Spring at Seeley Lake

Spring at Seeley Lake is short and changeable. April is still half winter, with an average of 4.5 inches of snow and about 24 nights at or below freezing; by May, average highs reach 64.5 F and snow is mostly gone from the valley floor.¹ Lakes are open to fishing and loons arrive to nest, but many forest roads and higher trailheads are still snowbound.

What is spring weather like?

NOAA 1991 to 2020 normals, Seeley Lake RS.¹

The snowpack disappears fast. The Western Regional Climate Center’s long-term record for the same station shows average snow depth of about 16 inches in March, about 3 inches in April and none in May.² Even so, May still averages about 12 freezing nights, so campers should bring a warm sleeping bag.¹

When does fishing open?

Under FWP’s 2026 regulations, lakes in the Western District, which includes the Seeley Lake chain, are open to fishing all year. Rivers and streams open on the third Saturday in May.³ Lake-specific rules vary (Placid Lake, for example, has special northern pike reporting requirements), so read the current regulations for each lake before you fish. Our lakes guides cover each lake’s species and rules.

If you bring a boat, Montana requires aquatic invasive species inspections, and nonresidents need a Vessel AIS Prevention Pass.¹³

When do campgrounds open?

• Placid Lake State Park and Salmon Lake State Park campgrounds open May 1.⁶⁷ Before that, Placid Lake is walk-in day use only (December 1 to April 30).⁶
• Lake Inez Campground, a small Forest Service campground about 9 miles north of town, is listed as open year-round, with no potable water.⁸

For opening dates at other Forest Service campgrounds, including Big Larch on Seeley Lake, check with the Seeley Lake Ranger District at 406-677-2233.¹¹

Can I hike in spring?

Lower-elevation walking is possible, but many trailheads sit on Forest Service roads that can stay snowbound into spring, including the roads toward Clearwater Lake and Morrell Falls. Call the ranger district before you drive out.¹¹ Higher trails such as Pyramid Pass are better saved for later in the year; ask the ranger district about snow.

The Seeley Creek Nordic trails stop being groomed after March 31, and the skiers-only rule ends at the same time.¹² Compare all the trails on our trails page.

Loons return and nest

Spring is loon season. The Montana Loon Society says nesting begins in May and is critical through May and June, and that the Clearwater drainage holds the highest concentration of nesting loons in Montana.⁴ The state has only about 65 nesting pairs, so each nest matters. Seeley Lake was the base for the Loon Ranger program when it was piloted in 2000.⁵

When you paddle or fish, keep well away from nesting areas.

Bear rules start March 1

The Forest Service food and wildlife attractant storage order takes effect March 1 each year and runs through December 31.¹⁰ From that date on, food, garbage and other attractants must be stored in a bear-resistant way when unattended on the surrounding national forests. Carry bear spray on any trail and read our wildlife and bear safety guide.

Spring events

The Seeley Lake Community Foundation’s Change Your Pace Challenge happens each May; the Foundation reports it raised $158,000 in 2026.⁹ The Loon and Fish Festival was originally a Memorial Day weekend event (it was running by 1992) but recent editions have been held in late July (see summer).⁵ See our events page for what is scheduled.

Getting here in spring

Spring storms can still bring snow to Highway 83. Check Montana 511 (call 511 or visit 511mt.net) for road conditions before you drive.¹⁴