You can take a peaceful early morning journey, a scenic tour of our beautiful coves with a hike on Wildhorse Island, an evening sunset cruise on Flathead River or let us create a fully customizable tour just for you. "Big Arm is clean and safe and convenient, it's one of the nicest facilities on the southwest end of the lake. Fishing: Popular with locals for large rainbow trout and kokanee. Quiet hours are enforced from 10:00pm to 7:00am. Beaver Lake (near Whitefish), Flathead County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed from 5 AM-10 AM and 7 PM-11 PM each day. 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 Under MCA 61-3-321, all motorboats, personal watercraft, motorized pontoons and sailboats 12 in length and longer must be permanently registered. 5.0 (7 bookings) All of the partners responding to and working to suppress the Boulder 2700 Fire appreciate the publics cooperation to adhere to this temporary boating restriction. Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Bear Creek to the confluence of the South Fork. There must be a wearable life jacket (Type I, II, or III) for each person on vessels less than 16 feet long (including canoes and kayaks of any length). View Our Charters Lake Tours Like to explore expansive Flathead Lake and Wild Horse Island on a leisurely, scenic boat tour? All of a sudden, they've become a problem due to community complaints. Bag limit. 119.4 at Broadwater Bay in Great Falls to Black Eagle. It is a large, naturally occurring freshwater lake in Montana that is more than 200 square miles in size. Fresno Reservoir, Hill County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in the area around the Fresno boat club docks, public boat ramp area, swimming, and beach area as buoyed and signed. Parking. The boat owner will receive one permanent registration decal as proof of payment of fees in lieu of tax. Flathead Lake Marina LLC. Blaine, Choteau, Fergus, Phillips Counties: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Polson is a short drive for all the city amenities and return to our tranquil setting and life at the . This reservoir is one of Virginia's premier fisheries, offering outstanding fishing and other recreational opportunities. Closed to boating, sailing, floating, swimming, personal watercraft use, and waterfowl hunting. For additional information and daily fire updates, visit inciweb.nwcg.gov/incident/7754 and follow the CSKT Division of Fires Facebook page. Hauser Reservoir, Lewis & Clark County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in the following areas: Lakeside Marina and Hauser Lake State Park at Black Sandy beach within 300 feet of the docks or as buoyed. For those who prefer to "catch" some scenery, Flathead Lake is user-friendly for bike riders. Find Boat Slip in For Sale in Kalispell, MT. Exception:upper three islands in the southwest corner of section 5, approximately 1/4 mile southeast of the entrance of Blackies Bay; the narrow corridor that serves as the entrance and exit to Blackies Bay located in the northwest corner of Echo Lake; and the narrow corridor that serves as the entrance and exit to Causeway Bay located in the northeast corner of Echo Lake. Closed to all public access below ordinary high-water mark from the dam to 100' below the waterfalls. A motorboat 16 to 26 feet long must carry some means of producing an efficient sound signal that is audible for one-half mile, such as a whistle or a horn. People from all over the world search our website for Flathead Lake real estate. Exception:motorboats less than 26 feet long that are propelled by an outboard motor and are completely open construction (no closed spaces where gasoline fumes may be trapped) are not required to have a fire extinguisher. PWC which must maintain a minimum operating speed to remain upright and maneuver in the water may travel at that minimum operating speed following the most direct route through the nowake zone to and from shore. Permits and special restrictions are in place on some of the rivers in Montana as a way to protect the recreational experience and the river resources. The largest fresh water lake in the West, Flathead Lake provides miles of great boating. They always tell me they don't have clear water like this in the Midwest or on the East Coast.". Bighorn River, Big Horn County: Closed to all motorboats from Afterbay Dam to the Bighorn Fishing Acess Site. Montana and federal laws require that basic safety items be on board all boats. The U.S. Coast Guard Capacity Plate on each boat provides the recommended horse power for that vessel. Have a chart if you're going to do this; all are easily marked, and visitors need to be aware there are 56 small private lots around the perimeter. 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. It's located east of Polson. Those include the Flathead Conservation District, Flathead River Commission, Flathead Basin Commission, Fish Wildlife and Parks, the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, the National Park. It is illegal as well as unsafe to overpower a boat. Earlier this year, the tribes suggested allowing gill nets to land more lake trout, but this idea has sparked a huge debate about how many native fish may also be caught in a gill net in an effort to reduce the lake trout numbers. Klamath Lake 7. . (. It is illegal to discharge any garbage, refuse, waste, or sewage into or near the water. The certificate of number must be carried on board the boat and be available for inspection whenever the boat is in operation. Cad Lake, Cad Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. The following lakes located with the Thompson Chain of Lakes in Lincoln county: Crystal Lake - Horseshoe Lake. In the evenings northern pike are landed in the northern part of Flathead. Boats must be