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Montana Fishing Guide

Flathead Lake

Flathead Lake 

Tributary of Flathead River.
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Size:  122885 acres
Elevation:  2890 ft
Mtn Range:  Not in a Mtn Range
Wilderness Area:  Not in Wilderness Area
FWP Region:  Region 1
Fishing District:  Western Fishing District



Species Present
Game Fish Opportunities:
Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Mountain Whitefish, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Yellow Perch
All Species Present:
Black Bullhead, Brook Stickleback, Bull Trout, Lake Trout, Lake Whitefish, Largemouth Bass, Largescale Sucker, Longnose Sucker, Mountain Whitefish, Northern Pike, Northern Pike Minnow, Peamouth, Pygmy Whitefish, Rainbow Trout, Redside Shiner, Westslope Cutthroat Trout, Yellow Perch
NOTE: There may be game fish present (including Species of Concern) that are not listed in the game fish category due to low numbers for that fish. Until you identify your catch, please handle all fish carefully. Thank you.

Fishing Regulations
Fish Consumption Advisory  Fish Consumption Advisory in effect.

View the latest Montana Fishing Regulations.

Boating Regulations

Standard Boating Regulations for the State of Montana

Exceptions to Standard Boating Regulations for Flathead Lake
Regulation Description & Exceptions
No-wake speed Bigfork Bay to 100 yards west of Hwy 35 bridge; as buoyed

Fishing Access Sites
Bigfork  River Mile: 0
Seasonal boat ramp closures during winter.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  1 acre(s).
Ducharme  River Mile: 0
Undeveloped site.   Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  51 acre(s).
Elmo  River Mile: 0
  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  13 acre(s).
Finley Point State Park River Mile: 0
Flathead Lake Brochure This park is located in a secluded, mature pine forest near the south end of Flathead Lake. Enjoy one of the 16 campsites here with water and electrical hook ups, plus a boat pumpout station. For more information on Flathead Lake State Parks, read Water, Water Everywhere, 2003 Montana Outdoors article.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  28 acre(s).
Big Arm State Park River Mile: 0
Flathead Lake Brochure Camping, a long beach, nature trail, and a yurt rental are all here. This park is a popular jump-off point to Wild Horse Island, using the ramp to launch your own boat. Camping under a stand of mature ponderosa pine and juniper is a major attraction and the long beach is popular with sunbathers and swimmers. A nature trail provides excellent bird watching opportunities. Please note: There are no ADA accessible campsites at this park. For more information on Flathead Lake State Parks, read Water, Water Everywhere, 2003 Montana Outdoors article.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  217 acre(s).
West Shore State Park River Mile: 0
Flathead Lake Brochure Glacially carved rock outcrops rise from Flathead Lake to overlooks with spectacular views of the lakeshore and the Swan and Mission Mountains. Considered the most private park on Flathead Lake, this site is distinguished by a mature fir, pine, and larch forest. The beach is rocky but you can still swim, boat, and camp here. For more information on Flathead Lake State Parks, read Water, Water Everywhere, 2003 Montana Outdoors article.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  129 acre(s).
Yellow Bay State Park River Mile: 0
Flathead Lake Brochure Yellow Bay is in the heart of the famous Montana sweet cherry orchards, blossoms color the hillsides during the spring. The park includes Yellow Bay Creek, four walk-in tent camping spots and a wide, sandy beach for swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, boating, fishing, and bird watching. For more information on Flathead Lake State Parks, read Water, Water Everywhere, 2003 Montana Outdoors article.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  15 acre(s).
Woods Bay  River Mile: 0
Not usable below lake level 2885'.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  12 acre(s).
Wayfarers State Park River Mile: 0
Flathead Lake Brochure You’ll find this site right outside Bigfork located on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake. Enjoy camping and walking, launch your boat, or use the boat and trailer dump stations within a mature, mixed forest pleasant for both camping and picnicking. Nature walks over the rocky shoreline to the cliffs are popular with excellent views of the lake, as well as, wildflowers which abound from spring to late fall. For more information on Flathead Lake State Parks, read Water, Water Everywhere, 2003 Montana Outdoors article.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  67 acre(s).
Walstad  River Mile: 0
  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  2 acre(s).
Wild Horse Island State Park River Mile: 0
Wild Horse Island State Park Brochure Flahtead Lake Islands Management Plan Indian Education For All Lesson Plan Boat access to this day-use-only, primitive park is regulated to protect the 2,000-acre island. The largest island in Flathead Lake, Wild Horse has been a landmark rich with history since the Salish-Kootenai Indians were reported to have used it to pasture horses to keep them from being stolen by other tribes. It preserves an endangered palouse prairie environment, incredible wildlife, and historic resources. Check with park staff on the best ways to reach the island and its trails and views. Private property is found along the perimeter of the island. For more information on Flathead Lake State Parks, read Water, Water Everywhere, 2003 Montana Outdoors article.  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  2164 acre(s).
Somers  River Mile: 0
  Seasonal. Contact the regional office for open and closure dates.  2 acre(s).
NOTE: All river Fishing Access Sites (FAS) are listed in descending order by river mile from headwaters to mouth. The mouth of a stream is its confluence with another body of water and is considered mile 0.

Fishing Pressure
Year Days Fished¹ Trips² State Rank³ Regional Rank³
2007 70,509 1,109 5 1
2005 52,873 900 8 1
2003 38,064 767 13 1
2001 48,665 846 10 1
1999 48,386 1,202 13 2

¹  Estimated yearly fishing use in angler days (one angler fishing one body of water in one day for any amount of time).
²  The number of times that a section of water was reported as having been fished (used to estimate the number of "Days Fished").
³  How this section of water ranked among all surveyed sections in the state or region, based on "Days Fished" in a survey year.
 
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