The Mayor of Tongue River Reservoir Prepares For The 2004 Season

Dwayne Andrews, FWP Region 7 Information Officer and Diane Tipton, FWP Statewide Information Officer

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More fish, mainly crappie, small mouth bass and walleye, are cooked and consumed on weekends at Tongue River Reservoir State Park than maybe anywhere in Montana.  

“This seemingly tranquil place can become an energetic small town in no time,” said Bob Peterson, park manager. “We have had as many as 10,000 visitors on a holiday weekend when the weather is good.”

Preparations for thousands of potential visitors in a single weekend takes forethought and a stout constitution.

Peterson and his crew prepare for the heavy influx of weekend visitors with chores, such as mowing nearly 100 acres of campground; preparing and enlarging parking areas as needed; cleaning the 21 vault toilets; and maintaining and servicing the fish cleaning and RV dump stations available for visitors.

With this behind the scenes work done, and weekend visitors arriving every few minutes, it’s time for Peterson to exchange his park manager hat for that of “Mayor” of Tongue River Reservoir.

“Folks who spend the weekend with us come to have fun, socialize, and get away from everyday demands,” Peterson said. “I try to help each group of visitors have the good time they hoped for, while making sure it doesn’t diminish someone else’s good time.”

The “fun” may include fishing, swimming or boating. Some of the best crappie fishing in the state is at Tongue River Reservoir, too.

“People from all over the country travel to southeastern Montana to catch this beautiful and feisty pan fish,” Peterson said.   Crappie fishing is a great way for youngsters to get hooked on fishing, with a daily limit of 30 crappie, and a possession limit of 60.

“When I visit different campsites folks will often claim “the best” recipe for cooking crappie and offer a sample,” Peterson said. “I think there are enough secret spice and batter recipes out there for a crappie cookbook—special peppers, tempura and beer batter, brown sugar, buttermilk—you name it.”

For details on Tongue River Reservoir State Park and facilities, check the FWP website at www.fwp.state.mt.us under Parks and Planning A Visit.