launched from established launching areas if provided. San Luis Reservoir 5. View the quick reference onUnderstanding Montana's Required Boat Decals. Speaking of skeptics, others say the sturgeon was trucked in from elsewhere. Dock, Boat. Now, he's already facing daily backlash about having it removed. There's an obvious reason for the name. The closed portion is described as Boulder Creek to Station Creek beginning at the shore and extending half a mile out into Flathead Lake. These lakes have been determined 35 acres or less by means of the 1:100,000-scale hydrography layer within the departments geographic information system (GIS). They'd dearly love to keep this American jewel a secret all to themselves. Fishing. This is located on the east shore of Flathead Lake. The truck he and Charley traveled across the country in was named "Rocinante" after the trustworthy horse in Cervantes' "Don Quixote." Boaters operating on Waterton Lake who land in the United States are subject to US Customs regulations and are required to check-in prior to traveling to Goat Haunt USA using the cbp roam application. Exception:Missouri River down river from Headwaters State Park. All operators and riders must wear U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket, or personal flotation device (PFD). 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. The explosive vapors are heavier than air and accumulate in the bottom of the boat without proper venting, creating an extremely hazardous condition. Sailboats 12 feet and longer and allmotorboatsandpersonal watercraftmust be registered, numbered, and have two decals (a permanent decal and validation decal). Boat owners must obtain a certificate of ownership (title) and certificate of number (registration) and pay allfeesto the County Treasurer in the county where the owner resides. Whether you bring your own boat or rent locally, getting out on the Flathead River is a great way to experience this special place. Both motorized and non-motorized watercraft are allowed on Flathead Lake, so whether by jetski or canoe it's easy to explore the 191 square miles of . The rock flathead is another species found in Victorian waters, but it is less commonly encountered by recreational anglers. Boating registration is covered under:MCA 61-3-107andMCA 23-2-508. Generally, the 12-digit hull identification (HIN) number is on the exterior of the vessels transom in the upper-right corner. Big Bear Lake 13. It's a favorite place for fishing guide Mike Howe: "Big Arm State Park is perhaps the nicest and least utilized state park, especially for day users," he says. The area immediately above the dam is closed to all watercraft as posted or marked. At least one exhaust duct must be installed so as to extend to the lower portion of the bilge. In addition to state boating laws, local government and federal agency regulations may apply to boating activities in some areas. Site Regulation: 10" minimum length limit with a creel limit of 10 fish per day. For your Flathead Valley Real Estate needs Contact Dusty Dziza TODAY! The boat owner will receive one permanent registration decal as proof of payment of fees in lieu of tax. It's a state park with daytime-only access and reachable only by boat. Blanchard Lake, Blanchard Lake is on the Clearwater River, Missoula County: Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower. Lake Marshall, Missoula County: Limited to manually operated watercraft and watercraft powered by electric motors. Lake Woodlands 500' above the dam to 500' below the dam. We use cookies to enhance your visit to our website and to improve your experience. 150' above the dam to 900' below the dam. Hyalite Reservoir, Gallatin County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. More restrictive noise standards are in effect for Flathead Lake (Flathead and Lake Counties), Echo Lake (Flathead County) and Swan Lake (Lake County) because of population density and heavy recreational use. The boat owner is responsible for permanently affixing the HIN number on the boat and having the boat inspected by a peace officer. Federal, State, and Private jurisdictions under Stage I restrictions are: Flathead National Forest including the Bob Marshall Wilderness Complex, in Flathead, Lake, Missoula, Lewis and Clark, and Powell Counties, Montana. Validation decals are issued in 3-year blocks. It's described as being almost 20 feet in length, although skeptics point to a 181-pound sturgeon on display at the Polson-Flathead Historical Museum believed to have been caught in the lake. Boats pulling, taking off with, and landing water skiers will travel in general counterclockwise direction. Montana requires at least two ventilation intake ducts fitted with cowls or their equivalent to vent bilges and fuel tank compartments. It is the second largest impoundment in Illinois. From Flathead Lake, there's usually a snow-capped mountain in sight. Along its 185 miles of coastline, the lake provides breathtaking views. Find First Available Date. Facebook; Twitter; Lake Helena, Lewis & Clark County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed from April 1 to the opening day of waterfowl season. Tetrault Lake (Carpenter Lake), Lincoln County: Closed to all motorboats over 10 hp. Leon Lake, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Lilly Pad Lake, Lilly Pad Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Little Loon Lake, Little McGregor Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Little McGregor Lake, Flathead County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Little Rainbow Lake, Little Rainbow Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Lost Lake, Lost Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Lower Carter Pond, Fergus County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Picnicing. Morrell