Harrison Lake is a medium sized reservoir that is located about 30 minutes from both Bozeman and Ennis. Harrison does not produce the same prolific dry fly fishing that Ennis and Hebgen lakes do, but it is still a very popular destination for those fly fishing near Bozeman or on a Madison River fishing vacation.
Harrison lake is a favorite of several of our seasoned fly fishing guides due to its unique strain of hard fighting rainbow trout. "Harrison lake" rainbows are large and scrappy. The average trout in the lake is between 16 and 19" with larger fish common. These are heavy trout that put a serious bend in the rod when they make their reel scorching runs.
Trout can occasionally be found rising to sporadic hatches producing decent dry fly fishing. Most of our guides fish to cruising trout while slow twitching leaches, crayfish or small nymphs. Working drop offs is also a good approach. Harrison is located near a gorgeous canyon called Willow Creek and we often combine some fishing on the lake with a hike down into the canyon for some great small stream fly fishing.
