Ennis Lake

As the stillwater centerpiece of southwest Montana, Ennis Lake draws anglers, boaters, paddleboarders, swimmers, cliff-jumpers, wind-surfers, and every other manner of water enthusiast imaginable. In the winter, things slow down, but ice shanties can still be seen along the northern and southwestern shorelines, along with a few impromptu pond-hockey rinks. One of the main draws is the proximity to the town of Ennis, where ample food & drink await both before and after one's lakeside excursions.

Ennis Lake is formed by a dam at the top of Bear Trap Canyon. The reservoir is shallow, making for uncharacteristically warm water by Montana's standards.  This shallow depth also means that the lake freezes easily once the temperatures plummet in late fall or early winter.

Large trout patrol Ennis Lake and are enthusiastically pursued by anglers of all stripes: fly fishermen, kayakers chucking lures, motorboat trollers, and kids drowning worms. 

Two public roads deliver you to a variety of access points. One is at the McAllister Junction, just below the big hill to Norris. The other is off Jordan Lane, a few miles to the south. Ambitious boaters can float in from Ennis, following "The Channels," a braided network of stream channels that collectively fill Ennis Lake. Depending on which channel you choose, it can be a long, often windy paddle to the nearest public take-out.

Read all about Ennis Lake, and the surrounding Madison Valley, here:
All Along the Waterfront
Outside Ennis
Exploring Ennis
Easy Ennis
All About Ennis