Montana’s 306 Fishing Access Sites are among the best places in the state to fish or camp. Now a new, full-color guide to these special places is available at all Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offices at no charge.
The new guide is color-coded and formatted for use with the FWP fishing regulations and includes information such as the typical species of game fish that may be caught at each site.
Montana’s FASs make hundreds of miles of waterfront along Montana’s rivers, lakes and reservoirs accessible to the general public for fishing, boating and other recreation.
Some 160 sites have boat ramps and improved latrines, and at 95 FASs overnight camping is available. The facilities available at a particular FAS are described in the guide and can also be located using the guide’s index.
FASs are primitive or semi-primitive sites that do not have electricity, running water or dump stations. More highly developed camping sites are available at many of Montana’s State Parks.
FWP also offers an online guide to FASs, their locations and facilities. Go to fwp.mt.gov on the Internet, click on Fishing and use the Find An FAS Site selector.
FISHING ACCESS SITE EXAMPLES
Fishing Access Sites in Montana provide public access on some of the most spectacular waters in the U.S. Here are some examples:
Arapooish Fishing Access Site, is located on the Bighorn River just north of Hardin. Two Leggings is the next access site up stream and Grant Marsh is the next access site down stream from Arapooish. Anglers catch brown and rainbow trout, and burbot. The site has a concrete boat ramp, trailer access and vault latrines.
Axtell Bridge Fishing Access Site, on the Gallatin River ten miles south of Belgrade on Highway 191, has hand launching of boats only. The site offers anglers access to brown and rainbow trout and mountain whitefish.
Bear Paw Lake Fishing Access Site, 16 miles south of Havre, provides access to fishing for rainbow trout and Yellowstone cutthroat trout among other fish species. There are 17 campsites with a fee, access for trailers and vault latrine but no boat ramp. An accessible platform accommodates anglers with disabilities. A warm water fish stamp is required to fish here.
Bigfork Fishing Access Site, on Flathead Lake near the town of Bigfork makes it easy for anglers to fish for lake trout, lake whitefish and westslope cutthroat trout with a concrete boat ramp, access for trailers and latrines. This FAS is off of Highway 35.
Browns Lake Fishing Access Site, one mile off Highway 200 near Helmville, is a rainbow trout angler’s dream and provides excellent bird viewing near marshy locations around the lake. A boat ramp, vault latrine, and 12 campsites with fees are available.
Loch Leven Fishing Access Site, nine miles south of Livingston, is at 4,744 feet in elevation. Paradise is the next access site up stream from Loch Leven and Mallard’s Rest is the next fishing access site down stream from Loch Leven. A concrete boat ramp, trailer access, vault latrines and ten campsites with fees are available. There is also potable water.
River Junction Fishing Access Site, near Seeley Lake, is on the Blackfoot River 39 miles east of Bonner on Highway 200. This site offers six campsites with fees, a primitive boat ramp, and vault latrine. The road is rough and trailers are not recommended.
South Sandstone Reservoir Fishing Access Site, five miles south of Plevna on the South Sandstone Creek , provides access to fish for northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye and yellow perch. There are ten campsites, a gravel boat ramp, vault latrines, and access for trailers.
Seven Sisters Fishing Access Site, on the Yellowstone River 11 miles south of Sidney, has undesignated camping and hand boat launching only. Elk Island FAS is the next access site up stream and Sidney Bridge FAS is the next access site down stream from the Seven Sisters.
Twelve Mile Dam Fishing Access Site, twelve miles south of Miles City on the Tongue River, offers anglers trailer access, a vault latrine, and eight primitive campsites with no fee.
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