But it gets tricky when strong east winds are blowing. See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents. 150' above the dam to 900' below the dam. . The following list of waterbodies have restrictions on the type of watercraft allowed, define no-wake speed areas, and identify lakes with water-ski directional rules. Flathead County Road and Bridge Department is a department within the county government that is under the direct control of the Flathead County Board of County Commissioners. Now, he's already facing daily backlash about having it removed. Exception:motorboats less than 26 feet long that are propelled by an outboard motor and are completely open construction (no closed spaces where gasoline fumes may be trapped) are not required to have a fire extinguisher. 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. . Polson, MT 59860 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. Anyone towed by a boat must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD). [View map of Restrictions (PDF)], Clark Fork River (Harpers Bridge FAS to St. Johns FAS), Missoula, Mineral Counties: Closed to all motorized watercraft from Harpers Bridge Fishing Access Site to St. Johns Fishing Access Site. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am. The rock flathead is another species found in Victorian waters, but it is less commonly encountered by recreational anglers. (2) Motorized watercraft towing a skier from a dock or the shore. Hyalite Reservoir, Gallatin County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Water skiers must not approach within 50 feet of swimmers or enter a designated swimming area. Utah Lake 14. 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. The Mission Mountains reaching almost 6,000 feet high are visible in the east and the mile-high Salish Mountains are to the west. Swan Lake, Lake County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, including northern outlet of Swan Lake approximately 3/4 of a mile south to the southern tip of the southern most island or as buoyed. Still, it's a great place for boating when winds are whipping up the rest of the lake." Front Country Campgrounds are exempted from the Stage I campfire restrictions. From Flathead Lake, there's usually a snow-capped mountain in sight. There are a lot of other reasons given and they can be found at Montana-Sucks.com. The boating season is approximately June 10th through October 10th depending on the lake level. All floaters are limited to a total of 2 launches at or near each official access site each day. Earlier this year, the tribes suggested allowing gill nets to land more lake trout, but this idea has sparked a huge debate about how many native fish may also be caught in a gill net in an effort to reduce the lake trout numbers. Please check with destination park staff for local restrictions. Certain Tribal campgrounds and recreation areas may have special regulations, which are posted, on site. The permanent decal must be displayed on the left (port) bow behind the boats number. San Luis Reservoir 5. Authorized officers of Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks enforce Montana's boat and water safety laws. With years of guiding experience and a genuine passion for fishing and people, we guarantee you will have a wonderful trip. McDonald is spokesman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes who manage the Flathead Indian Reservation on the southern half of the lake. Some waterways have multiple restrictions that apply, so be sure to check all of the following sections for the body of water you plan to use. The boat owner will receive one permanent registration decal as proof of payment of fees in lieu of tax. The give-way vessel on the left must slow down and permit the privileged vessel to pass. The app is available on both Apple and Google platforms. No permits are required for floating use. 50230 US HWY 93 Ste. . Beavertail Pond, Missoula County: Manually powered or electric motors only. Sailboats 12 feet and longer and allmotorboatsandpersonal watercraftmust be registered, numbered, and have two decals (a permanent decal and validation decal). There can be several days of beautiful, calm, sunny weather and then a storm may come in from out of nowhere. Vessels 16 feet and longer must have one Type I, II or III life jacket for each person on board. Many people in Montana know the beauty of their state and understand the economic benefit realized by tourism dollars. Between sunset and sunrise and at other times of restricted visibility, vessels in operation must display navigational lights. +l^PrgXdgcZr1'[v8B(bAr~;5-?