Camping/Ice fishin

[muley69]

Since we are in the 'root, we pretty much have to drive a ways to get to a lot of different lakes.  Are their any places where one can camp next to some of these lakes?  We were thinking of hooking up the bell camper and giving it a whirl.  Seems like to much time is spent riding and not enough in the shanty.  It would be nice to go up to the seeley area and fish several different lakes up there over 2-3 days.  Driving and doing that is a pain.  I would be interested in going about anywhere if I knew we could make a weekend out of it.  No motels though, I hate 'em.     

[Mt.Bucket]

It often seems to me you can camp just about any where you go, we do it often. This Fri. we are heading out for Tongue River Res. and are going to camp. My buddies will leave Sun. and I will stay and sleep in my truck another day or two.

[cuznalfy]

i use my camper quit bit you can usually find places to park at for at least a base camp. if i were you i would look for one of the lakes you can use 6 lines at just my 2 cents. good luck on your trip   

[Neptune]

i use my camper quit bit you can usually find places to park at for at least a base camp. if i were you i would look for one of the lakes you can use 6 lines at just my 2 cents. good luck on your trip   

You can't use 6 lines anywhere in the Western District only 2!  Rassle frackin' ....

[troutmanolsen]

One good place in the summer is Upsata Lake.  But, with all of this snow it might be tough to get in there.  I know it's not plowed.  You can get to the lake and fish it but I don't know if you'll be able to get your rig in there.  Harper's is another spot.  I have been fishing there a lot and doing really well for rainbows.  It's easier to get at and it has room for a camper.  You should check to make sure camping is allowed there.

[Seedtree]

When I lived in Missoula we used to camp over on Georgetown Lake and ice fish. There is a good campground on the Western side of the lake, I think its called Phillipsburg Bay or something like that.  Its been awhile.

We've also camped out at 7 Gables Inn which is on the North side by the turnoff to that ski area.  They have a website and provide good current info on ice fishing. 

One thing we learned to check on was how much slush was on the lake.  That area is prone to heavy snow, which results in a slushy mess on the ice as the snow weighs down the ice and eventually water breaks through and pools on top of the ice.  I've seen it thigh deep with multiple layers of ice/slush/water.  Makes it very tough/spooky/cold to fish.

Also check if there are any snowmobile races scheduled.  They blaze across the ice around 90 or so and its a pain to worry about getting run over.

[wyogator]

Browns Lake has a nice campground.

[Quantoson]

I do camp when fishing ice derbies.  Sometimes with the motor home, but mostly with the tent.  I am signing up for the Fisher River Valley Winter fishing derby for the 1/17 and1/18.  I will tent camp that weekend somewhere up at the Thompson Chain of Lakes.  Saves driving back to Columbia Falls Saturday night.

Rarely will I camp on the ice, to dang spooky with the ice cracking and water rising in the middle of the night.  I set up on shore somewhere close to my fishing holes.  I've had my tent freeze to the ice before.

There are other ice derbies at Seeley lake and Salmon Lake that same weekend.  And at Casino Creek Reservoir and East Fork Reservoir as well.