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Martinsdale Reservoir is a great place for camping.
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 Martinsdale
Reservoir is located at the edge of the mountains in Central
Montana, near the headwaters of the Musselshell
River. Although the reservoir itself lies in a grassy,
open area, the Crazy
Mountains and Belt
Mountains tower above the landscape, making for a pretty
setting. Similar to other nearby reservoirs, such as Deadmans
Reservoir, it has been hit hard by five years of drought
in this region as well as extensive drawdowns for irrigation
use. By August, it is not uncommon for this reservoir to be
very low - well below the level of the boat ramp (see picture
below).
Fishing pressure
on the reservoir is low. Its isolated location far from any
major population or tourist area keeps it virtually unknown
by all but the local anglers. Since few people live in this
section of Montana, the use by locals is also not very heavy.
The busiest times on the reservoir will be on summer weekends
when water levels are high (high enough to launch motorboats
at the boat ramp). Martinsdale Reservoir also plays home to
a large variety of waterfowl, providing an excellent opportunity
for wildlife viewing in a scenic setting.
Martinsdale Reservoir
has a very nice recreation site built up around it. The fishing
access site encircles about half of the lake, allowing for
excellent camping opportunities. For some strange reason,
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks charges for camping at this
site (which is generally only done at "high visibility
and high usage" sites such as is found along the Madison
River and Yellowstone
River), which undoubtedly keeps some of the campers away.
Martinsdale Reservoir,
at full pool, is over 100 feet deep (significantly shallower
by late summer or during dry years), and covers a sizeable
acreage. Due to the reservoirs large size, fly fishing from
a boat (inflatable when water levels are low) or float tube
is the best way to cover the water. Just be aware that high
winds can make floating a challenge, especially in a float
tube. Shore fishing can be productive, however, near the inlet
to the dam.
 Despite
the drought and drawdowns for irrigation, Martinsdale Reservoir
is stocked yearly with rainbow trout. In the warm and somewhat
fertile waters of this reservoir the trout can get quite large.
Catching rainbow trout exceeding three pounds is not uncommon,
with average sizes running between 12-14 inches. Brown trout
are also found in decent numbers and size in the reservoir.
Streamers, particularly on sinking or sink tip lines, are
the flies of choice.
The best time to
fish Martinsdale Reservoir will be in May or June as the water
begins to warm up and before irrigation starts to dramatically
lower the level of the lake. Fall also opens up fishing opportunities
as the cooler temperatures cool the water, spurring feeding
activity. Fall also presents the best time to catch the large
brown trout that are found in this reservoir.
Services near Martinsdale
Reservoir are next to non-existent. The very small town of
Martinsdale has a few services, but beyond gas and a few other
items, anyone visiting this reservoir who needs something
will either have to drive into While Sulphur Springs or Harlowtown,
each of which is a considerable distance away.
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