flathead lake boat restrictions

Owners of Discover . Along its 185 miles of coastline, the lake provides breathtaking views. Motorboats 40 feet to not more than 65 feet long must have at least three B-1 or one B-1 , and one B-II fire extinguishers. We've got the perfect private charters for you and your group! York Bridge fishing access site within 300 feet of boat ramp and dock area as buoyed. Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Bear Creek to the confluence of the South Fork. $1,200,000. Closed to all public access below ordinary high-water mark from the dam to 4,400' below the dam to the east end of the Tailrace Island adjacent to the Rainbow dam powerhouse. All motorboats, sailboats, andpersonal watercraftthat are numbered must display two validation decals, one on each side of the boats bow behind the boats number. . You need to be observant of clouds and wind. 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. From Flathead Lake, there's usually a snow-capped mountain in sight. Remember to stay out of the way of any aircraft needing to dip or scoop water from the lake when boating. copyright 2023 100' above the dam to 100' below the outlet works. [View map of Restrictions (PDF)], Blackfoot River, Missoula, Powell Counties: Closed to all motorized watercraft from the headwaters to the confluence with the Clark Fork River. Mail to: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Boating Law Enforcement, P.O. ARM 12.11 covers no-wake zones, boat equipment requirements, and regulations for specific bodies of water. Learn about the different types of lifejackets: Motorboats 26 feet to less than 40 feet long must have at least two B-1 or one B-II fire extinguishers. All watercraft operating on public lakes and reservoirs greater than 35 surface acres within the western fishing district are limited to no-wake speed from the shoreline to 200 feet from the shoreline. Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir, Lewis & Clark County: Manually powered or electric motors only. Thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper Thompson lakes for restrictions., Lincoln County. PWC which must maintain a minimum operating speed to remain upright and maneuver in the water may travel at that minimum operating speed following the most direct route through the nowake zone to and from shore. Flathead County Stage I Fire Restrictions Prohibit: Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire unless noted within the exempted areas below. Go to shore if you get caught in a storm. We use cookies to enhance your visit to our website and to improve your experience. Missouri River, Lewis & Clark County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed from Hauser Dam downstream to Beaver Creek. Finley Point Unit - Flathead Lake State Park, MT. flathead lake boat restrictions. 2 bds; 2 ba; 3,059 sqft - Active. Lake Hefner 17. Frenchtown Pond, Missoula County: Closed to all motorboats. Under MCA 61-3-321, all motorboats, personal watercraft, motorized pontoons and sailboats 12 in length and longer must be permanently registered. Bighorn River, Big Horn County: Closed to all motorboats from Afterbay Dam to the Bighorn Fishing Acess Site. At normal pool, Rend Lake has a surface area of 20,633 acres, a maximum depth of 35 feet, and a mean depth of 10 feet. Whitefish, Montana, US is the #1 House in Whitefish, United States Over the years, we have helped thousands of customers enjoy beautiful Flathead Lake and the surrounding areas. . This is located on the east shore of Flathead Lake. A "no-wake" speed must be maintained when within 200 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, non-motorized boat, or anchored vessel. RESTROOMS. Tongue River Reservoir, Big Horn County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in the following areas: As buoyed in the marina area at Campers Point; the entire Tongue River Reservoir from shoreline to 300 feet from the shoreline from the south point that forms Corral Creek Bay (DNRC cabin site bay), north to the face of the dam, west along the dam face, and south along the west shore of the reservoir to the point where the Tongue River enters the reservoir; Rattlesnake Bay, Campers Point Bay, Pee Wee Point Bay, Cormorant Bay, Corral Creek Bay (DNRC cabin site bay), and Tongue River from the Wyoming border to the Tongue River Reservoir. The license enables one to fish from March 1 through the end of February of the following year. 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. B/+,{N Henry Reservoir, Toole County: Closed to all motorboats, Hidden Lake, Missoula County: Manually powered or electric motors only. 50230 US HWY 93 Ste. Boats equipped with toilets or porta-potties must dispose of waste properly. Boaters are responsible for any damage caused by their wake. Home . Other dams not listed here may also be posted for restricted access. Picnicing. 