Benton Lake

Boat Ramps: 0
Access Points: 0
Species: 3

Benton Lake is a shallow 6,000-acre wetland located approximately 12 miles north of Great Falls, Montana. Despite its name, Benton Lake is not actually a lake but rather a shallow wetland created by continental glaciers thousands of years ago. It is primarily managed as part of the Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge, covering 12,383 acres (19 square miles) on the western edge of the northern Great Plains. This wetland provides vital habitat for migratory birds and other wildlife, with fishing opportunities available in some areas, particularly within the Benton Lake Wetland Management District.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Benton Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Benton Lake. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.

Within the Benton Lake Wetland Management District, the primary fishing location is:

Arod Lakes WPA - The most popular fishing area in the district featuring sizeable populations of yellow perch and northern pike

Specific locations within Arod Lakes that offer good fishing include:

Middle Lake
Round Lake (both have limited motorized vehicle access for ice fishing from January 2nd to March 31st)

Know where you can legally fish on Benton Lake

See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.

Montana licenses and regulations

Montana Boating Regulations

When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.

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Montana Fishing License

All anglers 12 and over must possess a license.

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Montana Fishing Regulations

This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.

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Montana Stream Access Laws

Under the Montana Stream Access Law, the public may use rivers and streams for recreational purposes up to the ordinary high water marks. Although the law gives recreationists the right to use rivers and streams for water-related recreation, it does not give them the right to enter private lands bordering those streams or to cross private lands to gain access to streams without landowner permission. Montana's stream access law ensures public access to surface waters by public bridge or county road right-of-way. The width of a public bridge or public road right-of-way easement is the same as the public highway to which it is attached.

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Take Benton Lake with you

The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Benton Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Benton Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.