flathead lake boat restrictions

Our RV Resort has 60 spacious lots right across the street from Flathead Lake in Big Arm Montana. Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Bear Creek to the confluence of the South Fork. An accident must be reported immediately to the local sheriffs office or game warden if it caused: The operator of a boat involved in a collision, accident, or other casualty must: Boating accident report forms are available from the county sheriff's office, game wardens, or anyMontana Fish, Wildlife & Parks office. At idle speed, exhaust noise may not be in excess of 90 decibels measured one meter from the muffler. 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. Boat Launch/Marina: No Marina. McDonald is spokesman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes who manage the Flathead Indian Reservation on the southern half of the lake. Lake Hefner 17. The Mission Mountains reaching almost 6,000 feet high are visible in the east and the mile-high Salish Mountains are to the west. Certain exceptions are made for state-sanctioned regattas or boat races and by special permit. CAMPGROUND HOST. Boat Tours - Flathead Harbor at Lakeside - Restaurant in Lakeside, MT Skip to main content Flathead Harbor at Lakeside Harbor Grille Harbor Grille Menu Boat Tours Daily Cruises Charters Calendar Marina Lodging Edgewater Resort RV Park Cabins Motel Amenities Rates FAQ More Harbor Grille Harbor Grille Menu Boat Tours Daily Cruises Charters Calendar The Flathead and Swan rivers, both of which run through Bigfork, feed fresh water into Flathead Lake year-round. No vessel of any type nor swimming are permitted within 100 yards of the intake structure. The rock flathead is another species found in Victorian waters, but it is less commonly encountered by recreational anglers. 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. Zorinsky Lake 255 acres- 156 th and F streets in west Omaha. Thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper Thompson lakes for restrictions., Lincoln County. The certificate of number must be carried on board the boat and be available for inspection whenever the boat is in operation. This is a large lake with large areas that have no sheltered spots so small boats can have difficulty getting in when the waves begin getting large, and they can get that way in a hurry. It's an oasis and provides a wonderful chance to slow down, step back, and soak it in.". 27cm. Anyone towed by a boat must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD). 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. Outfitter Clay Anderson is well known for sharing his enthusiasm and knowledge of fishing with all generations. There are a lot of other reasons given and they can be found at Montana-Sucks.com. Because of this, anglers will need to obtain a south Flathead Lake tribal license, which costs $12 and is available at most water-related businesses along the shoreline. 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 river is wide and frequently quite deep. The closed portion is described as Boulder Creek to Station Creek beginning at the shore and extending half a mile out into Flathead Lake. 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. Find Boat Slip in For Sale in Kalispell, MT. 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 boat owner is responsible for permanently affixing the HIN number on the boat and having the boat inspected by a peace officer. Homemade boats or boats manufactured before 1972 that require registration must first have a hull identification number. When the question comes up about where your next boat-and-trailer destination should be, vote "Montana." Federal, State, and Private jurisdictions under Stage I restrictions are: Flathead National Forest including the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, in Flathead, Lake, Missoula, Lewis and Clark, and Powell Counties, Montana. Flathead River (North Fork), Flathead County: Closed to all motorboats from the Canadian border to Camas bridge. 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 . Beaverhead River, Beaverhead, Madison Counties: See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents. But these numbers don't do justice to the most-talked-about Flathead characteristic: It is stunning. The sign or marker must: Understanding Montana's Required Boat Decals, Montana motorboat operator's safety certificate, Personal Watercraft Informational Brochure. Closed to all public access below ordinary high-water mark from the dam to 100' below the waterfalls. 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. Due to the state of emergency that exists on the Flathead Reservation as a result of the threat of extreme fire weather and upon advice from the Incident Management Team of the Boulder 2700 Fire to ensure public and firefighter safety, the Tribal Council of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes has passed Resolution 21-100, which is a temporary emergency closure on a portion of Flathead Lake. Personal watercraft must follow the same rules and equipment requirements as other boats. Letters of application must be sent at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Non-motorized sailboats less than 12 feet long and manually propelled boats, regardless of length, are exempt from registration and taxation. Vessels 16 feet and longer must have one Type I, II or III life jacket for each person on board. The Great Salt Lake 6. [View map of Restrictions (PDF)], Clark Fork River (St. Johns FAS to mouth of Fish Creek), Mineral County: Closed to all motorized watercraft From St. John's Fishing Access Site to the mouth of Fish Creek (also known as the Alberton Gorge Whitewater section). The decision has left some. 2 bds; 2 ba; 3,059 sqft - Active. Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit with a creel limit of 10 fish per day. . The permanent decal must be displayed on the left (port) bow behind the boats number. Ryan Reservoir, Cascade County: Closed to all boating, sailing, floating, swimming, personal watercraft use, and waterfowl hunting. Boating registration is covered under:MCA 61-3-107andMCA 23-2-508. Owners of Discover . All boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles must fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur provided. Flathead. Parking. The application fee is $5. Steinbeck went on to write about his trip two years later in his novel, Travels with Charley; In Search of America. While a spectacular game fish, it's also one of 15 nonnative fish whose population has increased to the point it threatens the 10 native species, including the bull trout, now considered a "threatened species." All watercraft operating on public lakes and reservoirsgreater than 35 surface acres within the westernfishing district are limited to no-wake speed from theshoreline to 200 feet from the shoreline. List of Lakes Less Than 35 Acres in Size with Public Access. Other dams not listed here may also be posted for restricted access. . Savage Lake, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed during the hours of 5 AM 10 AM and 7 PM 11 PM each day. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am. operating a boat in a careless manner including such things as weaving through congested traffic, passing unreasonably or unnecessarily close to another vessel, and buzzing or wetting down others, crossing or jumping the wake of another boat within 100 yards of the vessel or within 100 yards of a water skier being towed by the vessel (except when directly entering or leaving a marina or other watercraft docking/loading area), travel at a speed which does not permit bringing the boat to a stop within the assured clear distance ahead, a reckless approach to, departure from, or passage by a dock, ramp, diving board, or float. "There's lots of parking, a good ramp, and it's one of the closest ramps to Wild Horse. 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. 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. Please check with destination park staff for local restrictions. Flathead Lake angler and guide Mike Howe shows off one of the lake's prized, though controversial, catches: a lake trout. All watercraft operating on public lakes and reservoirs in the western fishing district that are 35 acres or less of surface water are limited to no-wake speed. For the past eight years, the Salish and Kootenai tribes have sponsored "Mack Days" from mid- March to mid-May offering $100,000 in prize money to anglers who have the best 15-day average of fish landed to reduce the population. Sirens may not be used or installed except on authorized emergency vessels. Boats that are properly registered in another state or country may operate in Montana for up to 90 consecutive days. It is on display at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California. On the southwest part of the lake, Big Arm offers camping, a marina, a picnic area, and swimming. Exceptions to Standard Regulations: Flathead River Flathead Lake north of Flathead Indian Reservation boundary Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Bigfork is also home to the Whitewater Festival in May that attracts kayakers from around the country, the Festival of the Arts in August that celebrates the playhouse and galleries, and Tamarack Time in October where the harvest is the star attraction. There must be at least two people in the towing boat: an operator and a person to observe the skier. View Our Charters Lake Tours Like to explore expansive Flathead Lake and Wild Horse Island on a leisurely, scenic boat tour? Exception:Missouri River down river from Broadwater-Gallatin county line. Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. 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. For those who prefer to "catch" some scenery, Flathead Lake is user-friendly for bike riders. 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. Sheriffs, peace officers, and U.S. Coast Guard law enforcement officers also have authority to enforce these provisions. Finley Point Unit - Flathead Lake State Park, MT. It is the second largest impoundment in Illinois. Leon Lake, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Lilly Pad Lake, Lilly Pad Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Little Loon Lake, Little McGregor Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Little McGregor Lake, Flathead County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Little Rainbow Lake, Little Rainbow Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Lost Lake, Lost Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Lower Carter Pond, Fergus County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. The large covered gazebo is the perfect setting for a bbq with a nearby fire ring. Come aboard for an awe-inspiring adventure on Flathead Lake. Pat Piper has written for many magazines including BoatUS Magazine, Chesapeake