Fort Peck: January, February, or March?

I’m planning on doing a solo Fort Peck trip this winter, and was wondering what opinions everyone has on the best time slot to hit the lake. I’ve been doing lots of research on where and how to fish it, but I’m still curious as to what portion of winter is best. The forums on this site have been extremely valuable so far. I live about 8.5 hours away in Wyoming and plan on spending at least three days fishing, preferably splitting it between lake trout and walleye. I’m leaning towards the middle/end of February, but if there’s a general consensus on an better time frame to hit the ice, I’ll change it up (ice conditions pending of course.)I spend quite a bit of time ice fishing the Flaming Gorge here in Wyoming and LOTW back in MN, and I’ve noticed different fish activity between early and late ice. I’m curious if there’s similar conditions on Fort Peck. Thanks!

Welcome Alex, I would give Scot at the marina a call or the local bait shop and see what the say. You will also need to play the weather at that time of year I’m sure. I’ve heard rumors the wind blows in Montana.

Dutchboy wrote:

Welcome Alex, I would give Scot at the marina a call or the local bait shop and see what the say. You will also need to play the weather at that time of year I’m sure. I’ve heard rumors the wind blows in Montana.

Thanks! I’ll be sure to make some calls. The wind is bad out here as well haha. I’ve taken a few rides in my hut.

I assume (silly me) that you have watched the video James just aired on fishing Fort Peck? Should be able to find it on You Tube, it’s a open water show they broadcast in mid Nov. this year. Should be some info there that can help.

It isn’t even froze over yet and the 8 to 14 day forecast is above normal.

I was really hoping you meant Wyoming, MN so I could ride out there with you. I’m considering doing a laker/walleye trip out there when I’m sick of the ice fishing around MN. Unfortunately know nothing about the lake though. Good luck!

I’ve made a few trips out there now the past couple years. Its an 11 hour drive for me, and usually my one big trip of the winter. I go for the lake trout mostly. That being said, I think our biggest key to success isn’t so much a certain month, or timeframe (lake trout are active all winter), but the ability to remain flexible with dates. Start off with a few weekends that might work to go, then be flexible to cancel or pull the trigger a few days beforehand, based on weather forecasts. It really sucks feel like you have to go, because its the only weekend that you scheduled, and the weather is going to be horrendous limiting your ability to move and find fish. It’ll be much easier to be successful and find fish when you’re able to be flexible and go when the weather looks manageable. The weather doesn’t need to be perfect, but manageable.