Montana Recreation

2014 Annual Pass  - Photo by Katherine Hawkins-2012 Share the Experience Photo Contest Grand Prize winner "America the Beautiful - National Parks and Federal Recreation Lands Pass" (replaces Golden Eagle, Golden Age, Golden Access and National Parks passports) discounts are NOT ACCEPTED for admission to Reclamation managed facilities or parks – with the exception of the New Melones Lake Reclamation managed recreation areas. This pass can be used for admission to facilities and parks that receive benefits and revenues from the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act, like New Melones Lake; however, other Reclamation facilities do not receive revenues through this Act.



Anita Reservoir:

no motors allowed

Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Montana Area Office, P.O. Box 30137, Billings, MT 59107, (Huntley Project Irrigation District, 406-967-3400. Located near Huntley, off I-94. This reservoir, with 32 surface acres and 2 miles of shoreline, offers seasonal opportunities for crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass.

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area:

boat ramps available public facilities campground

Managed by the National Park Service, Ft. Smith, MT 59035; (406) 666-2412. Located near Fort Smith. This recreation area, with 12,700 surface acres and 191 shoreline miles, offers good fishing opportunity for walleye, brown trout, and ling. Spectacular scenery in Bighorn Canyon. Concrete boat ramp, boat-in campground, and marina. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Canyon Ferry Lake:

boat ramps available public facilities swimming campground

Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, Montana Area Office, P.O. Box, 30137, Billings, MT 59107; (406) 475-3310. Located near Helena. This lake, with 35,181 surface acres and 76 shoreline miles, offers excellent fishing opportunity for rainbow trout, perch, ling, and walleye. Concrete boat ramps, campgrounds, day-use areas, shelters, swimming, and three marinas. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Clark Canyon Reservoir:

boat ramps available campground public facilities

Administered by the Bureau of Reclamation, 1200 Highway 41, Dillon, MT 59725; (406) 683-6472. Located south of Dillon. This reservoir, with 4,935 surface acres and 17 miles of shoreline, offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Concrete boat ramps, picnic shelters, marina. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Fresno Reservoir:

boat ramps available public facilities swimming

Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 220, Chester, MT 59522; (406) 759-5077. Located near Havre. This reservoir, with 7,388 surface acres and 65 miles of shoreline, offers good fishing opportunity for walleye, northern pike, and perch. Concrete boat ramp, picnic shelters, and swimming beach. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Gibson Reservoir:

boat ramps available campground public facilities

Administered by the U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 871, Great Falls, MT 59403; (406) 791-7700. Located west of Great Falls. This reservoir, with 1,296 surface acres and 15 miles of shoreline, offers fair fishing for rainbow trout, cutthroat trout, and brown trout. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Helena Valley Reservoir:

public facilities

Administered by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife, and Parks, 1420 E. 6th Ave., Helena MT 59620; (406) 444-2535. This reservoir, with 518 surface acres and 6 miles of shoreline, offers fair fishing for kokanee salmon. Picnic shelters available. View specific public facilities for this site.

Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir):

boatramp available public facilities campground picnic facilities

Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 220, Chester, MT 59522; (406) 759-5077. Located 18 miles SW of Chester, Mont., This reservoir with 181 miles of shoreline, offers good fishing that includes northern pike, walleye, and rainbow trout. Concrete boat ramps, campgrounds, marina, picnic shelters. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Nelson Reservoir:

boatramp available public facilities campground

Managed by the Bureau of Reclamation, P.O. Box 220, Chester, MT 59522; (406) 759-5077. Located near Saco, on Hwy. 2 This reservoir, with 4,320 surface acres and 30 miles of shoreline, offers good fishing for walleye, perch, and northern pike. Concrete boat ramp, campground, and picnic shelters. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Pishkun Reservoir:

boatramp available public facilities campground picnic facilities

Managed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Capitol Station, Helena, MT 59620; (406) 444-2535. Located near the Sun River, west of Great Falls. This reservoir, with 1,550 surface acres and 13 miles of shoreline, offers major game fishing for kokanee salmon, northern pike, and rainbow trout. Picnic shelter available. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Willow Creek Reservoir:

boatramp available public facilities campground

Managed by the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks, Capitol Station, Helena, MT 59620; (406) 444-2535. Located approximately 20 miles west of Great Falls. This reservoir, with 1,530 surface acres and 11 shoreline miles, offers fishing for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon for this site. View specific public facilities for this site. View Current Reservoir Data.

Last Updated: 9/29/17