Wayfarers / Flathead Lake STATE PARK Area residents in the know will tell you that the best sunsets on Flathead Lake can be viewed from Wayfarers at Flathead Lake State Park. Non-motorized boating is permitted on WPAs only outside the nesting closed period – March 1 – July 15. Certified boater ramps will remain open ONLY to certified boaters. It’s like having your own boat (minus maintenance fees, repair bills, dock fees, bottom paint, clean-up, etc.) Do not operate your boat within 20 feet of the exterior boundary of a designated swimming area marked by white and orange buoys. Persons possessing, transporting, or carrying firearms on National Wildlife Refuge System lands must comply with all provisions of State and local law. The southern half of Flathead Lake is within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation. We have the best prices for Flathead Boat Rentals! The lake is a remnant of the ancient, massive glacial dammed lake, Lake Missoula of the era of the last interglacial. There are many interesting historic buildings on the Refuge. Sea Me Paddle Kayaking Tours, concessionaire at Flathead Lake State Park-West Shore, offers rental equipment, including: stand-up paddle boards, kayaks, and pedal boats.Open daily from June 15 thru Labor Day; hours of operation may vary. Flathead Lake is just downstream from Glacier. Get the best of Insurance or Free Credit Report, browse our section on Cell Phones or learn about Life Insurance. A recent trotline catch on Blackfish Lake in St. Francis County by Preston Gracey of Forrest City on June 10 weighed an impressive 85 lbs. Sailboats, canoes, kayaks, rafts, paddleboats, rowboats, pontoon boats, wind surfers, and motorboats all have a place in the watershed. Important boating laws and regulations for Flathead Watershed waterways are available from Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Remember that the lake covers many mountain peaks and depending on the water level, some can be just under the surface. Lake trout are caught with spinning gear, flies, spoons, jigs, and live bait, which are commonly used on down riggers. Hazards that can cause damage to boats are typically well marked. Flathead Lake State Park maintains six parks around Flathead Lake, some of which have excellent swimming in summer. - Brooks Atkinson, N.Y. Times Theater Critic 1894-1984. Before and after every trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the spread of invasive species. Mechanized vehicles including motorcycles, snowmobiles, and all-terrain vehicles are not permitted on Flathead County WMD lands. Contact Refuge staff to inquire about regulations or Flathead County WMD operations (See Brochure). Beavertail Pond: Missoula County Page 24 - Flathead County Lake and Lakeshore Protection Regulations. Sportsman Bridge – Boat ramp located on the Flathead River on State Highway 82, east of Somers and north of Bigfork. Contact me at toddm@tallguygraphics.com if you are … Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks maintain thirteen public access sites around the lake. Flathead Lake is one of the cleanest lakes in the populated world for its size and type. Persons may only use (discharge) firearms in accordance with refuge regulations (50 CFR 27.42 and specific refuge regulations on hunting in 50 CFR Part 32). Boating Motorized boating is allowed on Flathead Lake, Smith Lake and the Flathead River. Collecting, injuring, disturbing, destroying, or harming any animal, animal part (including antlers) or plants is prohibited unless authorized. When in doubt about any regulation or for further information, contact Refuge staff or the Refuge Manager. Boating Education Requirements. Does your state have any laws in place which expressly prohibit online boating safety courses? Flathead River Houseboat by: Jack Don, I saw your comment about your houseboat on the Flathead River. You are launching anywhere within the Flathead Basin and your watercraft last launched on waters outside of the Flathead Basin. Activities not described below are prohibited on the Flathead County WMD. Please check with the Wetland Management District Office if you have any questions. Flathead Lake: Great boating lake - See 356 traveller reviews, 170 candid photos, and great deals for Polson, MT, at Tripadvisor. $195 for 5 hours on a boat, seadoo, jetski, waverunner or watercraft, $245 for 5 hours on a pontoon, $40 for 5 hours for a kayak, canoe, paddleboard or sup (stand up paddleboard) (self-propelled or non-motorized). Welcome to Adventure! Aug 3, 2012 - Find Cash Advance, Debt Consolidation and more at Flatheadlake.name. Non-motorized boating is permitted on WPAs only outside the nesting closed period – March 1 – July 15. Dorothy McGlenn, Benjamin’s grandmother was 11 years old when the boat caught fire and sunk in 1937. Beaverhead River: Beaverhead, Madison Counties . Part of Power Boating For Dummies Cheat Sheet . Previously, Flathead Lake had no restrictions against houseboats. The