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Montana · Fishing
Condon sits in the Swan Valley, a corridor of lakes and rivers tucked between the Mission Mountains and the Swan Range, and the fishing options here reflect that geography.
12 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 12 spots
Condon sits in the Swan Valley, a corridor of lakes and rivers tucked between the Mission Mountains and the Swan Range, and the fishing options here reflect that geography. The bulk of the 12 listings around Condon are lake fisheries — Holland Lake being the most accessible, with a campground and a boating site right on the water, making it a practical base for a multi-day trip. Smaller, quieter options like Buck Lake, Rubble Lake, George Lake, Turquoise Lake, Stoner Lake, Meadow Lake, and Terrace Lakes round out the lake fishing, and they tend to see less pressure than Holland. For moving water, Owl Creek Cabin and the Old Condon Ranger Station put you near river access in the upper Swan drainage. This is not a destination built around a single marquee fishery — it's a place where you can work through a handful of different waters over a long weekend, adjusting based on conditions and how much hiking you want to do to reach the more remote lakes. Expect a mix of cutthroat, brook trout, and bull trout in these waters, though regulations around bull trout are strict and worth reading before you go. A Montana fishing license is required for anyone 12 and older.
Late June through September is the most reliable window. Many of the higher lakes, including some of the smaller ones like Turquoise and Rubble, can hold snow into early June, so access is limited before then. August and early September offer stable conditions, good insect activity in the evenings, and the best chance of reaching the more remote lakes without postholing through snowfields.
Shore fishing is viable at Holland Lake, particularly near the campground and the boating site, but a canoe, kayak, or small motorized boat opens up significantly more water. The lake is large enough that the far shorelines and deeper structure are hard to reach on foot. Rentals are not available through Roamze listings, so plan to bring your own watercraft if you want to cover the full lake.
Holland Lake Campground
~5 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Owl Creek Cabin
~7 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Swan Guard Station
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Swan Lake - Swan Lake Campground Access
~1h 3m drive
Easy
Flathead Lake State Park - West Shore
~1h 6m drive
Moderate
Mission Lookout
~57 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Old Condon Ranger Station
~19 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Swan Lake Campground
~1h 1m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Rock Creek - Clinton Access
~1h 20m drive
Moderate
Holland Lake Boating Site
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Silvertip Cabin
~1h 5m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
River Point Picnic Area
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
A light to medium spinning rod handles most situations — small spinners, spoons, and PowerBait-style baits work consistently for cutthroat and brook trout in these lakes. If you fly fish, a 4- or 5-weight rod with a floating line and a selection of elk hair caddis, parachute adams, and soft hackles covers the evening hatches well. For the river access points near Owl Creek Cabin and the Old Condon Ranger Station, nymphing rigs or small streamers are worth having.
Bull trout are present in the Swan drainage and are a protected species — in most Swan Valley waters they are catch-and-release only, and in some stretches fishing for them is entirely prohibited. Check the current Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks regulations for the specific water body you plan to fish before your trip, since rules can vary by lake or river section. A valid Montana fishing license is required.
These lakes are not roadside fisheries. Reaching them typically involves trail hiking in the Swan Range or Mission Mountains foothills, and distances and elevation gain vary by trailhead. Plan for at least a half-day commitment for most of them, and check trail conditions with the Flathead National Forest Swan Lake Ranger District before heading out, especially early in the season when trails may still be snow-covered.