~u McGregor Lake - Middle . He's currently an executive editor for Westwood One Radio. It's located east of Polson. Personal watercraft prohibited on the headwaters of the Missouri River downstream to its confluence with Prewett Creek, except in Missouri River reservoirs, and including all tributaries but not their reservoirs. The following lakes located with the Thompson Chain of Lakes in Lincoln county: Crystal Lake - Horseshoe Lake. WESTERN BROKERS, Judith Fountain. The largest lake is Flathead Lake, which covers approximately 123,000 acres with 62,000 acres located within the Flathead Indian Reservation boundary. Individuals and nonprofit organizations may identify hazards on state waterways by placing a sign or marker at the hazard. List of Lakes Less Than 35 Acres in Size with Public Access. Lakes Greater than 35 Acres(PDF) Any equipment that does not fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur must be parked outside the campground in an area designated by the park manager. Tribal members can request $10 bear spray with their Tribal ID. People from all over the world search our website for Flathead Lake real estate. . ARM 12.8.212defines the rules for boating and swimming areas. A white plastic milk jug attached by a cord to the hazard may also be used. Features concrete boat ramp and a wheelchair-accessible fishing pier. Gates of the Mountains Marina Marina within 300 feet of docks or as buoyed. 600' above the dam to 700' below the dam. Anglers using float tubes, belly boats, pontoon boats or kick boats, read the. Sailboats 12 feet long and longer and all motorboats and personal watercraft must be registered at the local county treasurers office. Browns Lake, Powell County: Closed to all boats from April 1 to July 15, that portion of lake as marked or posted. They withdrew the idea in April so the state, local anglers, fishing guides, and representatives of the tribes have decided to come up with an alternative no later than September 30. If all goes according to plan, by the end of the year the island will have about five horses in its population along with the longtime resident mule deer and big horn sheep. Yellowstone Lake 10. Big Bear Lake 13. B/+,{N In the evenings northern pike are landed in the northern part of Flathead. These rules of the road are the traffic laws of Montana's waterways. Flathead River (South Fork), Flathead County: Closed to all motorboats from Spotted Bear Creek into the wilderness. The Type V life jacket must be worn at all times to be acceptable. Contact the County Sheriff's Office or the federal agency for the area where you will be boating to find out if any additional regulations are in effect. All parking regulations are listed on your current dockage lease. From July 1 to September 15 no-wake speed or the minimum operating speed necessary to progress upstream from where the Swan River flows out of Swan Lake in Lake County to where Bear Creek enters the Swan River in Flathead County. Don't take a chance. Closed to boating, sailing, floating, swimming, personal watercraft use, and waterfowl hunting. The application fee is $5. Seeley Lake, Missoula County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in the northern most portion of lake from where Deer Creek flows into the west side of the lake, following a straight line across the lake to where Rice Creek flows into the east side of the lake and continuing north to shore, as marked. [View map of Restrictions (PDF)], Clark Fork River (Kelly Island FAS/Grass Valley Ditch Diversion to Harper's Bridge FAS), Missoula County: Closed to all motorized watercraft from Kelly Island (Spurgin Road) Fishing Access Site boat ramp and the Grass Valley Ditch Diversion to Harper's Bridge Fishing Access Site. Letters of application must be sent at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Topless Lake, Topless Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Upper Carter Pond, Fergus County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. All non-members must have on their person; whenever engaged in recreation activities on Tribally owned lands of the Reservation, a valid Flathead Reservation Use Permit, and any additional bird, fishing, or camping stamps as required. Motorboats generally should stay clear of sailboats and manually powered vessels and not create a wake which may cause them trouble or to be swamped. It may take some discussion and planning, but the rewards of making such a trip to big sky country will be huge an up-close look at some precious Indian territory, vistas that will amaze you, and a connection to one of America's treasures. Fitzpatrick Lake, Toole County: Closed to all motorboats. Sailboats and manually powered vessels have the right of way over motorized boats in nearly all situations. The certificate of number must be carried on board the boat and be available for inspection whenever the boat is in operation. 100' above the dam to 100' below the outlet works. One statistic that concerns everyone on Flathead Lake is the number of mackinaw trout, also called lake trout. Jet Ski Ramp and Boat Ramp included. The explosive vapors are heavier than air and accumulate in the bottom of the boat without proper venting, creating an extremely hazardous condition. Do not operate your boat within 20 feet of the exterior boundary of a designated swimming area marked by white and orange buoys. 