Discover the Clearest Lake in Montana

Montana is called the “Treasure State” for a reason. This beautiful state has diverse wildlife and lots of natural beauty. Montana is also home to 8 national parks, two of which are visited by millions of people every year. While visiting Montana, you can take a trip to Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. Within these national parks are many lakes and ponds to enjoy. While they are beautiful, can you guess which is the clearest lake in Montana? Here’s a hint, it’s located outside of Flathead National Forest.

What is the Clearest Lake in Montana?

The clearest lake in Montana is Flathead Lake. Apart from being the clearest lake in Montana, it’s also the cleanest and largest freshwater lake in the state. Fun fact, Flathead Lake is also the largest natural freshwater body of water in the western United States. It’s also one of the clearest lakes in the country. So, why is this lake so clear? Flathead Lake has a natural nutrient imbalance, which doesn’t promote algae. Phosphorus and nitrogen are low in the water.

About Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake has a catchment area of 8,587 square miles. Its primary inflows are Flathead River and Swan River. The lake discharges into Flathead River. Flathead Lake is about 27.3 miles long and has a maximum width of 15. 5 miles wide. The surface area of this large freshwater lake is 197 square miles. Flathead Lake is also very deep. The average depth of this beautiful lake is 164.7 feet, while the maximum is 370.7 feet. If you don’t like swimming, you can also enjoy many activities along the 161.4-mile-long shore like fishing and hiking.

Flathead Lake was previously called “Salish Lake” by the Bitterroot Salish people. The lake has a long history and was used by many Native American groups long before European settlement. Currently, there are only a few fish species native to Flathead Lake including northern pikeminnow, mountain whitefish, and bull trout. However, you can fish for other non-native species, many of which were introduced in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

Things To Do In Flathead Lake

Visiting Flathead Lake is a must if you’re in Montana. There are many things to do in and around the lake. For example, you can find multiple state parks surrounding Flathead Lake. Apart from swimming, visitors can also learn more about the lake and the people native to Montana at the People’s Center, Polson Flathead Historical Museum, and Northwest Montana History Museum.

While you can spend your day enjoying the museums, you can also fish, camp, hike, bike, horseback ride, and swim in Flathead Lake. This lake is also so large that it includes many islands within the lake, like Wild Horse Island. You can take a boat to the island and view impressive wildlife. Kayaking is a popular activity. 

Animals in or near the Clearest Lake in Montana

Many animals live in the clearest lake in Montana. Even more though use the beautiful lake to bathe and drink clean water. Listed below are animals that frequent Flathead Lake, many of which live in Flathead National Forest.

Bull Trout

A common fish in Flathead Lake is the bull trout, which is native to the lake. They are most common in Flathead drainages. Bull trout are large migratory fish that can reach up to 40.5 inches long. However, most only reach about 25 inches long. Bull trout have thick and long olive-green bodies with white bellies. Sadly, because of population declines, bull trout are listed as ‘Threatened’ under the Endangered Species Act.

Westslope Cutthroat Trout

Another trout you can find in Flathead Lake is the West Slope cutthroat trout. They are also native to Flathead Lake and are the official Montana state fish. Westslope cutthroat trout are about 8 to 12 inches long. They are the smallest native trout in the state. These cutthroat trout mainly consume insects and zooplankton. Sadly, like bull trout, their population is declining.

Elk

If you take a hike through Flathead National Forest, there’s a chance you may see an elk. Montana has a large elk population. Currently, the Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks estimates there are 175,000 elk in the state, most live in southwestern Montana. Interestingly, while the population in Montana might seem large, Colorado has well over 280,000 elk.

Bighorn Sheep

The next animal on our list is the bighorn sheep. Although not as common as elk, bighorn sheep can be found near the clearest lake in Montana. In the state, experts estimate there are about 6,000 bighorn sheep left. You can see bighorn sheep on Wild Horse Island. The bighorn sheep you see on the island though are descendants of 10 Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep left in 1947.

Bald Eagle

Aside from fish and large mammals, you can also see bird species like bald eagles. Although we don’t have an exact number, experts estimate there are at least 700 pairs of bald eagles in the state. Bald eagles are common along the shore of Flathead Lake. One of the islands in Flathead Lake that contain bald eagles is Camp Melita Island.

Where Is Flathead Lake Located on a Map?

Nestled between the Mission Mountains to the east and the Salish Mountain to the west, Lake Flathead is in the northwest corner of Montana, 7 miles south of the town of Kalispell.  To the northeast, only 30 miles away, is Glacier National Park. The lake can be reached via two scenic highways, US 93 on the west and State Highway 35 on the east.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Francisco Blanco/Shutterstock.com