Quake Lake.gif)
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 Quake
Lake is one of the more interesting natural features in Montana.
Quake Lake was formed when an earthquake measuring 7.1 on
the Richter Scale rocked this part of Montana on August 17th,
1959. The earthquake was so strong that it triggered a massive
landslide on Sheep Mountain, on the western end of Madison
Canyon (nine miles downstream from Hebgen Dam), which blocked
the Madison
River completely. Additionally, the north shore of Hebgen
Lake, which lies just upstream, dropped an amazing 19 feet,
cracking Hebgen Dam in four places and creating massive waves
on the lake that spilled over the dam and raced downstream
in a massive flood. The landslide also caused tornado force
winds that fanned out in front of the landslide and flood,
destroying most everything in its path. Three different sections
of Highway 287 slid into the newly formed lake and numerous
cabins along the former Madison River were damaged or completely
destroyed.
The result of the
quake is that twenty-eight people died from the landslide
and five more died from the resulting flood. The Madison River
below the landslide dried up completely for a time, resulting
in significant fish kill. The Army Corps of Engineers, in
a race against time, blasted a channel through the landslide,
allowing the Madison River to resume its flows before a catastrophic
flood would have occurred if the newly formed lake had crested
over the landslide.
 Following
all of this, Quake Lake was formed. Quake Lake measures six
miles long and up to a third of a mile wide, and is more than
180 feet deep. It offers decent fly fishing for brown trout,
which are stocked yearly, along with rainbow trout. As Quake
Lake flooded much of the former Madison River canyon, thousands
of dead trees poke up through the lake. These trees, combined
with the countless trees that are completely submerged, provide
excellent cover and habitat for trout, although it can complicate
the fishing. Fly fishing can be excellent using dry flies
around all the dead standing timber.
The best fishing
on Quake Lake occurs in late spring and early summer, and
again later in the summer and fall. During the height of run-off,
the lake can turn cloudy, severely limiting fly fishing opportunities.
Access to the lake
is excellent. Shore fishing is possible from anywhere along
Highway 287, and a boat ramp also exists, although it is rather
hidden. Winds can occasionally be a problem on the lake, and
combined with a current and lots of hidden obstructions, Quake
Lake is less than ideal for float tubing. Instead, a fisherman
should strongly consider using either a motorboat (a boat
ramp exists half way down the lake off the highway) or using
an inflatable
kayak or traditional
canoe.
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