Where to Fish Sanders Lake


Sanders Lake is a large (~48 acre), remote glacial cirque lake, located within designated Wilderness in the Rattlesnake Creek drainage near Missoula at ~ 6,885 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 contribute to greater annual water level fluctuations.

Size: 48 acres
Elevation: 6885 ft
Directions: Although Sanders 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 vary, 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 lake ranges from 9-17 miles.
Status of the Fishery:
Township/Range/Section: 15N 19W 13
Latitude/Longitude: 47.05922 -113.93655
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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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
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
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
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
Year Angler Days Std. Error
2019 213 213
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.