Lake Koocanusa Fishing
A Montana natural lake of 28,723 acres in Lincoln County.
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Before a first Montana trip to Lake Koocanusa
FishMT puts Lake Koocanusa at 28,723 acres, which places it among the waters of Lincoln County. Drawn from the FWP layer, the water outline is about 28,723 acres of mapped outline in Montana. Closest Census-listed place: Eureka, 17 miles out.
Montana FWP files it under FWP’s Western fishing district, with FWP Region 1. FWP lists no trailer ramp on its sites. Read its 2 rule lines before keeping fish.
Size as the FWP FishMT page for Lake Koocanusa prints it (FishMT), read November 12, 2026.
Outline area from the FWP Lakes reference layer (ArcGIS service; mapped polygon area, not an FWP surface-acre figure), read November 12, 2026. The layer stops at the Montana line, so this is the Montana part only.
Montana FWP FishMT waterbody page for Lake Koocanusa, read November 12, 2026.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census counts (TIGERweb) and the 2023 Gazetteer, read November 12, 2026.
Background on Lake Koocanusa from FWP
Lake Koocanusa rides at 2,464 feet above sea level, per FishMT. Drainage goes to Kootenai River, per the FishMT entry. FWP's statewide angling pressure estimate for Lake Koocanusa is 16,861 angler days in 2021 (give or take 3,414).
FWP flags a fish consumption advisory on its FishMT page for Lake Koocanusa; read FWP's current guidance before you keep fish to eat.
Montana FWP FishMT waterbody page for Lake Koocanusa, read November 12, 2026.
What the fish layer shows in Lake Koocanusa
MFISH sorts the fish of Lake Koocanusa by how plentiful biologists marked them, and the table copies those labels.
| Species | MFISH rating |
|---|---|
| Brook trout | rare |
| Bull trout | common |
| Burbot | rare |
| Kokanee salmon | abundant |
| Largemouth bass | rare |
| Mountain whitefish | rare |
| Northern pike | rare |
| Pumpkinseed | rare |
| Rainbow trout | rare |
| Smallmouth bass | listed |
| Westslope cutthroat trout | rare |
| Yellow perch | common |
FWP MFISH fish distribution layer (ArcGIS service) (FWP rating dates 2018 to 2023), read November 12, 2026. Presence is mapping data, not a catch report.
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The site layer records no ramp on Lake Koocanusa; other launches nearby follow.
Spare ramps if Lake Koocanusa is packed
- Tetrault Lake Fishing Access SiteTetrault Lake, 19 miles northeast
- Sophie Lake Fishing Access SiteSophie Lake, 19 miles northeast
- Glen Lake Fishing Access SiteGlen Lake, 20 miles northeast
Opening times for Lake Koocanusa access sites are not in a usable form, so check FWP before a long tow.
FWP Fishing Access Sites layer (ArcGIS service) and the FishMT site pages, read November 12, 2026.
Montana gauge readings for Lake Koocanusa
USACE readings for Lake Koocanusa, Nov. 12, 12:00 p.m. MST.
USACE Access to Water (water.usace.army.mil), dated readings as served, read November 12, 2026. Not live.
Check the stamp beside each Lake Koocanusa figure before trusting it.
Montana limits in force at Lake Koocanusa
Look to the printed exceptions for Lake Koocanusa: where they name a fish, the district chart no longer applies.
| Heading as printed | Section | Rule line | Booklet page |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Koocanusa | whole water | Bull trout: Catch-and-release only (all bull trout must be released with no delay). A Lake Koocanusa bull trout Catch Card must be in possession when fishing for bull trout. See bull trout page 13. It is unlawful to possess a live bull trout for any reason. | booklet page 36 |
| Lake Koocanusa | whole water | Kokanee salmon: 50 daily and 100 in possession. | booklet page 36 |
The rules here are from the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, valid March 1, 2026 through the end of February 2027; FWP had published no 2027 booklet when this was checked.
Anglers 12 and older buy a Conservation License, an aquatic invasive species pass and a fishing license; the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations prints $8, $2 and $21 for a resident full season and $10, $7.50 and $100 for a nonresident.
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
License prices as printed on the FWP fishing license page and in the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 12 (the two agree), read November 12, 2026.
