Saint Mary Lake is a large and stunning waterbody located in the eastern section of Glacier National Park in Montana. Stretching an impressive ten miles and surrounded by breathtaking mountain scenery, this crystal-clear lake offers excellent fishing opportunities despite receiving relatively little angling pressure. The lake is visible from the popular Going-to-the-Sun Road and is known for its near-constant winds and pristine waters. The lake's outflow forms a clear stream that passes under the road and past a campground before emptying into Lower Saint Mary Lake, creating additional fishing opportunities. Despite the incredible natural beauty and accessibility, Saint Mary Lake remains relatively unpressured by anglers, offering a peaceful and serene fishing experience.
Learn what type of fish are at Saint Mary Lake and what's needed to catch them.
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Salvelinus fontinalis
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Esox lucius
Salvelinus confluentus
Lota lota
Salvelinus namaycush
Coregonus clupeaformis
Prosopium williamsoni
Catostomus commersonii
Learn how to get on 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 Saint Mary Lake, and when to apply.
Glacier National Park
Registration · All boaters · Required year-round
Every watercraft launched in Glacier needs a free launch permit, issued after an invasive species inspection.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Glacier National Park
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 Saint Mary Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for 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.
Get the onWater Fish app
Free on iOS and Android
See the best times to fish Saint Mary Lake and check the forecast before you go.
No forecast data available.
Loading popular cities...
onWater Fish gives you everything you need to plan smarter, fish better, and own every trip from first cast to last.
