discovery Ski Area visible on the ridgeline above. Georgetown Lake is managed as a trophy fishery and produces large rainbow trout, brook trout, and kokanee salmon.

Rainbow trout are the primary target, with fish averaging 14–18 inches and larger specimens taken regularly. The lake’s rich weed beds support exceptional insect hatches—damselfly, callibaetis, and chironomid hatches—that bring fish to the surface for outstanding dry-fly and float-tube fishing, particularly in June and September. Brook trout are abundant and often run 10–14 inches, feeding aggressively near weed edges and tributary inflows. Kokanee salmon provide fast action for trollers and attract crowds during the late summer spawning run.

Georgetown Lake’s claim to fame, however, is ice fishing. The lake freezes reliably by late December at its 6,330-foot elevation, and the ice fishing season runs through March. Hundreds of ice shanties dot the lake on winter weekends as anglers target rainbow trout, brook trout, and kokanee through the ice. Georgetown Lake is widely considered Montana’s ice fishing capital, and the winter fishery draws anglers from across the state. Access is excellent, with plowed parking areas and well-established community of winter anglers.

Silver Bow Creek

Silver Bow Creek, the headwaters of the Clark Fork River, is one of Montana’s great environmental success stories. The creek flows through the Butte–Anaconda corridor and was severely degraded by a century of mining operations—heavy metals from Butte’s copper mines rendered the stream essentially lifeless for decades. Following extensive Superfund cleanup and habitat restoration, Silver Bow Creek now supports a recovering trout population with brown trout and rainbow trout returning to waters that were once considered dead.

The fishing on Silver Bow Creek is improving each year as the restoration matures. The creek offers intimate small-stream fishing through open grassland and cottonwood corridors, with public access at several points along the Butte–Anacondacorridor. While it does not yet rival the region’s premier trout streams, the trajectory is positive, and fishing Silver Bow Creek carries a special significance—proof that even the most damaged waters can recover.

Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness Lakes

The Anaconda-Pintler Wilderness, beginning 11 miles south of Anaconda, holds dozens of alpine lakes scattered across 158,000 acres of high-mountain terrain along the Continental Divide. These backcountry lakes—including Johnson Lake, Warren Lake, and Carpp Lake—hold pure westslope cutthroat trout, Montana’s native trout species, in pristine settings above 7,000 feet.

Backcountry fishing in the Pintler Wilderness rewards anglers willing to hike for their fish. The cutthroat in these lakes are wild, native, and generally willing to take dry flies, small nymphs, and lightweight spinning lures. Most lakes require hikes of 3–8 miles with significant elevation gain, and the best fishing window runs from mid-July (after ice-out) through September. The solitude and scenery are unmatched—many of these lakes see only a handful of anglers per season. Come prepared with bear spray, water purification, and appropriate backcountry gear.

Rivers Near Anaconda

Several rivers within driving distance of Anaconda provide varied trout fishing opportunities. The Clark Fork River downstream from Anaconda holds brown trout, rainbow trout, and mountain whitefish in its improving waters. The Big Hole River (approximately 40 miles south) is one of Montana’s legendary trout streams, famous for its salmonfly hatch in June and populations of brown trout, rainbow trout, and Arctic grayling—one of the last native grayling populations in the lower 48 states.

The Rock Creek (approximately 50 miles northwest) is a blue-ribbon trout stream with excellent access and strong populations of rainbow and brown trout. Closer to town, smaller streams draining the Anaconda Range and Flint Creek Range offer creek fishing for brook trout and cutthroat in forested settings. These smaller waters are often overlooked but provide rewarding half-day fishing within easy reach of Anaconda.

Fishing Access Sites

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks maintains 7 public fishing access sites within 50 miles of Anaconda. These sites provide reliable access to the Clark Fork River, Georgetown Lake, and surrounding waters, with parking and, in most cases, boat launch facilities.

Lakes Near Anaconda

Beyond Georgetown Lake, an extraordinary 86 lakes lie within 50 miles of Anaconda—one of the highest densities of fishable lakes for any town in Montana. Barker Lakes (8 miles), Thornton Lake (10 miles), and Hunters Lake (11 miles) are among the closest options. Porcupine Lake (11 miles), Big Pozega Lake and Little Pozega Lake (12 miles), and the Bowman Lakes (13 miles) expand the network further. Many of the alpine lakes hold brook trout or cutthroat trout and are accessible only by trail, rewarding anglers willing to hike for uncrowded water in stunning mountain settings.

Hot Springs

After a day on the water, Fairmont Hot Springs (8 miles from Anaconda) offers natural hot springs pools for soaking. An additional 13 hot springs lie within 50 miles, making the Anaconda area a rare combination of outstanding fishing and easily accessible thermal springs—a welcome recovery option after long days of wading and hiking to backcountry lakes.

Species Guide

Seasonal Guide

Spring (March–May): Ice-off on Georgetown Lake typically occurs in late April to early May at its 6,330-foot elevation. The immediate post-ice period offers outstanding fishing as rainbow and brook trout feed aggressively near the surface. Silver Bow Creek and the Clark Fork clear before spring runoff in May, providing a window for early-season nymphing. Mountain lakes in the Pintler Wilderness remain frozen through May and often into June.

Summer (June–August): Prime season across all waters. Georgetown Lake’s insect hatches peak—damselfly, callibaetis, and chironomid hatches bring trout to the surface for excellent dry-fly and float-tube fishing. Backcountry lakes in the Pintler Wilderness become accessible as ice clears in late June and July. River fishing on the Clark Fork and Big Hole is productive with caddis, stoneflies, and attractor patterns. The Big Hole’s famous salmonfly hatch typically occurs in mid-June.

Fall (September–November): Many locals consider fall the best fishing season. Georgetown Lake fishing improves as summer crowds thin and water temperatures cool—brook trout become especially aggressive ahead of their fall spawn. Cutthroat fishing in the Pintler Wilderness is excellent in September before snowfall closes access. Blue-winged olive hatches on the Clark Fork and Big Hole extend through November on overcast days.

Winter (December–March): Georgetown Lake’s ice fishing season is the main event. The lake freezes by late December and the ice fishery runs through March, drawing hundreds of anglers on winter weekends for rainbow trout, brook trout, and kokanee through the ice. Georgetown Lake is widely considered Montana’s ice fishing capital. The Clark Fork River remains fishable through winter with nymphs and streamers on warmer afternoons. Backcountry waters are inaccessible.

Regulations and Conservation

A Montana fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older on all state waters. Licenses are available online at Montana FWP or at local sporting goods stores. Non-resident licenses are available for durations ranging from two days to a full season.

Special regulations apply on several waters near Anaconda. Georgetown Lake has specific daily and possession limits that change periodically—check current regulations before fishing. Silver Bow Creek has special catch-and-release and gear restriction sections as part of the ongoing Superfund restoration. The Big Hole River has special regulations protecting Arctic grayling, including seasonal closures on some tributaries and reduced bag limits. Warm Springs Ponds, between Butte and Anaconda, offer limited fishing and wildlife viewing but have specific consumption advisories due to their role in the Superfund treatment process. Always check current FWP regulations before fishing any water near Anaconda.

For hiking and other outdoor activities near Anaconda, see our hiking guide.