Where Lake Koocanusa meets the line
The mapped outline here is the Montana part; the water reaches British Columbia (Canada).
Ask the land or water manager what else is required.
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
FWP-approved contests and weigh-ins at Lake Koocanusa
Dated Lake Koocanusa events and printed results share one page, each tied to its organizer or the FWP contest list.
Neighboring Montana lakes and Lake Koocanusa
The biggest neighbor here is Glen Lake, which FishMT sizes at 301 acres.
| Water | Distance | Size | County | Ramps | Fish on FWP list |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Koocanusa | 28,723 acres | Lincoln County | 0 | 12 | |
| Frank Lake | 16 miles northeast | 149 acres | Lincoln County | 0 | 1 |
| Tetrault Lake | 19 miles northeast | 96 acres | Lincoln County | 1 | 8 |
| Moran Lake | 20 miles northeast | about 41 acres of mapped outline | Lincoln County | 0 | 4 |
| Glen Lake | 20 miles northeast | 301 acres | Lincoln County | 1 | 11 |
| Sophie Lake | 20 miles northeast | 221 acres | Lincoln County | 1 | 10 |
FWP FishMT pages, the Fishing Access Sites layer and the FWP Lakes layer; outline sizes are GIS figures. Read November 12, 2026.
In Montana close to Lake Koocanusa
Montana lakes and ponds around Lake Koocanusa
- Frank Lake16 miles northeast
- Tetrault Lake19 miles northeast
- Moran Lake20 miles northeast
- Glen Lake20 miles northeast
- Sophie Lake20 miles northeast
Shops the Lake Koocanusa regulars swear by
- Koocanusa Resort & Marinamarina, Libby, 16 miles
- Northwest Sports Centerbait and tackle shop, Eureka, 17 miles
- Kootenai Anglerbait and tackle shop, Libby, 23 miles
- Booze N' Baitbait and tackle shop, Troy, 31 miles
- Thads Tackle Shopbait and tackle shop, Olney, 35 miles
- Whitefish Lake Marinamarina, Whitefish, 49 miles
Montana guides listed near Lake Koocanusa
- Linehan Outfitting Cofishing guide, Troy, (406) 295-4872
- Montana Wilderness Outfitters LLCfishing guide, Eureka
Where to bed down when fishing Lake Koocanusa
- Eureka17 miles
- Libby25 miles
- Whitefish48 miles
Lake Koocanusa on the Montana county map
- Lincoln Countyseat: Libby
Piscifun reels and line to pack for a Montana trip to Lake Koocanusa
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Blue-ribbon creeks, canyon lakes and wide rivers around Lake Koocanusa, pictured
Photo: ted, CC BY 2.0
Photo: Spend A Day Touring, LLC, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: greg westfall, CC BY 2.0
Photo: David Wilson, CC BY 4.0
Questions to settle before the Big Sky drive to Lake Koocanusa
Where in Montana is Lake Koocanusa?
Look in Lincoln County; the nearest Census town, Eureka, is about 17 miles away.
What size does FishMT give Lake Koocanusa?
Roughly 28,723 acres; the mapped outline is about 28,723 acres of mapped outline in Montana.
Does Lake Koocanusa have a paved ramp?
FWP shows nowhere to launch.
Which fish does FishMT name for Lake Koocanusa?
MFISH lists bull trout, kokanee salmon and yellow perch; its ratings are mapping words, not promises.
What can go in the cooler after Lake Koocanusa?
2 rule lines apply here; each one sits in the limits band with its booklet page.
Does fishing Lake Koocanusa call for a Montana license?
Anglers 12 and older buy a Conservation License, an aquatic invasive species pass and a fishing license; the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations prints $8, $2 and $21 for a resident full season and $10, $7.50 and $100 for a nonresident. A child younger than 12 is exempt.
Does FWP list a dock or walk-in site at Lake Koocanusa?
Shore access is not mapped by FWP.
Which listed outfitter is nearest Lake Koocanusa?
Stop at Koocanusa Resort & Marina, about 16 miles away.
Where do I find the stage reading for Lake Koocanusa?
Level figures list the reporting agency plus a date.
Where are weigh-in numbers for Lake Koocanusa?
Every contest found with a date is gathered on the event page.
Plan a long day on Lake Koocanusa
Read the bag limits before any fish goes in the cooler.