Lower Saint Mary Lake is a spectacular 2,170-acre body of water located in northwestern Montana, approximately 5 miles south of Babb. With about 15 miles of pristine shoreline surrounded by rugged natural beauty, this cold, clear water lake offers excellent fishing opportunities for multiple trout species and northern pike. Located near Glacier National Park, Lower Saint Mary Lake receives relatively little fishing pressure compared to other Montana lakes, creating favorable conditions for both quantity and quality catches. The lake's elevation sits at 4,477 feet, contributing to its consistently cool water temperatures that support healthy fish populations year-round.
Learn what type of fish are at Lower Saint Mary Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Esox lucius
Salvelinus namaycush
Coregonus clupeaformis
Prosopium williamsoni
Learn how to get on Lower Saint Mary 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.
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.
What you need to float or boat Lower Saint Mary Lake, and when to apply.
Blackfeet Reservation
Boater pass · All boaters · Required year-round
Non-members using any watercraft on the Blackfeet Reservation must carry a Blackfeet recreation and conservation permit or a Blackfeet fishing permit.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Blackfeet Fish and Wildlife Department
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.
All anglers 12 and over must possess a license.
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.
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.
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.
Download the map around Lower Saint Mary Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Lower Saint Mary Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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See the best times to fish Lower Saint Mary Lake and check the forecast before you go.
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