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Montana › Musselshell County › Lavina › Des Moines Lakes

Des Moines Lakes

Lavina, Montana — Musselshell County.

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5.5Surface acres

Surface area: The USGS National Hydrography Dataset outline (NHD Permanent ID 78444459).

Getting there

Flying here

The closest airport with scheduled passenger flights to Des Moines Lakes, plus larger airports within about 150 miles:

Driving here

Pick up a rental car at the airport you fly into and drive to Des Moines Lakes.

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Staying here

Look for hotels in and around Lavina, MT.

Search hotels near Lavina, MT on Klook

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Airports with scheduled airline service from OurAirports (large and medium airports); larger airports are FAA large, medium and small hubs by FAA CY2025 enplanements ("major airport" = FAA large hub). Distances are straight-line from the lake's center, not driving distance; road routes are longer.

Things to do near Des Moines Lakes

Look up tours, activities and attraction tickets around Lavina, MT on Klook.

Browse things to do near Lavina, MT on Klook

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Boat rentals near Des Moines Lakes

Browse boat, pontoon and kayak rentals and charters listed on GetMyBoat.

Boat rentals in Montana on GetMyBoat

Listings, prices and availability are set by GetMyBoat and its hosts. Check the lake's own boating rules before you go.

Location & fast facts

Where Des Moines Lakes is in Montana

The red circle marks Des Moines Lakes.

Fast facts

About Des Moines Lakes

  • County: Musselshell
  • Nearest city: Lavina (about 11.8 mi from the lake)
  • Mapped as: Lake or pond (USGS National Hydrography Dataset)
  • Distance: about 55 mi from Billings and 120 mi from Bozeman, straight-line (not driving distance)

Towns and counties: U.S. Census Bureau boundaries overlaid on the USGS lake outline (Montana: incorporated places touching the lake, otherwise the nearest one).

Fishing in Montana

Official FWP pages. Rules and fees change; check before you go.

Lake map

Des Moines Lakes shoreline

0.05 mileN

No public access sites are listed for this water in the OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used) data.

Shoreline: USGS National Hydrography Dataset (NHD Waterbody, Permanent ID 78444459), public domain. State outline: U.S. Census Bureau TIGERweb. Points: OpenStreetMap boat ramps (no statewide agency ramp layer used). Interactive map: Leaflet with © OpenStreetMap contributors. Not for navigation.

Conditions right now

Air temperature & conditions (nearest NWS station)Loading…
Fetching the latest National Weather Service observation…

Live from the National Weather Service API for the lake's coordinates (46.5426, -108.8637). The nearest station may be several miles away. NWS forecast for Des Moines Lakes. No live water-temperature sensor is shown because we haven't found a public one for this lake.

Sun, moon & best fishing times

Sun & moon at Des Moines Lakes

Best fishing times

Major periodMinor periodDaylight

    Based on solunar theory, an estimate. Major periods (about 2 hours) center on when the moon is directly overhead or underfoot; minor periods (about 1 hour) center on moonrise and moonset. The 0–100 activity score rises during those periods and gets a boost near sunrise and sunset and around the new and full moon. Weather, water temperature and pressure often matter more. Sun and moon times are calculated in your browser from the lake's coordinates with standard astronomy formulas, shown in MT (America/Denver), and accurate to within a few minutes.

    Fishing gear for Des Moines Lakes

    Basic freshwater tackle for a day on Des Moines Lakes. These open Amazon search results; check your state's fishing rules for the water before you buy bait or tackle.

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

    Contact & official info

    Questions about Des Moines Lakes

    How big is Des Moines Lakes?

    Des Moines Lakes covers about 6 acres in Lavina, Montana (Musselshell County).

    What towns are on Des Moines Lakes?

    Des Moines Lakes touches Lavina in Musselshell County, Montana.

    Share a tip or fishing report

    Know Des Moines Lakes? Tell us about the launch, parking, where they're biting or anything a first-time visitor should know. Tips go privately to the LakeRipple editor; nothing is posted automatically. Helpful tips may be featured on this page (we'll use your first name only if you give one).

    Lakes & ponds nearby

    Straight-line distance between lake centers. All Montana lakes & ponds · All waters in Lavina