The Lake Fishing

Story Lake          Merrell Lake          Burns Lake

Begin planning for your lake trip

The Lake Fishing

Story Lake          Merrell Lake          Burns Lake

Begin planning for your lake trip

About the maps used on this site.

The maps of Montana and Yellowstone National Park are hand-drawn by artist Chris Robitaille. These and many other maps can be found at Xplorer Maps which creates the world’s finest hand-drawn and hand-lettered illustrations of national parks and other significant historical sites and destinations throughout the world. Every line, letter and icon is unique, custom and original to each new map rendered. Originally designed to pay homage to the early cartographers, these high quality and exceptionally detailed custom maps are rendered by Chris Robitaille (Xplorer Maps artist and co-owner) using an antique, old-world style.

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Story Lake

The Story Lakes are probably the best all-around value in area private lakes. There are two lakes, the upper of seven acres and the lower which is a bit smaller. Both lakes are situated in beautiful "old" agricultural country in Paradise Valley, about thirty miles from Gardiner.


The upper lake is generally the better of the two. It holds rainbow and brook trout, and once in a great while a brown. This is our favorite lake for pulling the boat to the side and walking the banks, which are mostly relatively flat and open. This allows us to sight-fish for fish cruising the weed edges. Small, flashy nymphs are usually the ticket for this technique, but there are also appreciable numbers of Callibaetis mayflies which can get the fish rising in May, June, and September, and early and late in the year this lake's fish are suckers for big leeches. If the fish aren't crusing shallow, aren't rising, and aren't eating leeches, we usually fish deep with chironomid imitations. The brook trout are worth noting here. The last few seasons, this lake has been turning out a lot of 14 to 18" brookies, which are gigantic for the species. The rainbows averaged in the same range for the past few seasons, but they can reach 24 inches.


The lower lake holds rainbow and brook trout, and once in a blue moon a cutthroat. Since 2012, rainbows have predominated. The brookies average 12-14 inches, while the rainbows average 12-16 inches, though some seasons we'll see an occasional fish over 20 inches. This lake does not present as many opportunities for dry fly fishing or sight-fishing from shore as the upper lake, but it is not as badly impacted by wind, which makes it a better choice for beginners than the upper lake. Chironomids work great here, while at times the fish strongly prefer small Woolly Buggers and leeches.


Rod fees for the Story Lakes are $80 per angler/day. This fee applies to both lakes, so as long as the lakes are not fully booked, it's possible to jump from the upper lake to the lower lake if the wind kicks up. Four rods (two boats) are allowed on the upper lake, while only two rods (one boat) are allowed on the lower lake, so availability can be quite limited, especially in June when traffic really increases. We primarily fish the Story Lakes from mid-April through mid-June and again in October. In general, when you book a Story Lake trip you should expect to meet your guide near Emigrant, Montana (halfway between Gardiner and Livingston, more or less), rather than in Gardiner.

size of Lake

1.5 Miles. 35 Miles South of Livingston Montana.

the catch

Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat, Brooke

Story Lake

The Story Lakes are probably the best all-around value in area private lakes. There are two lakes, the upper of seven acres and the lower which is a bit smaller. Both lakes are situated in beautiful "old" agricultural country in Paradise Valley, about thirty miles from Gardiner.


The upper lake is generally the better of the two. It holds rainbow and brook trout, and once in a great while a brown. This is our favorite lake for pulling the boat to the side and walking the banks, which are mostly relatively flat and open. This allows us to sight-fish for fish cruising the weed edges. Small, flashy nymphs are usually the ticket for this technique, but there are also appreciable numbers of Callibaetis mayflies which can get the fish rising in May, June, and September, and early and late in the year this lake's fish are suckers for big leeches. If the fish aren't crusing shallow, aren't rising, and aren't eating leeches, we usually fish deep with chironomid imitations. The brook trout are worth noting here. The last few seasons, this lake has been turning out a lot of 14 to 18" brookies, which are gigantic for the species. The rainbows averaged in the same range for the past few seasons, but they can reach 24 inches.


The lower lake holds rainbow and brook trout, and once in a blue moon a cutthroat. Since 2012, rainbows have predominated. The brookies average 12-14 inches, while the rainbows average 12-16 inches, though some seasons we'll see an occasional fish over 20 inches. This lake does not present as many opportunities for dry fly fishing or sight-fishing from shore as the upper lake, but it is not as badly impacted by wind, which makes it a better choice for beginners than the upper lake. Chironomids work great here, while at times the fish strongly prefer small Woolly Buggers and leeches.


Rod fees for the Story Lakes are $80 per angler/day. This fee applies to both lakes, so as long as the lakes are not fully booked, it's possible to jump from the upper lake to the lower lake if the wind kicks up. Four rods (two boats) are allowed on the upper lake, while only two rods (one boat) are allowed on the lower lake, so availability can be quite limited, especially in June when traffic really increases. We primarily fish the Story Lakes from mid-April through mid-June and again in October. In general, when you book a Story Lake trip you should expect to meet your guide near Emigrant, Montana (halfway between Gardiner and Livingston, more or less), rather than in Gardiner.

size of Lake

1.5 Miles. 35 Miles South of Livingston Montana.

the catch

Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat, Brooke

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Merrell Lake

Merrell Lake at Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge is one of the premier lakes in not only the Paradise Valley, but the entire state of Montana! Located in the heart of the pristine Tom Miner Basin, where grizzly bears, eagles, and wolves still roam wild and free, this 85-acre spring fed lake is chocked full of some of the largest, hardest fighting, highest flying rainbows in the area. These fish can grow as large as 30 inches and will put your tackle and your will to the test, all in one of the most beautiful locations on this earth. 


