Where do you take a child fishing that is easy to get to, relatively safe and offers the best possible chance of success? Don’t let this dilemma delay your fishing trip.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has taken some of the guesswork out of fishing with kids by designating ponds for kids and stocking some other ponds with kids in mind.
Here is a quick survey of a few prime children’s fishing ponds in the state. For a detailed list, check the FWP web site at www.fwp.state.mt.us under Fishing and then Hot Topics, or contact the nearest FWP regional office. Please check your 2004 Montana Fishing Regulations for limits and restrictions before setting out.
Kalispell
Dry Bridge Pond is a three-acre family-fishing pond located in Dry Bridge City Park, at the corner of 11th Street East and Woodland Avenue, in Kalispell. The pond is stocked annually with pan-sized and small rainbows and yellow perch and offers lots of wildlife viewing opportunities too. The best fishing is April, May and June. Adults are asked to voluntarily release their catch. The “Hooked On Fishing, Not On Drugs” fourth grade class from nearby Hedges School helps with fish stocking, picks up litter and has put up birdhouses. The shoreline is gently sloping and tree-lined, with benches and a hiking path around the pond.
Deer Lodge Area
The Warm Springs Kid’s Pond is stocked annually with 500 pan-sized rainbow trout. Fishing is limited to anglers 14 years of age and younger and the limit is two trout daily and in possession. Bait fishing is permitted. The pond is shallow and the banks are tree lined. Kids’ catch rates are high. The pond is on the grounds of the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area. Take the west side frontage road between the junction of Montana Highway 1 and the I-90 entrance ramp. Parking is available on the east and north sides of the pond.
Helena Area
Spring Meadow pond at Spring Meadow State Park on Montana Highway 12 just west of Helena is a popular and safe environment for young anglers interested in trout and bass. The surrounding park invites family afternoons of swimming, sunbathing, scuba diving, bird watching and more. An easy to walk nature trail circles the lake and boasts a view of Mount Helena.
Missoula Area
Frenchtown Pond is a spring-fed lake with a maximum depth of about ten feet on the outskirts of Frenchtown. Adult largemouth bass are stocked frequently, and there are northern pike and pumpkinseed. The pond offers fishing, swimming, sunbathing, sail boarding, canoeing and more. Only non-motorized craft are allowed. The pond is 15 miles west of Missoula on I-90 at Frenchtown Exit #89, then one mile west on Frontage Rd.
Livingston Area
Sacajawea Lagoon is located in Sacajawea Park in Livingston, along the Yellowstone River. Youngsters enjoy the trout fishing and the surrounding park which offers activities like feeding the geese, picnicking, wading, swing sets, tennis and horse shoe pits--just in case the fishing gets slow.
Billings Area
Lake Elmo in northeast Billings is located in a suburban park. Children can fish for many species here, including rainbow trout, largemouth bass, yellow perch, black crappie, brown trout, pumpkinseed and channel catfish. Park hours are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. year round.
Glasgow Area
Home Run Pond is by the ballpark on the southeastern edge of Glasgow. Hatchery trout will be planted in May, followed by transfers of wild fish including black crappie and yellow perch in spring and summer. Check with the FWP Glasgow office for details on the children’s summer and winter fishing clinics planned. Playground and restrooms are available.
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