Walleye, sauger and their hybrids between 15 inches and 18 inches, channel and flathead catfish between 15 inches and 24 inches and largemouth and smallmouth bass between 12 inches and 15 inches may be kept . The following dams are closed to all boating, sailing, floating, and swimming or closed to all public access as marked by boat restraining systems or signs. The auction will benefit the Bad Rock Canyon Conservation Project. Browns Lake, Powell County: Closed to all boats from April 1 to July 15, that portion of lake as marked or posted. Anyone 13 and 14 years old may operate a motorboat or a personal watercraft powered by a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower only if: A person must be 18 years or older to rent a motorboat or a personal watercraft powered by a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower. The permanent decal must be displayed on the left (port) bow behind the boats number. Phone (877) 256-3252 or (406) 622-4015. Big Bear Lake 13. CAMPGROUND HOST. A "no-wake" speed must be maintained when within 200 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, non-motorized boat, or anchored vessel. All colored lights must be visible for a distance of at least one mile. There is also a popular launch on Finley Point, a peninsula that is also part of Flathead Lake State Park. Allrequired equipment (see below)and a copy of the rental agreement must be on board rented vessels. Letters of application must be sent at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event. give his or her name, address and identification of the boat in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any damaged property. Every inboard gasoline engine must be equipped with a backfire flame arrester that is securely attached to the carburetor and in proper working order. Similar to a temporary flight restriction for aircraft, the boating restriction creates a no-public-boating zone on the surface water in order to ensure public and firefighter safety during wildfire response. More restrictive noise standards are in effect for Flathead Lake (Flathead and Lake Counties), Echo Lake (Flathead County) and Swan Lake (Lake County) because of population density and heavy recreational use. Minimum legal size. 1,020' above the dam to 500' below the dam. The southern half of Flathead Lake is within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation. Any resident of the Flathead Indian Reservation can request bear spray for $10 when purchasing a 2021 Tribal recreation, camping, or fishing/hunting permit from our Fish, Wildlife & Recreation Conservation office in Polson. View the quick reference onUnderstanding Montana's Required Boat Decals. Thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper Thompson lakes for restrictions., Lincoln County. Find First Available Date. Flathead. Now here's a place so special that the locals prefer we not even write about it, fearing we'll encourage too many folks to visit. #33 very protected, easy to access, power available, 20 ft. slip for powerboat or smaller pontoon, CC&R's require length restrictions, call for . View Our Charters Lake Tours Like to explore expansive Flathead Lake and Wild Horse Island on a leisurely, scenic boat tour? Latest Posts. A fire extinguisher is classified by the type of fire it is meant to extinguish and its size. Morrell Lake, Missoula County: Closed to all motorboats, Myron Lake, Myron Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes., Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Park Lake, Jefferson County: Closed to all motorboats, Pelican Point Fishing Access Ponds, Cascade County: Closed to all motorboats. The event attracts thousands of fishermen and while anglers and Indians agree that the more macks caught, the better, there is concern the population is still increasing. This brings us to an even larger fish story: According to popular legend, there's the Flathead Monster, with more than 79 reported sightings since first being seen in 1889. Fishing regulations around Flathead Lake A fishing license allows a person to fish for and possess any fish or aquatic invertebrate authorized by the state's fishing regulations. If you keep these things in mind, you should have a good trip.". Beaverhead River, Beaverhead, Madison Counties: See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents. If unavoidable travel at no wake speed or at the minimum speed necessary to maintain upstream progress. It's located east of Polson. There are five public landing sites on the island. The decision has left some. Home . When two boats are meeting at right angles, the boat on the right (the privileged vessel) has the right of way. Learn more about our fishing charters and get in on the action! One statistic that concerns everyone on Flathead Lake is the number of mackinaw trout, also called lake trout. The lake itself is ringed by vacation homes of increasing size and elegance, as more and more individuals from outside Montana build exotic homes on the lake. . We are happy to announce that the Harbor Grille in Lakeside will host the 2022 Flathead Lake Boat Show. All recreational activities on Tribal owned lands require a non-member person over the age of 11 to purchase a Tribal Conservation Permit. Carpenter Lake (Tetrault Lake), Lincoln County: Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower, Carter Ponds (Upper & Lower), Fergus County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Cooney Reservoir, Carbon County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in all of Willow Creek arm as buoyed; and in North Shore and Marshall Cover within 300 feet of dock as buoyed. The largest fresh water lake in the West, Flathead Lake provides miles of great boating. This is considered a spectacular place for hiking and the trails are relatively easy. ft 1 bedroom 1 bed Sleeps 12 1 bathroom 1 full bath Spaces Kitchen Deck/Patio Dining Area And this brings us to a Lake Flathead fish story. It is necessary for all persons on the Reservation utilizing any type of marine watercraft, whether it be motorized or non-motorized or personal flotation device, to adhere to the emergency closure. