Upper Corkscrew Lake

Upper Corkscrew Lake is a lake in Stillwater County, Montana.

Use the shape you can see at Upper Corkscrew Lake: check the best cover, the first drop, and one open-water line before moving.

Fish and Baits

Across the inside edge of a short point, the fish mix here is not confirmed, so check fresh local information before choosing a target or keeping a catch.

Across the sheltered edge of a rocky point, 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.

How to Read the Water

Around the darker edge of a deep bend, use wind as a clue; a light push can carry food toward a bank, but hard wind may muddy it, so look for a clean edge near a point or protected pocket.

Season by Season

Around the open side of a broad flat, spring runoff can add color and pull fish toward fresh water; green weeds and the first drop become stronger summer targets; in fall, follow bait toward points and shallow flats, while winter rewards a slower search.

A Simple Tackle Plan

Across the narrow end of an outside bend, 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 shaded side of a patch of green weeds, 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.