Lake Elmo
Lake Elmo
- Boat Ramps
- 0
- Access Points
- 0
- Species
- 12
Lake Elmo is a popular 64-acre urban fishing destination located within Billings city limits in Yellowstone County, Montana. This artificial reservoir, managed as Lake Elmo State Park, serves as both an irrigation water source and a heavily utilized recreational fishery that consistently ranks among Montana's most visited state parks. The lake features a maximum depth suitable for both warm and coldwater species, with excellent bank fishing opportunities, a concrete boat ramp, and the notable Rogers Pier on the south shore. While currently supporting diverse fish populations including both stocked trout and established warm water species, the lake has faced significant aquatic invasive species challenges, including a major eradication effort for Asian clams (Corbicula fluminea) discovered in 2019 that required a complete drawdown and refill in 2021-2022.
Species & education
Learn what type of fish are at Lake Elmo and what's needed to catch them.
Fish stocking schedule
Latest 5 stockings
- Rainbow Trout4,838 fish · 10.2 inSep 14, 2026
- Rainbow Trout464 fish · 8.4 inJun 3, 2026
- Rainbow Trout1,410 fish · 8.1 inMay 5, 2026
- Rainbow Trout1,533 fish · 7.9 inApr 21, 2026
- Rainbow Trout1,425 fish · 7.7 inApr 14, 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, opens in new tabFishing spots, boat ramps & amenities
Learn how to get on Lake Elmo. 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 Lake Elmo
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.
Montana Fishing License
All anglers 12 and over must possess a license.
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.
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.
Take Lake Elmo 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 Lake Elmo to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Lake Elmo 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.
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Water and weather conditions (10 day forecast)
See the best times to fish Lake Elmo and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
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