Tailings Pond is a lake in Deer Lodge County, Montana.
Stocking records show that the following fish or strains were stocked here. A historical stocking does not by itself prove that a self-sustaining population remains today.
Tailings Pond is a lake in Deer Lodge County, Montana and covers about 3,223.13 acres.
The size of Tailings Pond rewards a simple area-by-area plan instead of long random moves.
Near the first edge of the nearest cove, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.
Near the hard edge of a narrow arm, 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.
Across the soft edge of a main-lake point, do not let the deepest number control the whole day; nearby cover, firm bottom, and food usually matter more than the deepest hole by itself.
Along the first edge of the nearest cove, in spring, start with warming banks, creek mouths, and shallow cover; summer usually pushes the better bite toward the outside weed edge or a nearby drop; fall can bring bait back to windblown points, while winter calls for smaller moves and a slower pace.
Across the outside edge of a patch of green weeds, 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.
Near the shaded side of the old channel, record the wind, water color, depth of the first bite, 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.
Beside the darker edge of the nearest cove, fish one shoreline from shallow cover to the first drop, and use fresh local information before choosing a target species.
Around the deep corner of a gravel shelf, choose one manageable arm or shoreline and check its cover, first break, and nearby open water before making a long move.
Across the firm edge of a windblown shore, move after checking the same useful feature at several depths without finding bait, a clean edge, or a bite.
Explore nearby waters, including local Featured destinations. Check each page for access and fishing restrictions.
Distances are straight-line estimates between mapped water locations.
Source dates describe the evidence, not a live catch forecast. Check the managing authority before planning access or keeping fish.
The linked source supports this fish’s presence or stocking in this water.
Source checked:
This is not a record catch or a measure of how many fish are there today. The source may describe an earlier period.