Reservoir · Flathead, Montana
Hungry Horse Reservoir near Hungry Horse
Location Snapshot
Hungry Horse Reservoir is a large South Fork Flathead storage reservoir above Hungry Horse Dam in western Montana, with a distinctly coldwater fishery. Lake trout are the catalog-supported target, while trolling and spinning reflect the broad stillwater character of this mountain reservoir.
Current Lake Rating
Unavailable
Current lake conditions cannot be rated because key water observations are missing.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Why
- Lake elevation is available, but current water-temperature information is unavailable.
- Without enough current observations, StrikeTracks cannot identify a reliable fishing window.
Current Readings
- Water level
- 3,541.33 ft
- Change over 24 hours
- -0.18 ft
- Trend
- Falling
- Last updated
- 37 min ago
Source: USGS · Hungry Horse Reservoir nr Hungry Horse MT · 12362000 · Elevation, lake/res, NGVD29
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
40°F
Feels like
34°F
Wind
2 mph W
Wind gust
2 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 5:30 AM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 36°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Tue 12 PM
Clear
Temp 54°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 4 PM
Clear
Temp 65°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Tue 8 PM
Clear
Temp 53°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 12 AM
Mostly clear
Temp 50°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 4 AM
Clear
Temp 45°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 3 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 65°F / Low 36°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 8 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Overcast
High 70°F / Low 43°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 6 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Overcast
High 70°F / Low 46°F
Chance 43%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 4 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Rain
High 54°F / Low 42°F
Chance 81%
Precip 0.28 in
Max gust 13 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Reservoir Elevation History
Elevation is reported relative to the datum used by this USGS monitoring site. Elevations from different lakes or datums should not be directly compared.
Loading historical elevation…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Hungry Horse Reservoir.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Lake trout are present in Hungry Horse Reservoir near Hungry Horse.
Target species
Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
- Expectation
- Present
- Population
- Unknown
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Wild
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Midge larvaGeneral stillwater midge-style family — not a live Chironomidae Hatch claim.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral stillwater streamer family. Not a baitfish or kokanee Hatch event.
- Ant or beetleGeneral shoreline terrestrial family — not a local Hatch calendar.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Flathead, Montana
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
County
Flathead
Management Category
Native trout / bull trout reservoir
Regulation Scope
Hungry Horse Reservoir near Hungry Horse.
Regulation Summary
Hungry Horse Reservoir: FWP Western District lakes/reservoirs plus bull trout catch-card rules. Confirm current regulations.
Target Species
Lake Trout
Public Access
Public