size of lake

85-acre spring fed lake.

the catch

Rainbows, Browns, Cutthroats

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Merrell Lake

Merrell Lake at Hubbard’s Yellowstone Lodge is one of the premier lakes in not only the Paradise Valley, but the entire state of Montana! Located in the heart of the pristine Tom Miner Basin, where grizzly bears, eagles, and wolves still roam wild and free, this 85-acre spring fed lake is chocked full of some of the largest, hardest fighting, highest flying rainbows in the area. These fish can grow as large as 30 inches and will put your tackle and your will to the test, all in one of the most beautiful locations on this earth. 

size of lake

85-acre spring fed lake.

the catch

Rainbows, Browns, Cutthroats

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Burns Lake

Burns Lake is a 25-acre lake located near Big Timber, MT. It enjoys the strongest spring water component of any of the lakes we fish, which mean it has the strongest insect populations and water that stays cold enough for good fishing until later in the summer than the other lakes where we guide. This is the lake you want to fish if you want a reasonably solid chance of catching some big stillwater trout on dry flies, and it's a great place if you want to use a variety of techniques.


Burns is home to an eclectic mix of trout, including rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and brook trout. Rainbow and brook trout predominate. The average fish size here is 14-18 inches, but this is a bit misleading because the range of fish is much broader here than elsewhere; there are 10" brook trout, 20" rainbows, and maybe even a few 30" browns. Rest assured that you'll see plenty of fish over 18 inches on a good day.


In May and June, chironomids and leeches are the top producers, while larger streamers and crayfish imitations can also work. On warm, calm days, the shallow flats on the lake's western side offer great dry fly fishing, especially when Callibaetis mayflies or damselfies are hatching. Chances for hatches continue through June and into July, and the possibility of catching fish on ants, beetles, and even hoppers increases as summer progresses. August is really the only month when Burns is typically too warm to fish well, and we avoid it at this time. In the fall, streamers and leeches are the top bets, but since this lake is in low-elevation ranch country, hoppers can work until well into October.


The rod fee on Burns is $100 per angler/day, and we regularly guide on it in May, June, July, September, and October. Because it is located east of Livingston, Montana, you should expect to meet your guide (Walter or Rob, most likely) in Livingston. You'll then travel with the guide to the lake.


size of lake

25 Acre Lake

the catch

Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat, Brooke

Burns Lake

Burns Lake is a 25-acre lake located near Big Timber, MT. It enjoys the strongest spring water component of any of the lakes we fish, which mean it has the strongest insect populations and water that stays cold enough for good fishing until later in the summer than the other lakes where we guide. This is the lake you want to fish if you want a reasonably solid chance of catching some big stillwater trout on dry flies, and it's a great place if you want to use a variety of techniques.


Burns is home to an eclectic mix of trout, including rainbows, browns, cutthroats, and brook trout. Rainbow and brook trout predominate. The average fish size here is 14-18 inches, but this is a bit misleading because the range of fish is much broader here than elsewhere; there are 10" brook trout, 20" rainbows, and maybe even a few 30" browns. Rest assured that you'll see plenty of fish over 18 inches on a good day.


In May and June, chironomids and leeches are the top producers, while larger streamers and crayfish imitations can also work. On warm, calm days, the shallow flats on the lake's western side offer great dry fly fishing, especially when Callibaetis mayflies or damselfies are hatching. Chances for hatches continue through June and into July, and the possibility of catching fish on ants, beetles, and even hoppers increases as summer progresses. August is really the only month when Burns is typically too warm to fish well, and we avoid it at this time. In the fall, streamers and leeches are the top bets, but since this lake is in low-elevation ranch country, hoppers can work until well into October.


The rod fee on Burns is $100 per angler/day, and we regularly guide on it in May, June, July, September, and October. Because it is located east of Livingston, Montana, you should expect to meet your guide (Walter or Rob, most likely) in Livingston. You'll then travel with the guide to the lake.


size of lake

25 Acre Lake

the catch

Rainbow, Brown, Cutthroat, Brooke

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Our Half and Full Day Rates

half day includes:

Up To Two Anglers

All Necessary Fishing Gear

Professional Fly Fishing Instructor

Shuttle To and From Fishing Selection

Four Hours of Fishing

does not include:

Gourmet Streamside Lunch

Montana Fishing License

$550

additional rod fee

The Lakes charge an additional rod fee per person

April 15- June 14th $80.00 per rod

June 15-July 31 $120.00 per rod

August 1-Sept. 14 $100.00 per rod

Sept. 15- Oct.14 $80.00 per rod

Oct. 15-April 14 $40.00 per rod


choose date buy fishing license

full day includes:

Up To Two Anglers

All Necessary Fishing Gear

Gourmet Streamside Lunch

Professional Fly Fishing Instructor

Shuttle To and From Fishing Selection

Full Day of Fishing

does not include:

Montana Fishing License

$700

additional rod fee

The Lakes charge an additional rod fee per person

April 15- June 14th $80.00 per rod

June 15-July 31 $120.00 per rod

August 1-Sept. 14 $100.00 per rod

Sept. 15- Oct.14 $80.00 per rod

Oct. 15-April 14 $40.00 per rod


choose date buy fishing license

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