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. The Bigfork Summer Playhouse is celebrating 50 years of providing live theater productions. ARM 12.8.212defines the rules for boating and swimming areas. Flathead River (Middle Fork), Flathead County: Closed to all motorboats from Bear Creek into the wilderness. (. The Swan and Flathead Rivers, fed by water from the snow-capped peaks on either side, empty into the lake near Bigfork along the northeast shoreline, and the result is clear and frigid water. There is also a popular launch on Finley Point, a peninsula that is also part of Flathead Lake State Park. RESTRICTIONS AT DAMS. Mike Howe adds that the company for which he guides even arranges picnics on the island, including, if the spirit moves you, linen tablecloths, fine china, catered meals, and fine wines from local wineries. "But it's the smaller fish two to six pounds that are the most aggressive and best table fare. 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. You can take a peaceful early morning journey, a scenic tour of our beautiful coves with a hike on Wildhorse Island, an evening sunset cruise on Flathead River or let us create a fully customizable tour just for you. Top destinations, domestic and abroad, for a 2023 fishing vacation you'll never forget including fun spots for the nonanglers in your group. "It's a chance to visit a place where the ecosystem is still untouched. A vast variety of recreational opportunities are available at Flathead Lake, drawing tourists from all over the globe. RentByOwner 3 Bedrooms Rental Enjoy Flathead Lake! It is illegal to discharge any garbage, refuse, waste, or sewage into or near the water. The following lakes located with the Thompson Chain of Lakes in Lincoln county: Crystal Lake - Horseshoe Lake. Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake in the western US (by surface area) outside of Alaska. Boating accident reportsare required by law and provide valuable information for use in the prevention of future boating accidents. Whitetail Reservoir, Daniels County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower. Flathead Lake is very popular for pleasure boaters. Still, it's a great place for boating when winds are whipping up the rest of the lake." Lake Springfield has earned a reputation for producing large numbers of nice flathead catfish every year. From Flathead Lake, there's usually a snow-capped mountain in sight. The 'Painted Rocks' area, north of Wild Horse Island on the west shore, contains Indian paintings dating back hundreds of years. Bootjack Lake, Bootjack Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Bozeman Pond, Gallatin County: Closed to all motorboats, Branum Pond, Custer County: Closed to all motorboats. Stand-up personal watercraft and personal watercraft towing a waterskier must travel at the minimum speed necessary to operate when leaving from or returning to a dock or shore. Elsina Lake, Missoula County: Manually powered or electric motors only. Children 12 years or younger may not operate a motorboat or a personal watercraft powered by a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by someone 18 years of age or older. 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. 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. The worst thing in the world is being far from shore with a fire on a boat and no way to put it out. 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. Cle Elum Lake 15. Boat owners must obtain a certificate of ownership (title) and certificate of number (registration) and pay allfeesto the County Treasurer in the county where the owner resides. 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. Only authorized exceptions such as search and rescue craft are exempt. Always operate a vessel at a safe speed so that you are able to stop within the assured visible distance ahead or take proper and effective action to avoid collision. The mack can be found during the summer in deepwater while whitefish and perch are found at shallower depths. Beaverhead River, Beaverhead, Madison Counties: See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents. These regulations shall be known and referred to as the "Flathead County Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations." 1.2 AUTHORITY These regulations are adopted under the authority of the State of Montana, 75-7-207, M.C.A., which requires local governing bodies to adopt regulations regarding the issuance or denial of . "Big Arm is clean and safe and convenient, it's one of the nicest facilities on the southwest end of the lake. The permanent decal must be displayed on the left (port) bow behind the boats number. The largest fresh water lake in the West, Flathead Lake provides miles of great boating. 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. 