Where to Fish Minneopa Lake

Minneopa Lake


Minneopa Lake is located in the East Pioneer Mountains in the Rattlesnake Creek Drainage. It is large for a high mountain lake and has a large inlet and outlet as well. Access to Minneopa Lake is easy so it sees heavy human traffic and impacts. There is an abundance of insect life in the lake and a variety of insects were found in the mouths of sampled fish.

Size: 11.8619 acres
Elevation: 8193.44 ft
Directions: Exit I-15 at Birch Creek and head West on Birch Creek Road. Turn off on USFS Road 7400 and follow to the Minneopa Trailhead to lake. Easy downhill hike to lake.
Status of the Fishery: Minneopa Lake has a good self-sustaining population of Westslope Cutthroat x Rainbow trout hybrids. The average size of fish was 11 inches with some reaching 17.5 inches and 2 pounds during 2018 sampling.
Township/Range/Section: 05S 11W 16
Latitude/Longitude: 45.39276 -112.96325
FWP Region: Region 3  
County: Beaverhead
Fishing District: Central
Owner: Forest Service
(406)-683-3900
Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest Office

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Type: MTNLAKE
Notes: A lot of fish rising throughout lake especially around inlet. High amount of insect life suggests fish could be susceptible to flies. Shore fishing opportunities, but most effectively fished with a float tube.
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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
2020 130 130
2019 106 106
View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.