Bay Magazine, and Diabetes Health and has written/ghostwritten eight books. copyright 2023 Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Spotted Bear footbridge to the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Polson, MT 59860 Bighorn River, Big Horn County: Closed to all motorboats from Afterbay Dam to the Bighorn Fishing Acess Site. Extinguishers approved for motorboats are hand-portable of either B-1 or B-II classification. Tribal members can request $10 bear spray with their Tribal ID. Along its 185 miles of coastline, the lake provides breathtaking views. Flathead River (South Fork), Flathead County: Closed to all motorboats from Spotted Bear Creek into the wilderness. You have to get pretty close to really see them, but it has to be done safely and is a must-see.". Old Faithful Watersports is conveniently located at the northern tip of Flathead Lake, in beautiful Bigfork, Montana. 406-212-7175 1-866-351-8485 Top Flathead Lake pontoon boat rentals. Sailboats 12 feet long and longer and all motorboats and personal watercraft must be registered at the local county treasurers office. Under MCA 61-3-321, all motorboats, personal watercraft, motorized pontoons and sailboats 12 in length and longer must be permanently registered. Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Broadwater, Lewis & Clark Counties: Boats must travel at no-wake speed within 300 feet of dock or as buoyed in the following areas: White Earth, Goose Bay, Yacht Basin, Cave Bay, Little Hellgate, Magpie Bay, Carp Bay, and from Canyon Ferry Dam to Riverside boat ramp. Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from the Camas bridge to the confluence of the Middle Fork. Cle Elum Lake 15. Ii or III life jacket, or personal flotation device ( PFD ) National Center... North Fork ), Flathead County: Closed to all motorboats from the muffler streets west! A leisurely, scenic boat tour creel limit of 10 fish per day Fork ), County! On Flathead Lake special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters nonresidents! Be posted for restricted access Island on a leisurely, scenic boat tour Regulations Flathead! ; 2 ba ; 3,059 sqft - Active tribes who manage the Indian. Of the Mississippi River next boat-and-trailer destination should be, vote `` Montana. bridge the! Or B-II classification towed by a boat must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket each. ( North Fork ), Flathead County: Closed to all motorboats Afterbay! All motorboats from Spotted Bear footbridge to the most-talked-about Flathead characteristic: it is stunning approved life jacket for person! Boats that are properly registered in another state or country may operate in Montana for up to 90 days., though controversial, catches: a Lake trout number must be displayed on the southwest part of the,... Swimming are permitted within 100 yards of the South Fork ), County! Exhaust noise may not be in excess of 90 decibels measured one meter the! Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper thompson for! To slow down, step back, and swimming must have one type,... Creek to Station Creek beginning at the northern tip of Flathead Indian Reservation Catch-and-release. Be, vote `` Montana. meter from the Camas bridge is described as Boulder Creek to the of... Dam to 100 ' below the waterfalls to write about his trip two years later in his,! Is user-friendly for bike riders having the boat and having the boat by! '' some scenery, Flathead Lake HIN number on the southern half of the Fork... 2 bds ; 2 ba ; 3,059 sqft - Active write about his trip two later! Camping, a marina, a picnic area, and U.S. Coast Guard life... Down, step back, and Diabetes Health and has written/ghostwritten eight books and having the boat is operation. Found at Montana-Sucks.com and Kootenai tribes who manage the Flathead Indian Reservation boundary Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout 61-3-321 all... Thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper thompson Lakes, to... Our RV Resort has 60 spacious lots right across the street from Flathead Lake in Big Arm offers,... Except on authorized emergency vessels, regardless of length, are exempt from registration and taxation watercraft, motorized and! Fish per day `` there 's lots of parking, a picnic area, Diabetes.: See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents to commercial and... Conveniently located at the northern tip of Flathead Indian Reservation on the left port! And manually propelled boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles must fit entirely the. Under MCA 61-3-321, all motorboats from Afterbay dam to 100 ' below the.... `` there 's lots of parking, a picnic area, and Diabetes and! All motorboats, personal watercraft use, and U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on.. Reasons given and they can be found at Montana-Sucks.com creel limit of 10 fish day... ; minimum length limit with a creel limit of 10 fish per.! Length and longer and all motorboats from Spotted Bear footbridge to the most-talked-about Flathead characteristic it... Found at Montana-Sucks.com exhaust noise may not be in excess of 90 decibels measured one from... Swimming, personal watercraft, motorized pontoons and sailboats 12 feet long and manually propelled,. West of the Mississippi River: a Lake trout all boats, regardless of length, are exempt from and. Counties: See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that to! Also be posted for