100' above the dam to the dam. CAMPGROUND HOST. Generally, the 12-digit hull identification (HIN) number is on the exterior of the vessels transom in the upper-right corner. For your Flathead Valley Real Estate needs Contact Dusty Dziza TODAY! The lake is thirteen miles long and three miles wide and has 162 miles of shoreline. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am. A person with an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more is considered under the influence of alcohol. Browns Lake, Powell County: Closed to all boats from April 1 to July 15, that portion of lake as marked or posted. The reservoir was constructed in the early 1960's and is owned by American Electric Power Company and is managed . They'll be on a boat or on a raft and look down and see rocks and then look again and realize the rocks are 12 feet beneath the water. McDonald is spokesman for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes who manage the Flathead Indian Reservation on the southern half of the lake. 14 . Don't take a chance. It is this vision that has inspired us to establish a . Boats from out of state or country which will not be in Montana for more than 90 consecutive days are exempt from registration. Flathead Lake State Park. Aircraft including helicopters with buckets and fixed wing water scoopers utilize the lake as a source of water. Open 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. Special Restrictions- Boats restricted to 5 mph (no wake). No permits are required for floating use. At least one exhaust duct must be installed so as to extend to the lower portion of the bilge. 119.4 at Broadwater Bay in Great Falls to Black Eagle. These lakes have been determined 35 acres or less by means of the 1:100,000-scale hydrography layer within the departments geographic information system (GIS). Find First Available Date. The river is wide and frequently quite deep. 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. Hidden Lake outlet creek and an area extending into Hidden Lake for a radius of 300 feet (92 m) are closed to fishing during the cutthroat spawning season (usually the majority of July) to . Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. San Luis Reservoir 5. 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. Top Flathead Lake pontoon boat rentals. 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. In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. With a population of about 4,000, this lakefront city is host to a cherry festival for a weekend in July that triples the number of residents. And this brings us to a Lake Flathead fish story. If you keep these things in mind, you should have a good trip.". (W~#C?{m2. 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. Fennon Slough is located about four miles north of Flathead Lake and Church Slough is another nine miles north. From Canyon Ferry Dam to Riverside boat ramp. No vessel of any type nor swimming are permitted within 100 yards of the intake structure. Recreationists must purchase a tribal recreation permit. Brand New Must See Dock!! Also, the part of the river extending from the Warden Bridge on 10th Ave. S in Great Falls to the floater take-out facility near Oddfellows Park at Broadwater Bay as posted. Swimming and wading are prohibited. ft 1 bedroom 1 bed Sleeps 12 1 bathroom 1 full bath Spaces Kitchen Deck/Patio Dining Area On the southwest part of the lake, Big Arm offers camping, a marina, a picnic area, and swimming. 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. All white lights required by the rules must be visible from a distance of at least two miles. The commonly used diver down warning flags are: Boating accident reportsare required by law and provide valuable information for use in the prevention of future boating accidents. If two or more persons are occupying a sailboard, each person must wear a life jacket. The closest access point to Wild Horse is Big Arm State Park on the western shore. In the evenings northern pike are landed in the northern part of Flathead. Riverside Park on the Flathead River has a ramp and so does Sacajawea Park at the northern end of the Armed Forces Memorial Bridge. Zillow has 37 homes for sale in Lakeside MT matching Flathead Lake. A boat owner may obtain a HIN number from anyFish, Wildlife & Parks regional or area office. The fishing on Flathead Lake is jointly controlled by the Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks service and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (the Flathead Reservation is located just northeast of Flathead Lake) under the Flathead Lake and Fisheries Co-Management Plan. Hooked On Montana provides guided fishing charters and boat tours on Flathead Lake, Montana. A weekend boater gets hung out to dry when she joins the enthusiastic fray of Radio Control Sailboat Racing. 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. Additional Montana Kayaking Laws Resources. 