The northwestern portion of Montana (Glacier Country) contains the vast majority of water held in the state, which makes for an ideal summer vacation spot as there are a plethora of locations to escape the summer heat. Countless rivers... not really "countless", but we'll go ahead and use that for the sake of argument... many lakes, accessible by road and some hidden deep in the mountains, and plenty of waterfalls to be sought out. Enjoy the clean, clear water of Montana, and please help us to keep it that way.
The largest natural body of fresh water found west of the Mississippi. Surrounded on the east side by the Mission Mountains and the west side by the Salish Mountains, Flathead Lake is thirty miles long and almost fifteen miles wide, with a depth of about 300 feet, providing unparalled fishing and recreational opportunities. The southern half of the lake is part of the Flathead Indian Reservation, home of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribes. On these waters, fishermen will need a tribal fishing permit, available at most area sporting goods stores. Flathead Lake is 30 miles (48 km) southwest of Glacier National Park and is flanked by two scenic highways. Wild Horse Island, Flathead Lake’s largest island, is a wildlife refuge for more than 75 species of birds along with deer, bighorn sheep, coyotes and bears. A great location whether you prefer fishing, scenic cruises, sailing or kayaking.
A 23,813 acre impoundment that was created in 1953 after the construction of Hungry Horse Dam, the upper most dam in the Columbia River Hydro-power system. Hungry Horse Reservoir and the South Fork Flathead River basin are unique because the watershed is one of the few watersheds in the west where exotic species such as brook, brown and rainbow trout are not common. Hungry Horse Reservoir is managed for flood control and power production. Prior to the dam, the South Fork Flathead River was connected to the Flathead River system. Bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout would migrate from Flathead Lake to spawn and rear in South, Middle and North Fork tributary streams. Construction of the dam blocked upstream passage and 40% of the available spawning area for these fish. There was no consideration for fish passage in the construction of the dam. Fish from the South Fork can no longer return to Flathead Lake but use the reservoir to rear and reach maturity.
It is about 20 miles long and a mile wide at the north end of the Swan Valley. The lake is a popular fishing and resort area. Swan Lake is popular among fishermen for its northern pike fishery, kokanee salmon gand rainbow trout. The Clearwater River flows south through a chain of lakes to the Blackfoot River near the Blackfoot Clearwater Game Range where several hundred head of elk and deer winter. The lake is quite large, more than a mile wide and ten miles long, and is very deep.
Offering sandy beaches and beautifully landscaped parks, this lake sits at the base of Whitefish Mountain Resort, just north of the townsite of Whitefish. Fed by Swift Creek, Lazy Creek and Hellroaring Creek, there is plenty of space for water recreation. Boating, swimming and fishing are popular activities and the lake is rarely windy so it provides ideal conditions for water-skiing. At seven miles long, 2.5 miles wide and 222 feet deep, public use areas include city beach, Whitefish Lake State Park and Les Mason Park.
Located two miles south of Whitefish on Highway 93, then right on Blanchard Lake Road. The lake offers both fishing and boating. Access to the site is during the day only, there is a boat launch, but the boat ramp does not provide access to the main lake.
Lake Como is a popular campground and day use area 5 miles north of Darby, Montana. The lake was named by Father Ravalli (namesake of Ravalli County). He named the Lake Como of Italy. Lake Como dam was constructed in 1905 to provide late season irrigation for the Bitterroot Valley. The lake is typically at full pool from early spring through mid-July. Take US Highway 93 south of Hamilton to the Como Lake turn off (follow signs), then continue 4 miles west.
Salmon Lake State Park is located 5 miles south of Seeley Lake on Montana Highway 83 near milepost 7.
