Big Lake is a large (40.2 acres), remote glacial cirque lake located within designated Wilderness in the Rattlesnake Creek drainage near Missoula at ~6,875 ft elevation. In order to increase storage volume, the lake has been artificially impounded by a dam at the outlet. This structure elevates the normal surface water elevation, but may also increase annual water level fluctuations. Big lake is one of the three largest lakes in the Rattlesnake Wilderness Area.
Big Lake
| Size: | 40.2 acres |
| Elevation: | 6875 ft |
| Directions: | Although this lake is geographically close to the city of Missoula, access is difficult. There are several USFS routes from which to choose. Route distance and difficulty varies, but all require non-motorized travel. Common starting points are the trailheads at West Fork Gold Creek (Trail # 52), Ravine Creek in lower Grant Creek (Trail # 34), or in lower Rattlesnake Creek at the main Rattlesnake National Recreation Area trailhead (Gated Road #99). Please refer to USFS maps for specific travel routes and connecting trail numbers. Total travel distance from trailheads to the lake ranges from 9-17 miles. |
| Status of the Fishery: | |
| Township/Range/Section: | 15N 18W 19 |
| Latitude/Longitude: | 47.04022 -113.91849 |
| FWP Region: | Region 2 |
| County: | Missoula |
| Fishing District: | Western |
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| Waterbody | Section | Field Form Type | Date | Purpose | Species |
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To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams
| Species | Count | Avg | StdDev | Min | Max | AvgWgt | StdDevWgt | MinWeight | S/L | Sects | Surveys | Waterbody |
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To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams
| Waterbody | Section | Species | Count | AveLength | StdDevLength | MinLength | MaxLength | AveWeight | StdDevWeight | MinWeight | MaxWeight |
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To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams
| Waterbody | Year | Section | Species | Count | AveLength | StdDevLength | MinLength | MaxLength | AveWeight | StdDevWeight | MinWeight | MaxWeight |
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To see this data, first select one or more rows from the Collection Info tab.
This is a preview, all fields will be visible by selecting a download option. For Comparative analysis all Length Units are millimeters : all Weights are grams.
| Year | Species Abbrv | Length | Weight | M/C | Count | Sex | Mort | Hook Scar | Disease | Scales | Otolith | Fin Clip | Tag | Comment | Genetics | Age | Stomach | Intercept | Slope | Gear | Equipment | Trip | Date | Pass/Run | Water | Section | Lat/Down | Lon/Down | Lat/Up | Lon/Up | Agency | Start Depth | End Depth |
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No fishing pressure information found.
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.
No Gauging Stations found.
There is no fish consumption advisory for this waterbody.