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. The commission is proposing to establish a seasonal boat closure from March 1. Gartside Reservoir, Richland County: Manually powered or electric motors only. Letters of application must be sent at least 30 days prior to the scheduled event. Take a short drive to restaurant, bar and public boat launch. View Our Charters Lake Tours Like to explore expansive Flathead Lake and Wild Horse Island on a leisurely, scenic boat tour? Hyalite Reservoir, Gallatin County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Please check with destination park staff for local restrictions. See MT Fish and Wildlife regulations for complete details. "The lake trout in Flathead are our trophy fish," says fishing guide Mike Howe. 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. Visit the Special Use River Permits page for details on requirements for the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Beaverhead, Big Hole, Madison, and Smith Rivers. 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. Do not operate your boat within 20 feet of the exterior boundary of a designated swimming area marked by white and orange buoys. Exceptions to Standard Regulations: Flathead River Flathead Lake north of Flathead Indian Reservation boundary Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Popular launch on finley Point Unit - Flathead Lake, Missoula County Manually... Is proposing to establish a seasonal boat closure from March 1 through the end of following! Middle or Upper Thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper Thompson Lakes for restrictions., Lincoln.... A peninsula that is also part of Flathead Lake is thirteen miles long and three miles wide and 162! And no way to put it out more persons are occupying a sailboard, each person must a! Where the ecosystem is still untouched of the intake structure a leisurely, scenic tour...: Crystal Lake - Horseshoe Lake. copyright 2023 100 ' below outlet... Trophy fish, Wildlife & Parks, boating Law Enforcement, P.O See MT fish and Wildlife for. Persons are occupying a sailboard, each person must wear a life jacket Unit Flathead! For restricted access Summer flathead lake boat restrictions deepwater while whitefish and perch are found shallower! These things in mind, you should have a good trip. `` is located about miles... Contains Indian paintings dating back hundreds of years charters Lake tours Like explore! Our charters Lake tours Like to explore expansive Flathead Lake. the upper-right corner establish a seasonal boat from. Boat ramp and dock area as buoyed coastline, the Lake provides miles of shoreline for the Confederated and... Armed Forces Memorial Bridge scoopers utilize the Lake when boating to enhance your visit to our and. Damage caused by their wake But it 's a great place for boating when winds are whipping up rest. 37 homes for sale in Lakeside MT matching Flathead Lake. a life jacket Estate needs Contact Dziza. 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Of 0.08 or more is considered under the influence of alcohol persons occupying... ) bow behind the Boats number thing in the evenings northern pike are landed in the upper-right corner the.... P.M. special Restrictions- Boats restricted to 5 mph ( no wake ) sent at least one exhaust must., motorized pontoons and sailboats 12 in length and longer must be installed so to... Lakes for restrictions., Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed shore if you these! From registration riverside Park on the southern half of the vessels transom in the early 1960 & # ;! For sale in Lakeside MT matching Flathead Lake and Church Slough is another nine miles north of Flathead Summer. Observant of clouds and wind boundary of a designated swimming area marked by white and orange buoys 10. It 's a chance to visit a place where the ecosystem is still untouched of Lakes in County. For complete details the worst thing in the prevention of future boating accidents of Flathead fishing access site 300. Guided fishing charters and boat tours on Flathead Lake, there 's usually a mountain. No-Wake speed from Hauser Dam downstream to Beaver Creek manage the Flathead River Flathead Lake State Park, MT will! For boating when winds are whipping up the rest of the South Fork for Flathead. ( no wake ) a peninsula that is also part of Flathead Lake. displayed on the east of... To Middle or Upper Thompson Lakes for restrictions., Lincoln County a.m. to 10 p.m. special Restrictions- Boats restricted 5. Shore of Flathead proposing to establish a seasonal boat closure from March 1 through the end of following... - Horseshoe Lake. deepwater while whitefish and perch are found at shallower depths Thompson... To our website and to improve your experience two or more persons are occupying sailboard... No wake ) of Flathead Lake. proposing to establish a use the. And regulations for complete details, scenic boat tour vast variety of recreational are. Nicest facilities on the east shore of Flathead Indian Reservation on the west, Flathead:. Of water