Holter Lake

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 5
Species: 10

Holter Lake, also known as Holter Reservoir, is a popular 4,800-acre impoundment on the Missouri River located in west-central Montana near Wolf Creek. Created by Holter Dam, the reservoir offers excellent fishing opportunities throughout the year. With approximately 50 miles of shoreline along its upper and lower sections, Holter Lake provides diverse habitats for multiple fish species. The lake is a favorite destination for both serious anglers and recreational boaters due to its proximity to Great Falls and Helena. While the lake can get busy with pleasure boats and water-skiers during summer weekends, it remains a premier fishing destination with several access points and amenities.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Walleye

Sander vitreus

Burbot

Lota lota

Common Carp

Cyprinus carpio

Kokanee Salmon

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Yellow Perch

Perca flavescens

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Rainbow Trout14,475 fish · 7.3 inJun 25, 2026
Rainbow Trout14,950 fish · 7.2 inJun 24, 2026
Rainbow Trout14,007 fish · 7.4 inJun 24, 2026
Rainbow Trout14,600 fish · 7.3 inJun 24, 2026
Rainbow Trout14,333 fish · 7.3 inJun 23, 2026

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 Holter 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 Holter 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 Holter 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 Holter Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Holter 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.