I have an opportunity to fish Fort Peck Lake for a week this spring. It's way bigger than anything else I've fished. It's the 5th largest reservoir in the US and has as much shoreline as the coast of California. That's way more than I can wrap my head around. I'll be based out of the Hell Creek campground. It's on one of the big arms in the south center of the lake. This seems like it may be the trip of a lifetime if I can get over the decision paralysis. How would you approach someplace like this? How do you estimate your gas range on longer excursions? Have any of you camped on your boat overnight?

14 minutes ago, MontanaBasser said:

Have any of you camped on your boat overnight?

Yes, and I dont recommend it.

That is a lot of water.

https://usa.fishermap.org/depth-map/fort-peck-lake/

I'd probably do some map study, watch the weather closely,

and then pick my furthest spot from where I put in and go there first.

Then fish my way back.

On waters of this size, I prefer to use the 30/70 fuel rule.

Meaning I'm willing to use 30% of my gas going out to that first/furthest spot

which leaves me 70% to get home.

The closer either of those numbers gets to 50%, the less I like it.

Good Luck.

A-Jay

1 hour ago, MontanaBasser said:

How do you estimate your gas range on longer excursions?

I'm guessing that there are bass everywhere. Why spend time and gas to fish miles away?

That western shoreline (facing east) looks good for spring. Gradient isn't as steep, gets lots of sun, still access to deep water.

It's not so much the size of the lake it's the amount of fishable water. Lake Champlain (my home) is a huge lake by all accounts. But it has a lot of "a waste of time" water. Find the fishy areas and go to town. Want your mind blown... go to the St Lawrence. Every inch from Massena to The Duck islands in Ontario is fishable.

Study google earth for the most likely areas within your range to fish. You can use the measuring tool get an idea of distance you can safely travel and be productive.

An app like i-Boating: Marine Charts & GPS are excellent tools where you can download any lake and see channels, mark routes and measure distances. All this information without the additional “lure selection “, “areas to fish” and such like a BassForecast which would be another app I would use for weather, wind and moon phases.

In combination of these apps you can mark likely areas and routes and have specific gps information when you get there ready to go.

Another method is to research local fishing and tournament reports.

A couple shots from the i-Boating app and information it provides.

I’d break it down the same way I do any other lake. Figure out what stage the bass are going to be (roughly) at the time you’ll be there and spend a little time riding around. For something that size, break the lake down by broad area- top, middle, and bottom third. The lake is 140 miles and even if you could guarantee glass flat water you’re not going to spend hours running end to end. Pick the section you’re in and break it down. There are the wintering areas, where are the spawning grounds, what are the paths the fish will take in between. I’d work on eliminating water for one reason or another. Based on where you are, I’d probably rule out the entire dry arm area just because of distance (unless you learn that is the premier section for bass that time of year and you’re willing to trailer over). Same with the far upper river. Looking at Navionics, there is plenty of interesting water structure in the arm you’re in. You’ve got gradual points and shallower bays on one side and depth on the other. Shortly out into the main lake you’ve on the creek channel side of the lake so you have lots of depth and presumably current nearby.

You say spring. Is that the first of April or the end of May? That is going to have a big impact on the water temps and what the fish are doing.

I’d look up recent tournaments in that rough time period and see how they scored. If it takes 20# to win in time you’re going then great.

@A-Jay funny how your gas methodology matches the scuba diving rule of thirds too. One third of your gas getting out, one third to get back to the boat, one third as spare just in case. If you get back close to the boat you can use some of that last third.

4 minutes ago, casts_by_fly said:

@A-Jay funny how your gas methodology matches the scuba diving rule of thirds too. One third of your gas getting out, one third to get back to the boat, one third as spare just in case. If you get back close to the boat you can use some of that last third.

Next to shining a prop, the last thing an old Boatswain’s Mates wants to do, is run out of gas.

#rookiemove

A-Jay

I tend to gravitate toward structure and love fishing humps or steep drop offs so I would start there for me. I suggest fishing spots that meet your strengths/comfort zone. If that means beating the bank or cruising point to point or whatever it is, fish what you’re used to and comfortable way of fishing.

And the 3rd out 3rd in and a 3rd in reserve rule was very good advice given here

On 2/16/2026 at 9:26 AM, scaleface said:

Yes, and I dont recommend it.

That sounds like a story I'd like to hear.

5 hours ago, MontanaBasser said:

That sounds like a story I'd like to hear.

I was thinking the same thing … haha

6 hours ago, MontanaBasser said:

That sounds like a story I'd like to hear.

50 minutes ago, Jigfishn10 said:

I was thinking the same thing … haha

Not much of a story . Just didnt get any sleep. couldnt get comfortable and biting flies.

31 minutes ago, scaleface said:

Not much of a story . Just didnt get any sleep. couldnt get comfortable and biting flies.

Now I wish you made up a story ... haha

2 hours ago, scaleface said:

Not much of a story . Just didnt get any sleep. couldnt get comfortable and biting flies.

I definitely wouldn't try it without a bug bivy.