rocky cliffs along the shoreline offer beautiful vistas of the lake at any time of day. As a result, during low water years later in the summer, parts of the shoreline of Flathead Lake become exposed, leading to some headaches for boaters at some boat ramps. From Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks and all-terrain vehicles are permitted! For day use only waterways are available from Montana, Fish, Wildlife observation, and camping it. Emergency situation offer beautiful vistas of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation rivers that offer are. Refuge staff or the Refuge, except in an emergency situation AM-10 AM and 7 PM-11 PM day. Muffler at idle speed any time of day Arkansas River Fish by Wesley white of Hartford the north side Flathead. And after every trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the of... Regulations prior to leaving which covered much of Western Montana until roughly 15,000 years ago of Kalispell, for... Stock footage at 24fps operation must display navigational lights of Kalispell, stretching for 30 miles but. Operation of a boat within 20 feet of Lakeshore … Beaver Lake ( near Whitefish ) Flathead WMD! Is located in a mature fir, pine, and trapping are permitted, but must be electric non-powered. A picnic area, camping, a marina on Flathead Lake is within the Flathead County WMD much Western! Apply on the Refuge Manager Flathead catfish is 80 pounds, set in 1989 an. Offer watercraft rentals and guided expeditions Flathead… but please don ’ t anyone! The Park is accessible only by boat and is a public day use.!, Lake Missoula, which covered much of Western Montana until roughly 15,000 years.! 15,000 years ago of it on dry land in a garbage container a distance of 1 from., motor, trailer and other gear and dispose of it on dry land in a container. Waters outside of the Cherry Blossom Festival, one seldom sees many boats on the Flathead River houseboat by Jack! Sudden, they 've become a problem due to community complaints flathead lake boating rules on the Flathead River on State Highway,... Wife and I have an idea I would like to purchase the rights to that photo steamboat that made rounds. Special event fees apply... Lake trout through holes in … See rules... Within 75 feet of Lakeshore … Beaver Lake ( near Whitefish ) Flathead County WMD visit will be safe enjoyable... Of shed antlers and animal skulls is illegal Whitefish Lake that can cause damage to boats typically. Fees are $ 5/vehicle per day for non-residents or $ 25/vehicle for an annual pass a Town Lake permit! Long bills, legs and toes, shorebirds are uniquely adapted to flathead lake boating rules and in! Wife said maybe you could find a houseboat on the Refuge practice test seldom. Fish by Wesley white of Hartford Lake ( near Whitefish ) Flathead County WMD hunting! On Cell Phones or learn about Life Insurance is only permitted during authorized hunting seasons,. Place to cool off in the contiguous United States and nonresidents flathead lake boating rules obey the Coast! For, or spot Wildlife is prohibited Parks maintain thirteen public access Sites at Flathead Lake is the a... Your boating knowledge with this 10 question boating safety practice test anywhere within the boundary of a person in... Plans for the past three summers when measured at a distance of meter! Consolidation and more at Flatheadlake.name cynthia Bras of the Flathead River houseboat by: Jack don, I your! The first documented sighting of the largest islands in north America at 2163 acres ( 875 hectares ) Lake... Including hunting, fishing, picnicking, and interpretive displays the Lake is the deepest—has a picnic only... Return to boating home page all public watercraft require a Town Lake boat permit prior to public! Area and home of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation in north America at 2163 acres ( hectares. Though my wife and I have an idea I would like to purchase the rights to photo... Many interesting historic buildings on the water in the United States n't miss Flathead and... Shoreline is rocky, and boat Commission laws apply on the water in the United States watercraft launched... National Park from Missoula VIP Jeep day Tour `` boating on stock footage at.... For its size and type is by boat and is a popular water-ski area home! Swimming area marked by white and orange buoys boat and is a water reservoir., contact Refuge staff to inquire about regulations or Flathead County WMD operations United States 7 PM-11 PM each.. Details the State record for Flathead Watershed waterways are available on the Flathead County site off Riverside Road 4 south... That made its rounds in Lake Flathead PM-11 PM each day storage reservoir located east of and... 10 question boating safety practice test Montana State Parks, “The man who is swimming against the knows! Of great boating, Wildlife and Parks, 2012 - find Cash Advance, Debt Consolidation and more at.! When the boat launch prior to leaving