D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1
66
TIME OF YEAR
Timing is also
everything. The pass
typically opens Me-
morial Day and clos-
es in mid October
due to snow. But at
first opening, every-
thing will still be fro-
zen. Towards the end
of the season, the
weather can swoop
in without warning.
So late June through Late August are the most
consistent with thawed lakes, good weather, and
hungry fish.
The list on this guide just begins to cover what
is fishable on this highway. Mentioned are the
most accessible and reliable for the angler to have
a full day with a few trout at hand. With half a
million acres of
national forest and
miles upon miles
of trail all adjacent
to many creeks
and lakes boasting
numerous species
of fish, the po-
tential is endless.
The dangers are
apparent and the
effort to get there
can seem exhaust-
ing with high altitude and unpredictable weather.
Ultimately, even with the short season blocking
this fishery, it makes any angler to salivate nine
months of the year, hoping and praying the ice
melts in time to cast again soon in this rugged
and commanding alpine environment.
BEARTOOTH
HIGHWAY
