Fishing
Any angler who has visited Fort Peck Lake will know that it is full of opportunities for catching many different species of fish. Among this diverse community of game fish, anglers can catch both small panfish and renowned champion fighters. Some of the primary game fish that can be found in Fort Peck Lake include northern pike, chinook salmon, smallmouth bass, walleye, lake trout, and sauger. Northern pike is a species that can grow to very large weights and can present a challenge of equal size. Fishermen should only target this species if they are ready for an intense challenge. Anglers who decide to seek out the northern pike should use a boat to travel to deep waters of the reservoir. The best method of capturing northern pike is through the use of a trolling rig. Large spoons, spinnerbaits, and jigs have all been deemed effective. The ideal trolling speed for northern pike is 2 to 6 miles per hour. If the weather is very cold or hot, it is necessary to troll at the 2 to 3 miles per range due to the species' inactivity during these conditions. The contrary applies during prime feeding times. The chinook salmon is another species that is best targeted by trolling. A speed of 2 to 4 miles per hour is the best option due to the fish's lazy nature. Large spoons and frozen herring are excellent choices when the goal is to hook a chinook salmon. This species can be caught throughout the entire year, but prime season is the Fall. Fort Peck also offers plenty of opportunities for smallmouth bass fishermen. This popular target can be found along the vast shoreline and coves spread along Fort Peck Lake. Hydrilla beds, pilings, timber, large boulders, and other debris are great places to target. Once an ideal fishing spot has been chosen, a line of 6 to 12 pound test should be cast. Good tackle choices include jigs, topwater lures, and bobbers. A fly rod can also be used effectively. The walleye populations are also quite abundant at Fort Peck Lake. In order to catch large walleye, fishermen should use a boat to travel to the depths of the reservoir. The use of crankbaits are often the most effective method for capture. For fly fishermen enthusiast, a dense population of lake trout can be found in areas of cold fast moving water. The Fort Peck Dam is an excellent location to begin searching for lake trout. This species often jumps when it is hooked, so fishermen should be sure to keep the line slack until it is exhausted.
Facilities
Fort Peck Lake offers several facilities to its visitors including marinas, boat landings, fueling stations, tackle shops, lodging, fishing guides, and boat rentals.
The Lake
Fort Peck Lake is massive. It has a total area of 383 square miles. This reservoir's average depth is 76 feet. It is 220 feet at its deepest point. The complete shoreline measures out to 1,520 miles.

Fort Peck Lake is an excellent destination for fishermen who enjoy catching exciting game and seeing beautiful views.

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