Picnic Lakes is a lake in Montana, near Flathead County.
Picnic Lakes is a lake in Flathead County, Montana.
No reliable acreage is listed for Picnic Lakes, so begin with visible cover and the first clear change in depth.
Across the current seam of a shaded bank, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.
Around the firm edge of the first drop, begin with one slow bottom presentation and one moving bait, then let bites show whether fish are holding close to cover or roaming open water.
Beside the hard edge of a rocky point, start where two things meet: weeds and open water, rock and mud, a point and a drop, or clear water and dirty water; fish that edge at more than one depth before leaving it.
Around the clearer side of a shallow saddle, early in the year, protected water and the first warm afternoon can be the best clues; as the water heats up, check deeper edges without assuming every fish is on the bottom; cooling fall water often makes points and firm banks useful again.
Beside the clearer side of an open-water break, a medium spinning rod, 8-pound line, a small box of jigs, a few crankbaits, and a simple bottom rig cover most situations; change depth or speed before changing every piece of tackle.
Beside the shallow side of a firm-bottom flat, record the wind, water color, depth of the first good pass, and cover after a bite; those four notes are more useful on the next trip than a long list of spots that did not produce.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.