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Montana · Fishing
Malta sits in the middle of Phillips County on the Hi-Line, and the fishing around here is almost entirely a reservoir and lake game.
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Malta sits in the middle of Phillips County on the Hi-Line, and the fishing around here is almost entirely a reservoir and lake game. The Missouri River breaks country to the south holds most of the drama, but the waters that show up consistently for anglers near Malta are the flatwater impoundments: Number Twenty Reservoir, Wild Horse Reservoir, Lake Bowdoin, Dione Reservoir, and Buckley Lake. These are prairie lakes, which means wind is a real factor, water clarity shifts with weather, and the fish tend to run in patterns tied closely to season and temperature. Walleye and northern pike are the species most anglers come targeting in this part of Montana, with perch showing up as a bonus in several of these waters. None of these are destination fisheries in the trophy-water sense, but they are genuinely productive if you time your visit right and adjust your approach to the conditions. Access is generally straightforward, crowds are rare, and you are unlikely to share a boat ramp with more than a handful of other rigs on any given weekday. For anyone driving through on a longer Montana trip or based in Malta for a few days, these lakes offer solid fishing without a long haul to get there.
Walleye and northern pike are the primary targets across most of these waters, including Number Twenty Reservoir and Wild Horse Reservoir. Yellow perch are common in several of the lakes and make for good eating when you find a school. Check current Montana FWP regulations for each specific water body before you go, since stocking and species composition can vary.
Late May through June is productive as water temperatures rise and walleye move shallow after the spawn. Early fall, particularly September, is another strong window when fish feed aggressively before winter. Midsummer fishing on these open prairie lakes can slow during the heat of the day, so early morning and evening hours are worth prioritizing.
Buckley Lake
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
James Kipp Campground
~1h 22m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Number Twenty Reservoir
~26 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Dione Reservoir
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Wild Horse Reservoir
~32 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Lake Bowdoin
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Point of Rocks Reservoir
~52 min drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Nelson Reservoir
~1h drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Gullwing Reservoir
~1h drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Bear Tracks Reservoir
~1h 4m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Arrambide Reservoir
~1h 5m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Phillips Reservoir
~1h 7m drive
A worthwhile stop near MT.
Also worth it near here
A medium-action spinning or casting rod in the 6 to 7 foot range handles most situations well. Jigs tipped with soft plastics or live bait cover walleye, while larger spinnerbaits and pike-rated leaders are worth having if you are targeting northern pike. Bring enough terminal tackle for snags since some of these reservoir bottoms are rocky or weedy.
Shore fishing is possible at several of these waters, but a boat or kayak opens up significantly more of the productive structure on larger impoundments like Wild Horse Reservoir and Lake Bowdoin. If you are fishing from shore, focus on points, inlets, and any visible weed edges. Wind can make shore fishing uncomfortable on exposed banks, so watch the forecast.
You need a valid Montana fishing license, available online through Montana FWP or at local sporting goods and hardware stores in Malta. Non-resident licenses are available in both season and two-day formats. Lake Bowdoin sits within the Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, so confirm current refuge-specific access rules with FWP or the refuge directly before your visit.
