Fishing and Hunting
Northwest Montana is known for its lakes and rivers, featuring two-thirds of all the recreational waters and one-third of all registered boats in the state. More than 500 lakes support fish, ranging from 125,000-acre Flathead Lake, the largest natural lake west of the Great Lakes, to hundreds of high-mountain lakes. More than 3,000 miles of fishable streams flow through the region.
Parkside at Fisher River sits in the middle of the Thompson Chain-of-Lakes complex. The waters of the Thompson Chain-of-Lakes cover 3,000 acres, with shoreline access to 18 lakes. Parkside is a short cast from Upper Thompson Lake. Along with Middle and Lower Thompson lakes, the three waters provide opportunities to catch a variety of fish. The lakes are stocked with Kokanee salmon, rainbow trout and largemouth bass.
Just downstream from the Thompson Lakes is the Thompson River, which flows south to join the Clark Fork River. Thompson River provides some of the best fly fishing in the area, especially during its underrated salmon-fly hatch.
The Kootenai River near Libby is the region's premier fly-fishing destination. This Blue Ribbon trout stream that flows from southeastern British Columbia through the northwest corner of Montana holds rainbow and cutthroat trout.
East of Parkside at Fisher River is Flathead Lake and the Flathead River. Flathead Lake offers world-class fishing for lake trout, Kokanee salmon and Great Lakes whitefish. Upstream, the three forks of the Flathead River hold rainbow, cutthroat and bull trout. The Middle Fork Flathead River, which flows along the southern boundary of Glacier National Park, is considered Montana's most challenging whitewater, with Class IV (or higher) rapids to test the skills of even expert paddlers. Click here to view a map of the many fishing opportunities located near Parkside at Fisher River.
Area rafting companies offer novice and experienced rafting trips, some include fishing guides and hiking and backpacking trips into Glacier National Park.
