The short answerPlacid Lake is about 1,212 acres and 90 feet deep, slightly larger than Seeley Lake by FWP's figures. Placid Lake State Park has the public boat launch and a 40-site campground with showers, open May 1 to November 30. Any northern pike or smallmouth bass you catch must be killed and reported to FWP.
Placid Lake covers about 1,212 acres and reaches 90 feet at its deepest, which by FWP’s figures makes it a little larger in area than Seeley Lake (about 1,031 acres), though about 35 feet shallower.17 Public access is through Placid Lake State Park, which has the boat launch and a 40-site campground with showers.4 The lake also has unusual northern pike rules, so read the fishing section before you cast.
How big and deep is Placid Lake?
| Measure | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Surface area | About 1,212 acres (1,211.8) | FWP FishMT1 |
| Maximum depth | 90 ft | FWP FishMT1 |
| Average depth | 45 ft | FWP FishMT1 |
| Surface elevation | About 4,132 to 4,149 ft (FWP sources differ) | FWP FishMT and lake map12 |
FWP’s own sources disagree slightly on the lake’s surface elevation: FishMT lists about 4,132 feet, and other FWP pages give figures up to about 4,149 feet. The difference does not matter much for a visit, but it explains why you will see more than one number.
Placid Lake State Park
The state park is the public way onto the lake. As of 2026, FWP lists:4
| Item | Detail (as of 2026) |
|---|---|
| Address | 5001 N. Placid Lake Rd. |
| Park size | 31 acres |
| Boat launch | Yes; water skiing is allowed on the lake |
| Campsites | 40, of which 17 have electric hookups, plus 1 hike-bike site |
| Showers | Yes |
| Camping fees | $4 to $34 a night, depending on season and amenities |
| Day use | $8 per nonresident vehicle; $4 walk-in or bike |
| Montana residents | No daily entrance fee if you paid the $9 state parks fee with your vehicle registration |
| Campground season | May 1 to November 30 |
| Winter | Walk-in day use only, December 1 to April 30 |
| Reservations | ReserveAmerica or 1-855-922-6768 |
Fees and seasons change. Check the FWP park page before you go. We have seen conflicting phone numbers listed for the park, so we do not publish one here; use the contact details on FWP’s page.
Bring a clean boat. Montana requires aquatic invasive species inspections, and nonresidents need a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass.6 Rules and inspection station locations are on FWP’s AIS page.
What fish are in Placid Lake?
FWP’s FishMT species list for Placid Lake includes native bull trout, westslope cutthroat trout, mountain whitefish, largescale and longnose suckers, northern pikeminnow and peamouth, along with brown trout, kokanee, largemouth bass, pumpkinseed, rainbow trout and yellow perch.1
FWP stocks the lake regularly. In 2026 it planted 11,900 westslope cutthroat trout on September 29, and it stocked cutthroat in each year from 2022 to 2025. The 2024 kokanee plant was 40,000 fish in May.1 No fish consumption advisory is listed for Placid Lake on FishMT.1
The pike and smallmouth bass rules
Here is something odd: FishMT’s species list for Placid does not include northern pike or smallmouth bass, but the 2026 regulations have special rules for both on this lake.13 We do not know why the list lags. What matters for anglers is the regulation:3
- Northern pike: kill any pike you catch immediately. Report the catch to FWP within 24 hours at 406-542-5500, and present the whole fish to FWP within 10 days.
- Smallmouth bass: kill immediately and present the whole fish to FWP within 10 days.
2026 regulations at a glance
| Species or method | 2026 rule on Placid Lake |
|---|---|
| Northern pike | Must be killed; report within 24 hours; present whole within 10 days |
| Smallmouth bass | Must be killed; present whole within 10 days |
| Largemouth bass | Catch-and-release only |
| Kokanee | 10 daily, 20 in possession |
| Kokanee snagging | Open October 15 to December 31 |
Regulations change every year. Read the current FWP regulations before fishing.3
Winter at Placid Lake
The state park drops to walk-in day use from December 1 to April 30.4 We have not found authoritative ice-in or ice-out dates for Placid Lake, so we do not publish any. If you plan to go out on the ice, ask locally and check with FWP first. Kokanee snagging stays open through December 31 under the 2026 rules.3
Property and zoning around Placid Lake
Missoula County has citizen-initiated zoning districts covering the Placid Lake area, listed as districts #8 and #8A.5 If you are looking at land near the lake, read the district rules on the county’s page and call Missoula County planning before you make plans for a lot. Our buying land guide covers the broader due diligence.
Nearby
- Seeley Lake: the lake by town, with a public swim beach at Big Larch Campground.
- Salmon Lake: the other state park lake in the valley.
- All lakes compared: size, depth, fish and access side by side.
Common questions
Is there a boat launch on Placid Lake?
How much does it cost to camp at Placid Lake State Park?
What do I do if I catch a northern pike in Placid Lake?
Can I keep largemouth bass from Placid Lake?
Is Placid Lake State Park open in winter?
Property for sale around Seeley Lake
Price reduced
Price reducedSources
- FishMT: Placid Lake (waterbody 41815), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Placid Lake bathymetric map, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Placid Lake State Park, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- Citizen-Initiated Zoning Districts, Missoula County
- Aquatic Invasive Species, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
- FishMT: Seeley Lake (waterbody 41808), Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Facts on this page were checked against the sources above on October 18, 2026. Spot something out of date? Send a correction.
Keep reading
Seeley Lake
Seeley Lake by the numbers: 1,031 acres, 125 feet deep. Where to launch and swim, boating and AIS rules, fish and 2026 regulations, loons, ice season and camping.
Salmon Lake
Salmon Lake south of Seeley Lake: 631 acres and 70 feet deep, a state park on Highway 83 with a launch and 24 campsites, kokanee stocking and 2026 pike rules.
Buying land around Seeley Lake
Due diligence for buying rural land or lakefront near Seeley Lake, MT: zoning, septic and wells, the sewer district, water rights, access, wildfire and lease lots.