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Hebgen Lake

Boat Ramps
5
Access Points
30
Species
8

Hebgen Lake is a premier fishing destination located near West Yellowstone, Montana. This impressive 11,000-acre lake is an impoundment of the Madison River with over 65 miles of shoreline and serves as a trout angler's paradise. Often referred to as one of the best dry fly lake fishing locations in Montana, Hebgen Lake stretches more than 16 miles in length and reaches up to four miles in width at its southern end, covering approximately 6,500 acres. The clear waters provide excellent visibility for anglers, allowing for precise casting and sight fishing opportunities. Unlike many other large Montana lakes where recreational boating dominates, Hebgen Lake primarily attracts fishing enthusiasts, creating a focused environment for anglers seeking trophy trout in a scenic mountain setting.


Species & education

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

Fish stocking schedule

All stockings · 3

  • Arctic Grayling4,534 fish · 3.9 inJun 13, 2023
  • Arctic Grayling77,550 fish · 1.0 inAug 31, 2022
  • Rainbow Trout25,100 fish · 4.6 inSep 28, 2016

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.

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Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Hebgen 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.

Know where you can legally fish on Hebgen 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 Hebgen 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 Hebgen Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.

  • Log your catches here

    Keep a private fishing journal for Hebgen 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.

Get the onWater Fish app

Free on iOS and Android

Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)

See the best times to fish Hebgen Lake and check the forecast before you go.

Madison River bl Hebgen Lake nr Grayling MT

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