Bighorn Lake

Boat Ramps: 5
Access Points: 8
Species: 21

Bighorn Lake is a magnificent 70-mile-long reservoir straddling the Montana-Wyoming border, created by the 525-foot-high Yellowtail Dam completed in 1965. The lake extends approximately 41 miles in Montana and 30 miles into Wyoming, with a surface area of 5,574 acres in Montana alone. This impressive body of water is nestled between the dramatic limestone and sandstone walls of Bighorn Canyon, carved by the Bighorn River through the Bighorn and Pryor Mountains. With depths ranging from shallow flats in the Wyoming section to 450 feet in the Montana portion, Bighorn Lake offers diverse fishing environments and abundant opportunities for anglers seeking a variety of fish species in a breathtaking natural setting.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Walleye30,366 fish · 2.3 inJul 7, 2026
Walleye105,070 fish · 1.4 inJun 11, 2025
Walleye39,791 fish · 1.3 inJun 18, 2024
Walleye116,955 fish · 1.3 inJun 13, 2024
Walleye10,984 fish · 1.7 inJul 1, 2021

Source

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

Updated Nov 13, 2026. Sizes are the length the agency reports. Dates are as precise as the agency reports them.

Open stocking page

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Bighorn 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.

Bighorn Lake Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Bighorn 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 Bighorn 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 Bighorn Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Bighorn 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.