406-212-7175 1-866-351-8485 Lake Woodlands Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am. The duct should not be located so that a normal accumulation of bilge water would obstruct it. Cynthia Bras of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes frequently speaks with visitors about their plans for the day. Mail to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Boating Law Enforcement, P.O. If two or more persons are occupying a sailboard, each person must wear a life jacket. A weekend boater gets hung out to dry when she joins the enthusiastic fray of Radio Control Sailboat Racing. There are several commercial outfitters that offer float trips. This reservoir is one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and other recreational opportunities. Beaverhead River, Beaverhead, Madison Counties: See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents. Location: On Route 35, 7 miles south of Kalispell, stretching for 30 miles. Closed to all boating, sailing, floating, swimming, personal watercraft use, and waterfowl hunting. Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower. Boat Ramp. Boat owners should prepare their vessel for launching before parking at the boat ramp, should launch the vessel quickly, and move the tow vehicle so that others may use the area. When fishing the Middle Fork of the Flathead River from park lands or bridges, a Montana fishing license is required, and state regulations are applicable. All of the partners responding to and working to suppress the Boulder 2700 Fire appreciate the publics cooperation to adhere to this temporary boating restriction. [View map of Restrictions (PDF)]. Lake Springfield has earned a reputation for producing large numbers of nice flathead catfish every year. Holter Lake (upper), Lewis & Clark County: No water skiing on Saturday and Sunday and all legal holidays from the mouth of the canyon on upper Holter Lake to Gates of the Mountains near Mann Gulch, as marked. All motorboats, sailboats, andpersonal watercraftthat are numbered must display two validation decals, one on each side of the boats bow behind the boats number. Lake Arrowhead 9. Zorinsky Lake 255 acres- 156 th and F streets in west Omaha. Validation decals are issued in 3-year blocks. Learn more about our fishing charters and get in on the action! Boaters operating on Waterton Lake who land in the United States are subject to US Customs regulations and are required to check-in prior to traveling to Goat Haunt USA using the cbp roam application. Upper Thompson Lake, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in middle and lower lobes. Concrete boat launch. "Montana is known for fast changing weather," she tells them, "and here on the lake that's very true. Personal watercraft must follow the same rules and equipment requirements as other boats. Cibid Lake, Cibid Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Clark Fork River & Tributaries (Headwaters to Kelly Island FAS/Grass Valley Ditch Diversion), Deer Lodge, Granite, Missoula, Powell Counties: Closed to all motorized watercraft from the headwaters to Kelly Island (Spurgin Road) Fishing Access Site boat ramp and the Grass Valley Ditch Diversion. Exception:Missouri River down river from Headwaters State Park. Whether you bring your own boat or rent locally, getting out on the Flathead River is a great way to experience this special place. Flathead (all species except dusky flathead) Common name/s. be painted on or attached to each side of the bow of the vessel; be vertical block letters at least 3 inches in height; be a color contrasting with the background color of the boat; be as high above the water line as practical and still be visible; contain a space or hyphen separating the "MT" from the number/letter suffix. A vast variety of recreational opportunities are available at Flathead Lake, drawing tourists from all over the globe. David Link - Kila/Smith Lake Advisory Paul Mutascio - Community Foundation for a Better Bigfork Linda Tutvedt - Flathead Combined Training Association Call to Order A meeting of the Board of Directors for Flathead County Weed, Parks & Recreation was held in the conference room at 311 FFA Drive, Kalispell, Montana on August 25, 2014. The decision has left some. Under an agreement known as the 1855 Hellgate Treaty, the tribes own 1.3 million acres of the more than 20 million acres on which they originally lived. Validation decals may be obtained, free of charge, at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional/area officesor online: Orange validation decals will expire February 28, 2026. Youths 13 and 14 years of age may not operate those vessels without possessing a valid Montanamotorboat operator's safety certificateor evidence of completing an approved boating safety course, or unless accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. If the personal watercraft is equipped with a lanyard-type cord that shuts off the engine if the operator falls off the craft, the lanyard must be attached to the operator's wrist or PFD. Beavertail Pond, Missoula County: boats must travel at no-wake speed in Middle and lower lobes slow and. And nonprofit organizations may identify hazards on state waterways by placing a sign or at... 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