15 Best Lakes in Montana
- Lake McDonald; Flathead County.
- Flathead Lake; Lake & Flathead Counties.
- Saint Mary Lake; Glacier County.
- Quake Lake; Madison & Gallatin Counties.
- Avalanche Lake; Flathead County.
- Canyon Ferry Lake; Lewis and Clark & Broadwater Counties.
- Bowman Lake; Flathead County.
- Echo Lake; Flathead County.
Contents
What is the cleanest lake in Montana?
Flathead Lake
Flathead Lake is an enormous freshwater lake in Northwest Montana that also happens to be one of the clearest in the world.
What is the warmest lake in Montana?
Echo Lake
The lake is filled with groundwater and a small amount of mountain runoff from Echo Creek, making it one of the warmest lakes in the Flathead Valley.
Echo Lake (Montana)
| Echo Lake | |
|---|---|
| Surface area | 695.2 acres (281.3 ha) |
| Max. depth | 80 ft (24 m) |
| Shore length1 | 15.5 mi (24.9 km) |
| Surface elevation | 3,047 ft (929 m) |
What is the biggest lake in Montana?
Fort Peck Lake
Fort Peck Lake
Created by an impoundment of the Missouri River in eastern Montana, Fort Peck Lake is the largest lake in Montana. This massive man-made reservoir is approximately 134 miles long with over 1,500 miles of shoreline.
Can you swim in Flathead Lake Montana?
Flathead Lake in northwest Montana is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi; slightly larger than Lake Tahoe at 27.3 mi.As one of the cleanest in the world, Flathead Lake is perfect for OPEN WATER SWIMMING! No sharks, no jellyfish, and no lane lanes, just clear, clean, and crisp water!
Why is Flathead Lake Montana so clear?
Flathead Lake
The clarity of Flathead Lake’s waters is renowned. In the summer it is often easy to see through twenty feet of the water column. The lake is so clear because it is relatively low in nutrients (phosphorus and nitrogen) which promote the growth of algae.
What are four lakes in Montana?
The so-called “Four Lakes Loop” in Rocky Mountain National Park begins from the Bear Lake Trailhead, located at the end of Bear Lake Road, 9 miles from the turn-off at Highway 36. This loop hike visits Bear Lake, Nymph Lake, Dream Lake and Lake Haiyaha, as well as Alberta Falls.
Are there leeches in Montana lakes?
It’s rare to find leeches in Montana rivers, but in our lakes, they are abundant and effective. Leeches are a segmented worm, and are found in freshwater, saltwater and on land.The Balanced leech has rapidly become a go to pattern in Montana lakes.
Is there an ocean in Montana?
Montana is one of the few geographic areas in the world whose rivers are part of three major watersheds. Its rivers feed into the Pacific Ocean, Hudson’s Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. And although there are no ocean views in this inland state, there is no shortage of water to enjoy.
Can you swim in Montana lakes?
Canyon Ferry Lake is the third largest lake in Montana, at 14,200 hectare.Canyon Ferry Lake boasts a 122 kilometre shoreline that is home to boat ramps, day-use areas, camping grounds and marinas. There are also places to go swimming and fishing. In the winter, the lake is a popular spot for iceboating.
What’s the second biggest lake in Montana?
Search Results
| Lake Name | Area in acres |
|---|---|
| Two Medicine Lake (Montana, USA) | 400 |
| Leigh Lake (Montana, USA) | 200 |
| Crystal Lake (Montana, USA) | 186 |
| Lake Josephine (Montana, USA) | 137 |
What is the clearest lake in the United States?
Crater Lake
Crater Lake, Oregon
Because Crater Lake isn’t fed by any streams or rivers, scientists consider it to be the cleanest lake in the US and the entire world. It is also the clearest, with visibility up to 100 feet and sunlight pervading down some 400 feet.
Where is the lake in Montana with colored rocks?
Colored pebbles are seen in abundance on the shores of Lake McDonald on the western side of the park. Lake McDonald is the largest of the lakes of Glacier National Park with a surface area of 6,823 acres. It is also the longest, at over 15 km, as well as the deepest lake at 141 meters.
Are there sharks in Flathead Lake?
As one of the cleanest in the world, Flathead Lake is perfect for OPEN WATER SWIMMING! No sharks, no jellyfish, and no lane lanes…just clear, clean, and crisp water!
Does Flathead Lake have swimmer’s itch?
KALISPELL (AP) — The Flathead Lake itch is back, swimmers say. Flathead County Health Department officials said the curse comes from a tiny parasite proliferating in the warming waters of Flathead Lake and other area lakes. As swimmers leave the shallows, the parasite comes along in water clinging to their skin.
Which side of Flathead Lake is better?
The west side is a faster road, so if you want an easy drive – that would be the better road to take. There are some beautiful vistas of the lake and the Rocky Mountains in the distance as you travel towards GNP – and it’s a lovely road to travel.
What lake in Montana is crystal clear?
Flathead Lake, Montana
Flathead Lake, Montana – Crystal Clear Waters, Monster, and a Viral Photo. Flathead Lake is a very large freshwater lake located in the northwestern corner of Montana.
How clean is the water in Flathead Lake?
It is one of the cleanest lakes of its size and type anywhere in populated areas of the world. The lake is so clear because it is relatively low in nutrients that promote the growth of algae. Water quality in Flathead Lake is a barometer of the ecological health of the entire Flathead Watershed.
What kind of fish are in Flathead Lake in Montana?
Flathead Lake is home to a variety of fish, some of which can regularly grow to be over three feet in length (looking at you, lake trout)! In addition to lake trout, you’ll find pike, whitefish, rainbow trout, yellow perch, kokanee salmon, and bull trout swimming around Flathead Lake.
How long is the hike to Bloomington Lake?
1/2 mile
The hike to Bloomington Lake is 1/2 mile, making this trail a one mile round trip trail. To find Bloomington Lake, head north from Bear Lake until you reach the town of Bloomington.
Is Monarch Lake trail open?
Monarch Lake is a popular destination for canoeing, kayaking, and access to the Indian Peaks Wilderness area.
Trail Snapshot: Monarch Lake Loop, Colorado.
| Hike Distance | 4 miles |
|---|---|
| Trail Type | Loop |
| Starting Elevation | 8400′ |
| Elevation Gain | Approx +300′ |
| Seasons | All Year, Road open from June 16 to Nov. 14 |
