Overview of rivers in Montana

Rivers of Montana: Overview of Montana whitewater, Montana paddling, Montana canoeing, Montana kayaking, Montana rafting, Montana fly-fishing, Montana river conservation, Montana river law, and Montana river access.

What do you want? Fishing? Floating? A little whitewater excitement? How about wildlife, or maybe some history, and who isn't ready for a little peace and quiet? If you want any of these things, Montana's a pretty fine place to find it.

Even the most jaded youngster can't fail to be impressed by the part the Missouri River played in opening up the West. Lewis and Clark are probably the most famous adventurers to ply its changeable waters, which range from the placid to the turbulent, with Great Falls requiring a portage. The scenery is spectacular where the river cuts up against the White Cliffs, and intimidating where it flows through the badlands, but wherever you choose to put in, you'll never forget you're paddling one of the great rivers of North America.

Those with a fishing rod, some paddling skills, and a kayak or covered canoe can try out the Blackfoot River. Depending on the section you choose to travel, you may find yourself avoiding snags and submerged logs in tight turns, or you may take on a lot of cold water just below Scotty Brown Bridge. But the hazards aren't insurmountable, provided you are properly prepared, and the trout fishing in these waters -- cutthroat, bull, brown, and rainbow -- will make up for any dampness leaking through your spray skirt!

There's also excellent fishing to be found on the Yellowstone River. Get your blood pumping first by running the relatively few whitewater miles of the 680-mile long river just below Gardiner, then pull out your rod for some of the best angling in the state. History buffs love this river as well: Lewis and Clark also traveled this way, and you can still see Clark's name where he inscribed in on Pompey's Pillar (named for Sacajawea's son) in 1806.

Dedicated wilderness lovers seek out the Flathead River. Regardless of the fork or section you pick, you're likely to need either some solid paddling experience, sturdy gear, portages, shuttles, backcountry skills, or all of them altogether. The rewards, though, are marvelous, because you'll have the fantastic whitewater and solitude you dream about as you sit in traffic all winter long.

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The following news is assembled from postings from various sources, as a public service. The sponsors of this website do not assume responsibility for accuracy. Always double-check information before relying on it, especially when your safety is involved!

STATEWIDE ISSUES:

Federal Judge Protects River Access

Crowding on Montana's Shores

Public Access Rights Back in the Courts

Montana Keeps Its Rivers Free

A lawsuit challenging Montanans the right to access their rivers and streams for recreation was rejected by a federal judge earlier this year. The ruling landed solidly in the favor of public access advocates.

U.S. District Judge Charles C. Lovell stated that the Denver-based Mountain States Legal Foundation, who acted on behalf of the plaintiffs, failed to demonstrate that the 1985 law was unconstitutional; moveover, he said, the plaintiffs long ago missed the three-year deadline for filing a lawsuit following the passage of a law. Instead, Judge Lovell found the defendants had provided substantial support for the legality and desirability of the law, which had already been upheld in a 1987 Montana Supreme Court Decision.

More information can be found at www.flyshop.com/CENTERS/rmwest/01-01access.

Nonresidents Overwhelm Rivers

Montana's state legislature has proposed that the number of out-of-state anglers be limited to allow Montana's outdoorspeople some breathing room.

Commercial-free zones have been proposed by the Montana Fish and Game Commission on two of the most popular fishing rivers -- the Big Hole and the Beaverhead -- from May through September. Other rules include creating a Citizens' Day on summer and fall Saturdays, when only Montana residents may fish, and opening pheasant season a week earlier and excluding nonresidents during that time.

Following a public comment period, the measure could be voted on as early as February 2001.

Owners contend private land makes for private waters

The battle lines are again forming in the pull for water rights between private landowners and public river users. An article in December 3rd's Billings Gazette briefly examines the dispute between the Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks and the landowners who are suing for the right to deny the public access to public waterways when those waterways abutt public roads.

You can read the full article by clicking on the Gazette name above.

SPECIFIC RIVERS: Click to jump down to descriptions and news about:

(This calendar is assembled as a public service, using postings from individuals. The sponsors of this website assume no responsibility for the accuracy of the listings, or the quality of the events. Always double-check information before relying on it.)

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(To post an announcement of a Montana river event you are organizing, click to go to: River Rendezvous--State River News--Montana River Events. The webmaster will subsequently integrate your information into the announcements above.)