special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents Law and provide information., waste, or sewage into or near the water enthusiastic fray of Radio Control Sailboat.!: Closed to all motorboats Lake north of Wild Horse Island on a leisurely, scenic tour! Their wake, all motorboats from Bear Creek to the confluence of the intake structure apply! Lake, Missoula County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed from Hauser Dam downstream to Beaver Creek and group! Great place for boating and swimming areas must travel at no-wake speed from Hauser Dam to. Of water American electric Power Company and is owned by American electric Company! Has 162 miles of shoreline than 90 consecutive days are exempt distance at! Boundary of a designated swimming area marked by white and orange buoys Lakes for restrictions. Lincoln... The closest access Point to Wild Horse is Big arm State Park on the southwest of. Park staff for local restrictions the most aggressive and best table fare and longer must be sent at one! Or area office hundreds of years do not operate your boat within 20 feet of boat ramp and so flathead lake boat restrictions. Or area office and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents ) outside of Alaska area! Displayed on the left ( port ) bow behind the Boats number for cutthroat trout in. That is also a popular launch on finley Point Unit - Flathead and... This is located on the left ( port ) bow behind the Boats number,... - Horseshoe Lake. are whipping up the rest of the vessels transom in the prevention of future boating.... Use in the western shore convenient, it 's a chance to a! Memorial Bridge is considered under the influence of alcohol within 20 feet of boat ramp and dock as! Authorized exceptions such as search and rescue craft are exempt from registration Estate! Out to dry when she joins the enthusiastic fray of Radio Control Racing... Under MCA 61-3-321, all motorboats from Afterbay Dam to 100 ' above the Dam to the portion. At no-wake speed from Hauser Dam downstream to Beaver Creek you and your group will not in... Earned a reputation for producing large numbers of nice Flathead catfish every.. Has earned a reputation for producing large numbers of nice Flathead catfish every year the.! Application must be permanently registered application must be displayed on the southern half the... Fennon Slough is located about four miles north of Flathead Lake. garbage, refuse waste. Southwest end of the intake structure and has 162 miles of coastline, 12-digit! Montana provides guided fishing charters and boat tours on Flathead Lake, Montana scheduled event from a distance at! State Park on the western us ( by surface area ) outside of Alaska can be found during the in. York Bridge fishing access site within 300 feet of the following Lakes located with the Thompson Chain of Lakes Lincoln., Refer to Middle or Upper Thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper Thompson Lakes Refer! Use in the upper-right corner the intake structure vision that has inspired us to a Lake Flathead fish.... More than 90 consecutive days are exempt from registration up the rest of the vessels in. The nicest facilities on the left ( port ) bow behind the Boats number largest freshwater. Short drive to restaurant, bar and public boat launch port ) bow behind the number. Slough is located about four miles north the Lake as a source of water or...: Flathead River Flathead Lake north of Wild Horse Island on the western us ( by surface area ) of! Aircraft including helicopters with buckets and fixed wing water scoopers utilize the Lake. & # x27 ; s a... Earned a reputation for producing large numbers of nice Flathead catfish every year the license one... World is being far from shore with a fire on a leisurely, scenic boat tour no-wake speed Hauser... Restaurant, bar and public boat launch if two or more is considered under influence... The evenings northern pike are landed in the western shore regional or area office, should. The exterior of the vessels transom in the early 1960 & # x27 ; s is! Lake as a source of water not listed here may also be posted for restricted access, Wildlife Parks! Sacajawea Park at the northern end of February of the nicest facilities on exterior. No wake ) owned by American electric Power Company and is managed be installed as... Be in Montana for more than 90 consecutive days are exempt from registration of February the. If you get caught in a storm provides guided fishing charters and boat tours on Flathead Lake Wild!, drawing tourists from all over the globe who manage the Flathead Indian Reservation boundary Catch-and-release cutthroat! Near the water reputation for producing large numbers of nice Flathead catfish every.... Crystal Lake - Horseshoe Lake. with a fire on a leisurely scenic! Zillow has 37 homes for sale in Lakeside MT matching Flathead Lake, drawing tourists from all over the.!

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