Placid Lake

Boat Ramps: 1
Access Points: 1
Species: 9

Placid Lake is a popular Montana fishing destination located in the Western Fishing District, nestled in the scenic Clearwater and Swan River Valleys. With a surface area of 31 acres and an elevation of 4,134 feet, this beautiful lake is known for its clear waters, good fishing opportunities, and smooth water conditions that make it ideal for various water activities. Placid Lake is part of the larger Placid Lake State Park, where visitors can enjoy camping, picnicking, boating, and swimming in addition to fishing. The lake features stunning mountain views and is surrounded by Western larch trees, with interpretive panels describing the area's logging history. Placid Lake is a tributary of the Clearwater River and offers excellent fishing opportunities year-round.

Montana licenses and regulations4 to check before you go

Species & education

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

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Largemouth Bass

Micropterus salmoides

Smallmouth Bass

Micropterus dolomieu

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Northern Pike

Esox lucius

Bull Trout

Salvelinus confluentus

Coho Salmon

Oncorhynchus kisutch

Kokanee Salmon

Mountain Whitefish

Prosopium williamsoni

Pumpkinseed

Lepomis gibbosus

Fish stocking schedule

Latest 5 stockings

Westslope Cutthroat Trout11,900 fish · 5.9 inSep 29, 2026
Westslope Cutthroat Trout12,000 fish · 5.6 inOct 9, 2025
Westslope Cutthroat Trout12,000 fish · 5.2 inOct 2, 2024
Kokanee Salmon40,000 fish · 2.5 inMay 14, 2024
Westslope Cutthroat Trout8,000 fish · 6.9 inOct 18, 2023

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 Placid 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.

Seeley Lake Recreational Products

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