Fellow anglers... I'm working on a project with FWP in Region 5 regarding fishing access sites and would appreciate input from those of you who fish this region. Region 5 include the Musselshell to the north, the Boulder to the west, the state line to the south and the Bighorn to the east. If you have a few minutes, could you post or PM me with the following info:

If you could add or enhance 5 fishing access sites in Region 5, where would they be? You don't need to limit your answers to large or popular streams, and if you want to list more than five, go ahead. Exclude Forest Service or NPS lands. Here's an example of what you might respond with:

1. Access between 3 mile and Bighorn FAS on the Bighorn River.
2. Access between Roberts and Rockvale on Rock Creek.
3. Access between Absaroka FAS and Whitebird FAS on the Stillwater.
4. Access at Twin Bridges on the Yellowstone.
5. More access on the Boulder, East and West Boulder anywhere!

I sure appreciate you help and input!

-Doug

Hi Doug,

My initial list would include the following:

1. Access between Columbus and Buffalo Mirage on the Yellowstone. I know this is(was) in the works.
2. Enhanced access at St Xavier on the Bighorn. I would like to see a boat ramp.
3. Access between White Bird FAS and Absarokee on the Stillwater.
4. More access on the Boulder above Big Rock FAS.
5. Additional access points between 3mile FAS and Bighorn FAS on the Bighorn. With the addition of the St X FAS, this could help to distribute people a bit better.
6. Access sites along the Clarks Fork river near the border.

Thanks for listening!

Paul

Excellent, Paul! Just what I was looking for!

Anybody else?

-D

Hey Doug,

I hope more people respond to this thread. Don't forget that Doug is on Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park's Region Five Citizen Advisory Council.

Now to another item.

I found out the access below Columbus is apparently dead in the water. The railroad was apparently the obstacle. They wanted very expensive signs and perhaps even a gate! This is disappointing, since I'm pretty sure Bratten crosses the railroad tracks and doesn't have an expensive crossing gate. <sigh> I really feel that this would be a tremendous pseudo-urban access points for the Yellowstone country region.

Thanks for the bump, Paul! If you do fish these waters in Region 5, and have something to add, please post a comment. Prelim meeting tomorrow and another in a week. The more we have, the better our chances.

So far, from numerous feedback sources, these are the most popular requests for new or additional access sites:

Boulder river above Big Rock
Rock Creek between Roberts and Rockvale
Bighorn between 3 Mile and Bighorn FAS
Bighorn at St. X
Yellowstone between Columbus and Park City
Stillwater between Absaroka and Whitebird

If even they've already been mentioned, indicate your desires so we can prioritize them. Thanks for your help!

-Doug

I would also like to see a access with boat ramp at St Xavier

Do you mean more access points between Absaroka FAS & Whitebird FAS? Or do you mean working on re-establishing the access that used to be at Miller's Bridge? Access definitely needs to be improved for the general public with parking. This will increase pressure on "my" river in a location where I already have permission to access from private property.

More access on the Boulder is needed.

We're looking for new access sites as well as sites where public access is allowed by law but has been blocked (such as bridge access and/or county roads that have been gated). My concern is getting new access sites, and protecting the access we enjoy now.

To answer your question specifically, yes, more new access points between Absaroka and Whitebird. And NO DOUBT there needs to be more access to the Boulder.

Will new access put pressure on spots that were relatively unpressured before? Sure, it might. But it might also relieve pressure on other spots. I believe adding new sites doesn't necessarily increase the numbers of fisherman so much as it spreads them out. For example, suppose the Boulder had 8 FAS sites (like the Stillwater). I'd bet a lot of pressure would be taken off the Stillwater!

-Doug

Do you mean MRL Bridge 51 between Reedpoint and "upstream" from Columbus?
That highway bridge was written up recently in a MDT newsletter. Can't remember the
reason.



<I found out the access below Columbus is apparently dead in the water. The railroad was apparently the obstacle. They wanted very expensive signs and perhaps even a gate! >