A natural impoundment, Salmon Lake is one of the beautiful links in the chain of lakes on the Clearwater River and just south of Seeley Lake. Fishing, boating, and a variety of water sports are popular activities in this woodland setting of western larch, ponderosa pine, and Douglas-fir. This park is situated on 42 acres of land at 3,917 feet in elevation. It provides 20 sites with flush and vault toilets, showers, grills/fire rings, firewood, picnic tables, trash cans, RV dump station, drinking water and interpretive displays. RV/trailer units are limited in size of 25 feet and campers may stay 14 days during a 30 day period at this park. A golf course is located nearby in Seeley Lake.
Seeley Lake is nestled between the Bob Marshall and the Mission Mountain Wilderness Areas. This 1,025-acre lake is one of a half dozen lakes in the Clearwater Valley known as the “Chain of Lakes” through which the Clearwater River flows. The lake itself is stocked several times each year with rainbow trout, some weighing up to 15 pounds. The lake is also very popular among bass fishermen and boasts one of the finest bass fisheries in Western Montana. Other fish species include kokanee salmon, bull trout, whitefish, perch and bluegills.
Located 35 miles east of Bonner on Highway 200, then 2 miles north of Clearwater Junction on Highway 83. Harper’s Lake has a stay limit of seven days and requires a small usage fee.
Placid Lake State Park is located 3 miles south of Seeley Lake on Montana 83, then 3 miles west on county road.
Located on a branch of the Clearwater River, Placid Lake is known for its good trout fishing and smooth water. A number of facilities are provided for camping and picnicking and include a horseshoe pit and volleyball court, as well as access for boating and swimming. Interpretive panels give an account of the early-day logging practices attested to by the massive western larch stumps in the area. The park is 31 acres in size and is 4,134 feet in elevation. There are 40 sites that offer flush and vault toilets, public phone, a group use area, grills/fire rings, firewood, picnic tables, trash cans, and drinking water. RV/trailer are limited in size to 25' and the maximum length of stay is 14 days in a 30 day period. A golf course is located nearby in Seeley Lake.
Used primarily for power boating, water skiing and fishing. Boat ramps are located at Bad Medicine Campground and Dorr Skeels Campground. Private property surrounds much of the lake which sits at an elevation of 2,300 feet.
From Eureka, follow Highway 37 south for seven miles to the town of Rexford. Traveling from this point, either north or south, will take you past several campgrounds and boat launching facilities. This 90-mile-long lake provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Species of fish include rainbow and cutthroat trout, whitefish, kokanee, and burbot (Ling cod), and streams draining into the lake offer good fishing for brook trout. Tours of Libby Dam, from which the reservoir is generated, are available during the summer months. Libby Dam is located approximately 43 miles south of Rexford.
Several recreation areas are located along the lake. Rocky Gorge has 120 campsites suitable for tents and recreational vehicles. A boat ramp gives access to the lake. Peck Gulch has restrooms, a boat ramp, and plenty of sites for picnicking or camping. The Barron Creek Recreation Site has a boat ramp and dispersed camping areas. McGillivray Recreation Site is a campground and day use area with group picnic shelters. Overnight camping, ball fields, a swimming beach, and a boat ramp are available. A short boat ride from this recreation area will take you to Yarnell Islands, which have camping and picnicking facilities.
From Eureka, follow US Highway 93 for 14 miles southeast, then take Forest Road 7008 at the northwest corner of Murphy Lake. Follow this road to the picnic area, loon information signs, and trailhead.
This small lake is in a heavily forested area with adjacent marshland. Interpretive signs at the picnic area describe the common loons that nest here and their habitat. Nesting loons are very sensitive, and signed buoys mark areas closed to the public. Visitors may pick up a brochure at the trailhead and hike the moderate 1-mile trail to an observation deck. Birders may see common loons, horned grebes, waterfowl, bald eagles, and osprey. Beavers can also be seen. Much of the land north of Murphy Lake is key winter range for white-tailed and mule deer. A cross-country ski trail marked by signs goes just east of Murphy Lake off Forest Road 7008 and passes through this range, where moose are also occasionally spotted.