Lake, Missoula County: Closed to all motorboats, Myron Lake, Myron Lake is in the Thompson Chain of Lakes., Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed, Park Lake, Jefferson County: Closed to all motorboats, Pelican Point Fishing Access Ponds, Cascade County: Closed to all motorboats. Upper Thompson Lake, Lincoln County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed in middle and lower lobes. . Closed to motorboats over 10 horsepower from Spotted Bear footbridge to the Hungry Horse Reservoir. Docks are to be used only for loading and unloading unless otherwise posted. Yellowstone Lake 10. With years of guiding experience and a genuine passion for fishing and people, we guarantee you will have a wonderful trip. CAMPING, IMPROVED SITE. All boats, trailers, rigs and motorized vehicles must fit entirely within the campsite parking-spur provided. 500' above the dam to 100' below the waterfalls. The commission is proposing to establish a seasonal boat closure from March 1. Lake trout: 100 daily and in possession, only 1 over 36 inches, and all fish 30 to 36 inches must be released. Flathead Lake. Glacier National Park. . Echo Lake, Flathead County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Flathead Lake - Somers, MT, Flathead Lake Boat Ramp . The Great Salt Lake in Utah is significantly larger than Flathead but is salt, not fresh water. The Flathead and Swan rivers, both of which run through Bigfork, feed fresh water into Flathead Lake year-round. Canyon Ferry Reservoir, Broadwater, Lewis & Clark Counties: Boats must travel at no-wake speed within 300 feet of dock or as buoyed in the following areas: White Earth, Goose Bay, Yacht Basin, Cave Bay, Little Hellgate, Magpie Bay, Carp Bay, and from Canyon Ferry Dam to Riverside boat ramp. The southern half of Flathead Lake is within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation. Registration fees are based on the length and age of the vessel. +l^PrgXdgcZr1'[v8B(bAr~;5-?~u Flathead Lake is the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. 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. 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. Frenchtown Pond, Missoula County: Closed to all motorboats. 27cm. Validation decals may be obtained, free of charge, at any Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks regional/area officesor online: Orange validation decals will expire February 28, 2026. The certificate of number must be carried on board the boat and be available for inspection whenever the boat is in operation. Exceptions:(1) Motorized watercraft, except personal watercraft, are permitted from October 1 to June 15. . York Bridge fishing access site within 300 feet of boat ramp and dock area as buoyed. copyright 2023 Hauser Reservoir, Lewis & Clark County: Closed to all watercraft from October 15 to December 15, the upper end of reservoir from Canyon Ferry Dam to below Brown's Gulch as marked. A beautiful wooden boat restored by Greg McCormick, a Polson resident and Lakers member, is up for auction online through December 1st. This is considered a spectacular place for hiking and the trails are relatively easy. Remember to stay out of the way of any aircraft needing to dip or scoop water from the lake when boating. A white plastic milk jug attached by a cord to the hazard may also be used. Also exempt are a vessels lifeboat and government-owned boats. Sirens may not be used or installed except on authorized emergency vessels. "There's lots of parking, a good ramp, and it's one of the closest ramps to Wild Horse. He noted: "It seemed to me that the frantic bustle of America was not in Montana." Boaters are responsible for any damage caused by their wake. Scientific name. Exception: (1) Motorized watercraft, except personal watercraft, are permitted from May 1 to June 15. All motorboats, sailboats, andpersonal watercraftthat are numbered must display two validation decals, one on each side of the boats bow behind the boats number. Flathead Lake State Park maintains six parks around Flathead Lake, some of which have excellent swimming in summer. The commonly used diver down warning flags are: Boating accident reportsare required by law and provide valuable information for use in the prevention of future boating accidents. 100' above the dam to the dam. Helena Valley Regulating Reservoir, Lewis & Clark County: Manually powered or electric motors only. 406-212-7175 1-866-351-8485 Enjoy the days on the beautiful lawn which borders two hundred feet of Flathead Lake. It is on display at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas, California. Still, it's a great place for boating when winds are whipping up the rest of the lake." Remember to adequately ventilate your boat before starting it by running your blower for at least 4 minutes - especially after fueling. The Road and Bridge Department is divided into the following three sub-departments. The permanent decal must be displayed on the left (port) bow behind the boats number. A combined total of 20 for one or more species of flathead (excluding dusky flathead) Whitetail Reservoir, Daniels County: Boats must travel at no-wake speed. Front Country Campgrounds are exempted from the Stage I campfire restrictions. Lake Tahoe 2. give his or her name, address and identification of the boat in writing to any person injured and to the owner of any damaged property. Top Flathead Lake pontoon boat rentals. Polson, MT 59860 The Mission Mountains reaching almost 6,000 feet high are visible in the east and the mile-high Salish Mountains are to the west. Considered a spectacular place for hiking and the trails are relatively easy of,... 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flathead lake boat restrictions
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