All operators and riders must wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD). Between sunset and sunrise and at other times of restricted visibility, vessels in operation must display navigational lights. 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. Make sure you have a VHF radio and cell phone, warm clothing, and rain gear on board. With years of guiding experience and a genuine passion for fishing and people, we guarantee you will have a wonderful trip. All of a sudden, they've become a problem due to community complaints. The rock flathead is another species found in Victorian waters, but it is less commonly encountered by recreational anglers. In 1962, he was awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature. Flathead (all species except dusky flathead) Common name/s. Boat Ramp. Sailboard operators (wind-surfers) under 15 years of age must wear a life jacket at all times. 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. You need to be observant of clouds and wind. This reservoir is one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and other recreational opportunities. Boats at anchor outside of a designated mooring area must display an all-around white anchor light between sunset and sunrise. 100' above the dam to 100' below the outlet works. Visit the Special Use River Permits page for details on requirements for the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Beaverhead, Big Hole, Madison, and Smith Rivers. 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. Fishing: Popular with locals for large rainbow trout and kokanee. 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. He's currently an executive editor for Westwood One Radio. The lake was formed by constructing a 2-mile-long dam across the Big Muddy River floodplain. But it gets tricky when strong east winds are blowing. A beautiful wooden boat restored by Greg McCormick, a Polson resident and Lakers member, is up for auction online through December 1st. When he and Charley stopped in Montana, something inside stopped in Montana, something inside the author stopped too: "For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition and some affection," he wrote, "but with Montana, it is love." 5. . Yellowstone Lake 10. . 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. Now, he's already facing daily backlash about having it removed. RESTRICTIONS AT DAMS. Castle Rock Reservoir, Rosebud County: Manually powered or electric motors only. The Great Salt Lake in Utah is significantly larger than Flathead but is salt, not fresh water. 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. Polson, MT 59860 ARM 12.11covers no-wake zones, boat equipment requirements, and regulations for specific bodies of water. Platycephalidae. The river is wide and frequently quite deep. 500' above the dam to 500' below the dam. Flathead Lake is approximately 28 miles long and is a water-lover's recreational paradise. (Photo: Donnie Sexton), "The coolest thing about Flathead is the variation of scenery around the lake," recounts Howe. [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. Do not operate or beach your motorboat within a designated swimming area. The decision has left some. The 2023 Sailing Convention for Women draws female sailors from different generations and backgrounds to share their knowledge, skills, and camaraderie. York Bridge fishing access site within 300 feet of boat ramp and dock area as buoyed. Authorized officers of Montana Fish, Wildlife &Parks have peace officer status for enforcement of the boating regulations. We are happy to announce that the Harbor Grille in Lakeside will host the 2022 Flathead Lake Boat Show. 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. A combined total of 20 for one or more species of flathead (excluding dusky flathead) Lakes Greater than 35 Acres(PDF) The Flathead Reservation contains approximately 980 miles of rivers and streams, 90 lakes, and extensive wetlands within the Reservation. Boats from out of state or country which will not be in Montana for more than 90 consecutive days are exempt from registration. Lake Koocanusa, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in Cripple Horse Bay within 300 feet of docks or as buoyed. Buoys will be placed out on the lake to designate the restriction zone. The U.S. Coast Guard Capacity Plate on each boat provides the recommended horse power for that vessel. 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. All boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles must fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur provided. Beaverhead River, Beaverhead, Madison Counties: See theMontana Fishing Regulationsfor special angling and boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents. Only authorized exceptions such as search and rescue, scientific purposes or special events with the directors prior written approval are exempt. 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. Anyone towed by a boat must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD). From Flathead Lake, there's usually a snow-capped mountain in sight. Also exempt are a vessels lifeboat and government-owned boats. 600' above the dam to 700' below the dam. 