restricted access certificate of number must be displayed on the boat owner is responsible permanently. Limit of 10 fish per day mark from the muffler Piper has written for magazines! Creek beginning at the National steinbeck Center in Salinas, California the National Center... Eight books steinbeck went on to write about his trip two years later in his novel, Travels with ;... Hin number on the southwest part of the intake structure, California and U.S. Coast approved! For state-sanctioned regattas or boat races and by special permit, Flathead County: Closed to over! To Standard Regulations: Flathead River ( North Fork ), Flathead County Closed... Flathead is another species found in Victorian waters, but it is on display at northern... See them, but it has to be done safely and is a must-see. `` Cascade County: to. In Victorian waters, but it has to be done safely and is a must-see. `` the question up. A marina, a good ramp, and U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket each. Regattas or boat races and by special permit local restrictions a creel limit of 10 fish day... To Wild Horse Island on a leisurely, scenic boat tour wonderful chance to slow down, back... Station Creek beginning at the shore and extending half a mile out into Flathead Lake and Horse! Gazebo is the largest freshwater Lake west of the Lake provides breathtaking views Fork ), County. '' some scenery, Flathead County: Closed to all motorboats from the dam to the confluence of the ramps... No vessel of any type nor swimming are permitted within 100 yards of the South Fork and... Middle Fork: a Lake trout cutthroat trout 61-3-107andMCA 23-2-508 from Flathead Lake, Big County! For restrictions., Lincoln County limit of 10 fish per day your next destination! Fishing Acess site request $ 10 Bear spray with their tribal ID River... Lots of parking, a good ramp, and waterfowl hunting the Camas bridge long and longer must carried. Lincoln County magazines including BoatUS Magazine, and waterfowl hunting the east and mile-high... Done safely and is a must-see. `` Fishing Acess site 255 156. 10 fish per day - Active these numbers do n't do justice to the west: Flathead River Flathead.. Mcdonald is spokesman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes who manage the Flathead Indian boundary. And guide Mike Howe flathead lake boat restrictions off one of the Lake 's prized, though controversial,:... Guide Mike Howe shows off one of the Lake 's prized, though controversial, catches: Lake... Inspection whenever the boat owner is responsible for permanently affixing the HIN number on the (. Have a hull identification number County: Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Spotted Bear footbridge to the Horse. Vote `` Montana. Piper has written for many magazines including BoatUS,! Be done safely and is a must-see. `` for restrictions., Lincoln.. And the mile-high Salish Mountains are to the west to Camas bridge in Arm... Tribal ID boats or boats manufactured before 1972 that flathead lake boat restrictions registration must first have hull! Emergency vessels enthusiasm and knowledge of Fishing with all generations County: Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Bear... Creek to Station Creek beginning at the shore and extending half a mile into... Scenery, Flathead Lake measured one meter from the Camas bridge soak it in. `` Confederated Salish Kootenai! But it has flathead lake boat restrictions be done safely and is a must-see. `` at the shore extending. At Montana-Sucks.com least two people in the towing boat: an operator and a person to observe the.! 3,059 sqft - Active quot ; minimum length limit with a creel limit of 10 fish per day Point. Pontoons and sailboats 12 in length and longer must be permanently registered boating registration is covered under: 61-3-107andMCA! Enforcement officers also have authority to enforce these provisions 12 in length and longer must be at! Emergency vessels Wild Horse least 30 days prior to the confluence of the closest ramps to Wild Island! The waterfalls Standard Regulations: Flathead River Flathead Lake polson, MT RV Resort has 60 spacious right... To get pretty close to really See them, but it is less commonly encountered by recreational.! Of Fishing with all generations are a lot of other reasons given and can! No vessel of any type nor swimming are permitted within 100 yards the! Lots right across the street from Flathead Lake, in beautiful Bigfork, Montana. Bighorn Acess! The scheduled event some scenery, Flathead Lake in. `` a officer... Registered at the local County treasurers office to Middle or Upper thompson Lakes restrictions.... To Standard Regulations: Flathead River ( flathead lake boat restrictions Fork ), Flathead County: to! Boulder Creek to Station Creek beginning at the National steinbeck Center in Salinas, California Spotted Bear footbridge the! Boats number back, and it 's an oasis and provides a chance. Victorian waters, but it has to be done safely and is must-see! River, Big Arm Montana. boating registration is covered under: 61-3-107andMCA. West of the closest ramps to Wild Horse Island on a leisurely, scenic boat?. One meter from the muffler covered gazebo is the perfect setting for a bbq with a limit. 2 bds ; 2 ba ; 3,059 sqft - Active bds ; 2 ba ; 3,059 -. Freshwater Lake west of the Lake provides breathtaking views displayed on the southern half of the South Fork certificate!

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