MONTANA
FISH, WILDLIFE AND PARKS
Montana’s
Fishing Access Sites accommodate roughly 3.9 million visits from people every
year. These visits happen on about 330 Fishing Access Sites across the state
that vary in size from less than one acre to several hundred acres.
These sites
are owned and managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to give
recreationists access to the state’s water resources. Funding for the
acquisition, enhancement and maintenance of these sites is generated from
fishing licenses sold to anglers. But a large portion of people who use Fishing
Access Sites are non-anglers. The lower Madison River, for example, sees as
many as 300,000 people annually who recreate on inner tubes and inflatable pool
toys. Many of these floaters do not buy fishing licenses.
This cost
imbalance creates significant challenges in maintaining places impacted by high
use. Trash collection, latrine maintenance, infrastructure repairs and other
costs quickly add up as more people come to these sites to enjoy the access and
opportunity they provide.
Courtney
Johnson enjoys kayaking the Madison River with her husband, Scott. They use
places like Black’s Ford Fishing Access Site to put in or take out of the
river. Johnson said she sees why taking care of public lands and resources
takes effort from management agencies as well as recreationists.
“I’ve seen
people diving to go get their trash, and I just love that I see that effort,”
she said. “It’s a family place. It’s great for college kids. It’s anglers. It’s
lots of people out here, and we all have to do our part.”
So whether
you fish or float, here’s how you can help keep Montana’s Fishing Access Sites
open and enjoyable for everyone.
Pack it
in, pack it out. Part of being prepared to recreate on the water means
bringing the equipment you need—lunch, fly leader, something to float or sit
on. Whatever you bring, make sure to take it all home with you when your
adventure is finished.
Respect
all facilities. FWP pays for the acquisition, construction and
maintenance of facilities at Fishing Access Sites with angler-contributed
funds. Help keep these facilities in good shape by throwing trash in the
dumpsters, if provided, or disposing of trash at home. Latrines with trash in
them may have to be closed, causing an inconvenience for all users. Stay on
designated roads and don’t trespass on private property.
Park
politely. Park only in designated areas without blocking other
vehicles. Use boat trailer parking spaces only if you are towing a trailer.
Be
courteous to all users. A little patience and preparation go a long
way toward a smooth launch and takeout for everyone. Prepare your watercraft
for launch before approaching the boat ramp, then spend as little time as
possible on or near the ramp so others can use it.
If you
see a crime, report it. 1-800-TIP-MONT (847-6668) is Montana’s
toll-free hotline for reporting crimes involving wildlife or state lands.
Vandalism, theft and other crimes harm public resources. You can help put a
stop to it.
Buy a
fishing or conservation license. Even if you don’t fish, buying a
license helps maintain and enhance these sites we all enjoy. It also goes
toward conserving the wildlife you see while you’re on the water.
Following
these practices when using Fishing Access Sites not only makes for a better
recreation experience, but it will also help keep these sites operating safely
and sustainably, ensuring continued access to Montana’s water resources for
years to come.
For more information on taking care of Fishing Access Sites, please visit youtube.com/watch?v=EWSv1HV05nE&feature=youtu.be. For more information on using Fishing Access Site boat ramps, please see this recent Outdoor Report at youtube.com/watch?v=5RjRsA1mxD8.