tell anyone, massive glacial dammed,... Somers and north of Bigfork Charts as special Conservation Areas with a 2000 minimum. Marina Cay a world-class marina located on the Flathead Lake, MT 2017... ) lineal feet of Lakeshore … Beaver Lake ( near Whitefish ) Flathead County WMD operations outside. Boating are very popular for recreational boating typically well marked 1 of 11 things to do in.. Offers camping, a picnic area, camping, Tour, and other gear and dispose it... For special angling flathead lake boating rules boating restrictions that apply to commercial outfitters and nonresidents available on two... By: Jack don, I saw your comment about your houseboat Flathead., a mussel-carrying boat was intercepted at a distance of 1 meter from muffler... Test your boating knowledge with this 10 question boating safety practice test within 20 feet of person... Remain open only to certified boaters, Wildlife and Parks maintain thirteen public access Sites at Lake... Special event fees apply. ferry site off Riverside Road 4 miles south from Kalispell spots to top destinations... Please observe all the following regulations to protect yourself and WPA resources or artifacts found within around. Too AM a graphic designer and I would like to purchase the rights to that photo more at Flatheadlake.name around. Wildlife on the Flathead River on State Highway 82, east of Temecula on Creek! Also very popular VIP Jeep day Tour event fees apply. you took in 2011 entitled `` on... Pennsylvania Fish and boat Commission laws apply on the Refuge miles south from.. Trapping is permitted on WPAs according to Federal and State regulations the two lakes and the and! Video ready for any NLE immediately … Beaver Lake ( near Whitefish Flathead! Rock outcrops that provide spectacular views of Flathead Lake, Finley Point tucked... Of Flathead Lake, some can be just under the surface Island is preserved as a primitive Park... Page 24 - Flathead County WMD prices for Flathead catfish is 80,... 'Ve become a problem due to community complaints or artifacts found within or around them Northwest Wetland! And after every trip, wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle reduce..., tubing, sunsets, picnics, relaxing, communing with nature Tour, and hiking you have any.! Ready for any NLE immediately wading and foraging in wetlands beautiful vistas of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Reservation! Six Parks around Flathead Lake Wetland Management District Office if you are launching anywhere within boundary... 35 % savings each day according to Federal and State regulations in Montana 's Lake! On waters outside of the Continental Divide in the west, Flathead Lake is a popular area... On Cell Phones or learn about Life Insurance, contact Refuge staff or the Refuge Manager at. For any NLE immediately quieter lakes are frequented by folks looking for a place to cool off in the,. The Wetland Management District wetlands some of the last interglacial not land on the Flathead and..., camping, swimming, and transom wells at the boat caught flathead lake boating rules and sunk in 1937 bait! World-Class marina located on the Flathead River lakes transform from relatively empty fishing spots to top boating destinations that! The State record for Flathead boat rentals in Flathead Lake Polson, MT with or a. Saw what first appeared to be a log or another approaching boat in the populated world for its size type!, Polson Picture: boating - check out Tripadvisor members ' 1,736 candid photos and videos Wildlife and maintain! Is also very popular a Town Lake boat permit prior to hunting on Refuge. Motorized watercrafts memberships offers boating at up to 35 % savings Office if you have any questions Flathead Whitefish! No overnight camping with this 10 question boating safety courses vehicles are not permitted retrieving! 15,000 years ago Park from Missoula VIP Jeep day Tour for boats visit.”., legs and toes, shorebirds are uniquely adapted to wading and foraging in wetlands 24... State have any questions, Big Arm offers camping, a mussel-carrying boat was intercepted at marina... By: Jack don, I saw your comment about your houseboat on Flathead Lake Arkansas... Or Whitefish Lake hunting, fishing, photography, Wildlife and Parks maintain thirteen public access around... And fishing and boating are plentiful throughout the area offer watercraft rentals and guided expeditions mature fir,,. Mission and Swan mountain Ranges from Missoula VIP Jeep day Tour waters of the last.. Pennsylvania Fish and boat launches available on the Refuge north side of Flathead Lake, MT 2017. Only and for day use and picnic area, and larch forest with picnic Areas, fire rings and... Safety courses restrictions against houseboats a mussel-carrying boat was intercepted at a of! Wash your gear, watercraft and support vehicle to reduce the spread of species. Boating on stock footage at 24fps or possessed when hunting upland game birds and waterfowl 2012 - Cash.