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Boating Laws Resource Page; Boating Law Enforcement. Swan River, Lake County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed from the mouth of Swan Lake upstream to Porcupine Bridge approximately 4.5 miles. However, note that you can still fish the south end of Flathead Lake for a total fee of $21 if you are a resident of Montana. It is a large, naturally occurring freshwater lake in Montana that is more than 200 square miles in size. The app is available on both Apple and Google platforms. The following public use restrictions are in effect for reasons of public health, safety or protection of property. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am. All boats of closed construction (the engine or fuel compartments are not open to the atmosphere) and which use gasoline as fuel must be equipped with a ventilation system to remove explosive vapors from the bilges of engine and fuel tank compartments. The Flathead River flows along Polson's shoreline for four miles until it comes to the Kerr Dam, which provides hydroelectric power to the nearby area. an injury requiring medical treatment beyond first-aid, render practical assistance, without putting self or others in danger, to persons affected by the accident. Picnicing. It is roughly 34 miles long and five miles wide. It's a favorite place for fishing guide Mike Howe: "Big Arm State Park is perhaps the nicest and least utilized state park, especially for day users," he says. they show evidence of completing another state or organization's NASBLA approved boating safety course; or. The give-way vessel on the left must slow down and permit the privileged vessel to pass. copyright 2023 Exception: (1) Motorized watercraft of 20 hp or less are permitted from the headwaters to the confluence with the Clark Fork River from October 1 to January 31. Salton Sea 4. Hyalite Reservoir, Gallatin County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. The largest lake is Flathead Lake, which covers approximately 123,000 acres with 62,000 acres located within the Flathead Indian Reservation boundary. Montana's Flathead Lake comes with lots of statistics: With its 161-mile shoreline, it's the largest natural lake west of the Mississippi; one of the 300 largest lakes in the world; and it's more than 380 feet deep, just to name a few. Finley Point Unit - Flathead Lake State Park, MT. Boats going downstream have the right of way over boats going upstream. The lake was formed by constructing a 2-mile-long dam across the Big Muddy River floodplain. Operating a vessel in a manner which may endanger the personal health or damage the property of any person is considered negligent operation. A motorboat more than 26 feet long must have on board a bell and a whistle or horn capable of making a sound that is audible for one mile. MCA 23-2-5defines the laws for registering and operating watercraft in Montana. Do not operate a boat within 75 feet of a person engaged in fishing or hunting waterfowl unless it is unavoidable. With clear water surrounded by pine forests and mountains, Flathead Lake shows why it's part of Montana's big sky country. Crater Lake 3. Devil's Elbow Campground from the shore to 100 feet into the river channel or as buoyed. The latest validation decals are red and willexpire February 28, 2023. Individuals and nonprofit organizations may identify hazards on state waterways by placing a sign or marker at the hazard. Enjoy camping in the trees, picnicking on the grassy area overlooking the lake, or hiking through the mature forest where wildflowers abound from spring to late fall. The boating season is approximately June 10th through October 10th depending on the lake level. The river is wide and frequently quite deep. Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit with a creel limit of 10 fish per day. No permits are required for floating use. Georgetown Lake, Deerlodge, Granite Counties: Boats must travel at no-wake speed from the mouth of Stuart Mill Bay as marked by buoys and continuing to shore. "Big Arm is clean and safe and convenient, it's one of the nicest facilities on the southwest end of the lake. It is illegal to discharge any garbage, refuse, waste, or sewage into or near the water. Old Faithful Watersports is conveniently located at the northern tip of Flathead Lake, in beautiful Bigfork, Montana. Upsata Lake, Missoula County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Fishing: Popular with locals for large rainbow trout and kokanee. Fishing only six to eight feet from each other, we both set the hook at the same time, and reeled in a fish that had my tube jig in its mouth, and her jigging spoon in its lower jaw. Flathead Lake angler and guide Mike Howe shows off one of the lake's prized, though controversial, catches: a lake trout. Boaters are responsible for any damage caused by their wake. If nothing else, there's a neat tee-shirt you can buy. All parking regulations are listed on your current dockage lease. Lake Tahoe 2. Located on the lake's northeast corner, Bigfork, Montana, has a population of 1,400 residents and is home to 50 shops,antique stores, restaurants, and more than a dozen art galleries. The 1953 Century Resorter is an 18' boat, and ready to float Flathead Lake! Grille in Lakeside will host the 2022 Flathead Lake State Park and five miles wide sites the. Lake shows why it 's one of the nicest facilities on the southwest end of the Salish! Is classified by the type of fire it is illegal to discharge any garbage, refuse,,! Approximately June 10th through October 10th depending on the right ( the privileged ). Or ( 406 ) 622-4015 see below ) and a copy of the rental agreement be... Be visible for a distance of at least one mile the water the boat the! 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