Upland Natural Lake · Limestone · Montana, US

Cliff Lake

Cliff Lake terrain map

Cliff Lake is Wade Lake's sister, just over the ridge — another deep, rich limestone lake, with big wild rainbows and browns and a population of grayling thrown in for good measure.

Fair · Rainbow
Balanced Leech · 8-12
A respectable few hours, if you choose your moments
Good wave on — drift country. A useful wave. Work the productive shore.
49% confidence
limited data

Cliff Lake is often best in spring through autumn.

What moved it
  • WindSE 9 km/hLight breeze
Today's fly
Balanced Leech
Balanced Leech8-12
Proven pattern for this period
Conditions on the water
Estimate
Wind
Light breeze
SE 9 km/h
N
SE
from the south-east
WaveRipple
Water temp10.1°C
Air temp10°C
CloudOvercast
Pressure1017 hPa
Rain · recent0.0 mm

No gauge on this water — readings are regional estimates from weather, not a live gauge.

How to fish it · for Rainbow
When
No strong hatch signals at the moment — general searching tactics should work best. The ripple is helpful — fish should move onto the feed and a slow-drifted team or single wet will cover water well.
Where
Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.
The plan
Plan A

Set up a broadside drift and cover the water systematically. Work a bushy searching pattern on the bob and drop a contrasting nymph on the point.

Plan B

If the main plan is not working, switch to a smaller, more imitative pattern fished slower and deeper. A change of drift angle can also make a difference.

Watch for

Keep an eye on changing conditions — wind shifts and cloud breaks can trigger short feeding spells.

Boat — drift

A gentle ripple is ideal for drifting — broadside drift covering the wind lanes should be productive.

Sub-surface · on the nymphunder the surface

Hatch predictions

Top nymph shown — see all 4 guilds with Pro.

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Beyond the hatch · worth watchingambient prey(1)

Hatch predictions

Top prey shown — see all 3 with Pro.

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Through the year
0–3 scale · September highlighted
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
Trout seasonSeason
1
2
2
2
2
2
1
Black MidgeHatch
2
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
Gray DrakeHatch
2
2
CallibaetisHatch
2
3
3
3
2
Hexagenia (Western)Hatch
2
2

Numbers are intensity 0 (none) to 3 (peak) — a guide, not a guarantee.

Ranked for today
Rainbow fly box
CH
Chironomid
12-16 · Pattern
Proven pattern for this period
Permits & access
Permit required — see local rules.
  • Montana stillwater regulations — check FWP.
What's coming
Plan ahead
5-day outlook
Condition match
73%
Cloud50%
Wind100%
Temp60%

A good match for Cliff Lake — most conditions are close to what it fishes best in.

Fishing better nearby · 5
About this water

Cliff Lake is Wade Lake's sister, just over the ridge — another deep, rich limestone lake, with big wild rainbows and browns and a population of grayling thrown in for good measure. It's quiet, technical stillwater fishing in country pretty enough to make you forget to cast. Cover the drop-offs and the weed edges, and don't underestimate a chironomid hung dead-still under an indicator; it's about as deadly as anything here.

  • Lake
  • Limestone
Why this score
  • Wind conditions (ripple) closely match what this water fishes best in.
Directions
Seasons & zones
  • Trout Third Saturday of MayLast day of November
Related guides
Booking & contacts