Need some advice for fishing Glacier National Park! The Wife and I are headed out west this coming June, and I have no idea where to fish and camp in such a huge place. We’re targeting...

Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

The Wife and I are headed out west this coming June, and I have no idea where to fish and camp in such a huge place. We’re targeting anything that swims, but I would love to do some fly fishing. Are kayaks worth bringing?Are there fly shops in the park? We’re doing this primitive and cheep, so I would like to stay away from hiring a guide. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Jeremy Loc: America

Burgie wrote:

The Wife and I are headed out west this coming June, and I have no idea where to fish and camp in such a huge place. We’re targeting anything that swims, but I would love to do some fly fishing. Are kayaks worth bringing?Are there fly shops in the park? We’re doing this primitive and cheep, so I would like to stay away from hiring a guide. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

Good luck fishing. If you target anything that SWIMS I will stay on land for awhile. There are a bunch of hotties usually swimming at ZUMA Beach but I think kayaks are probably a great thing for the Rocky Mountains and all the lakes etc there. There is a lot of trout to target. There are lots of streams creeks and rivers but many too shallow for using kayaks but many are great for them.

bric Loc: Helena, MT

The Two Medicine area is a great option on the east side of the park. Which sounds like the direction you’re coming from if driving.
Kayaks are definitely worth it. On the west side are Bowman and Kintla lakes you can drive to, all have campgrounds. These are just a few. Lake Macdonald and St Mary lake are options too. But larger and affected more by wind especially for kayaks.
Unless you are fly purists, I would bring spinning gear too. The plastic bubble and fly is a great option with spinning gear.

Recreation.gov is website to go to for campground reservations up to six months ahead of time.

If June is your only timeframe I would go later in June rather than early. Depends a lot on the winter snowpack. But May and June are typically the rainiest months in Montana.

johnlmac Loc: Salem OR

The fish go deep in the summer months in lake MacDonald. My nephew and I limited out on the far side of the lake years ago in a boat trolling little Cleo spoons near where the river comes into the lake. I think it was in May. When we went back later in the summer about 8 years ago they said the fish were down at 250'. Kayaks would work great I think.

Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

Thanks Jeremy! Headed to Zumba Beach😂

Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

Awesome Bric! I know nothing about the mountains but I hearing that wind is an issue…. Should I make reservations at a campground or can we wing it?? We’re probably going to move around a bit? Lastly, do I need to bring some protection from bears? Spray/gun?? Better safe than sorry

Jeremy Loc: America

Burgie wrote:

Thanks Jeremy! Headed to Zumba Beach😂

Your welcome. You know I was joking. ZUMA is near Malibu California. Have fun. Bric and the others have you good solid information. I hope you hook a bunch. Share pictures when you do it please. Good luck and have fun.

Jeremy Loc: America

Burgie wrote:

Awesome Bric! I know nothing about the mountains but I hearing that wind is an issue…. Should I make reservations at a campground or can we wing it?? We’re probably going to move around a bit? Lastly, do I need to bring some protection from bears? Spray/gun?? Better safe than sorry

When are you going? To ZUMA?

bric Loc: Helena, MT

Burgie wrote:

Awesome Bric! I know nothing about the mountains but I hearing that wind is an issue…. Should I make reservations at a campground or can we wing it?? We’re probably going to move around a bit? Lastly, do I need to bring some protection from bears? Spray/gun?? Better safe than sorry

I know they always save a few sites for walkups. But if you take the time to plan ahead it's worth it, especially a place so popular as Glacier. The website is takes a bit to navigate but you can figure it out.

One other thing, fishing is FREE in Glacier. No need for Montana state license if that's the only place you fish. On the other hand, Yellowstone National Park charges a fee to fish, and not too cheap anymore. Go figure, guess it's because it's the crown jewel of fly fishing.

Oh yeah and definitely bring bear spray.

Jeremy Loc: America

bric wrote:

I know they always save a few sites for walkups. ... (show quote)

How about Mosquito 🦟 spray? I knew Bric would set you straight.

Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

👍👍

bric Loc: Helena, MT

Jeremy wrote:

How about Mosquito 🦟 spray? I knew Bric would set you straight.

Well if my wife is with me I don’t need bug spray cuz they will always get her first lol

Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

😂Funny how that goes. My wife is a magnet for nasty insect.

Burgie Loc: NE Iowa

Thanks to all of you! Your all a huge help!

OldBassGuy Loc: Temecula, CA

bric wrote:

The Two Medicine area is a great option on the eas... (show quote)

I had the opportunity to fish with Bric (Tim) this past July in the Helena area and it was great. Might want to listen to him and go in July, if possible, we had great weather. Also, JB134, another great fisherman lives close to Glacier Natl and he knows most of the lakes in the area. Send him a PM and he could possibly help you out. Good Luck!