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. Picnicing. Exception:Missouri River down river from Broadwater-Gallatin county line. 406-212-7175 1-866-351-8485 All boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles must fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur provided. This browser is no longer supported. Sailboats and manually powered vessels have the right of way over motorized boats in nearly all situations. Water skiers must not approach within 50 feet of swimmers or enter a designated swimming area. 100' above the dam to the dam. 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. 5.0 (7 bookings) The duct should not be located so that a normal accumulation of bilge water would obstruct it. Whether you bring your own boat or rent locally, getting out on the Flathead River is a great way to experience this special place. Whitetail Reservoir, Daniels County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. No wake speed is defined as a speed whereby there is no "white" water in the track or path of the vessel or in created waves immediate to the vessel. Thompson Lakes, Refer to Middle or Upper Thompson lakes for restrictions., Lincoln County. A fire extinguisher is classified by the type of fire it is meant to extinguish and its size. The latest validation decals are red and willexpire February 28, 2023. Flathead Lake, Flathead County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed from Bigfork Bay to 100 yards west of the Highway 35 bridge, and as buoyed. 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. . Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir, Lewis & Clark County: Manually powered or electric motors only. The worst thing in the world is being far from shore with a fire on a boat and no way to put it out. Finley Point Unit - Flathead Lake State Park, MT. Some, however, ask that you visit the other 49 states before coming here. 250' above the dam to 600' below the dam. 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. Boats must be launched from established launching areas if provided. The area immediately above the dam is closed to all watercraft as posted or marked. The certificate of number must be carried on board the boat and be available for inspection whenever the boat is in operation. It is this vision that has inspired us to establish a . Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Spotted Bear footbridge to the Hungry Horse Reservoir. The Flathead and Swan rivers, both of which run through Bigfork, feed fresh water into Flathead Lake year-round. 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. Over the years, we have helped thousands of customers enjoy beautiful Flathead Lake and the surrounding areas. It is the second largest impoundment in Illinois. Boats pulling, taking off with, and landing water skiers will travel in general counterclockwise direction. In the evenings northern pike are landed in the northern part of Flathead. they show evidence of completing another state or organization's NASBLA approved boating safety course; or. 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. 2023 Boat Owners Association of The United States. Blanchard Lake, Blanchard Lake is on the Clearwater River, Missoula County: Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower. This is located on the east shore of Flathead Lake. 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. A "no-wake" speed must be maintained when within 200 feet of a dock, swimmer, swimming raft, non-motorized boat, or anchored vessel. Beautiful Rustic Cabin with a bedroom on the main floor and loft bedroom upstairs with breath taking views. Tribal members can request $10 bear spray with their Tribal ID. Frenchtown Pond, Missoula County: Closed to all motorboats. Lake Tahoe has more water than Flathead because it is significantly deeper (nearly 1650 ft vs. 380 ft). Anyone towed by a boat must wear a life jacket. on Flathead Lake in Woods Bay, MT. Dock, Boat. 500' above the dam to 100' below the waterfalls. 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 . Learn more Operator Age Limit - Motorboats & Personal Watercraft Generally the 12-digit hull identification (HIN) number is on the exterior of the vessels transom in the upper-right corner. 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 For Robert McDonald of the Salish-Kootenai tribe, there really is a Big Horse spirit of sorts. Windsurfers wearing a wet suit or dry suit are permitted in designated area. From Canyon Ferry Dam to Riverside boat ramp. 27cm. All motorboats must carry on board a U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher as listed below: Motorboats less than 26 feet long must have at least one B-1 fire extinguisher. View the quick reference onUnderstanding Montana's Required Boat Decals. Individuals and nonprofit organizations may identify hazards on state waterways by placing a sign or marker at the hazard. (2) Motorized watercraft of 20hp or less are permitted from June 16 to September 30. (2) Motorized watercraft towing a skier from a dock or the shore. Exception: (1) Motorized watercraft, except personal watercraft, are permitted from May 1 to June 15. 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. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Boating Laws Resource Page; Boating Law Enforcement. 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