Over 270 different species of birds have been identified within 20 miles of Fort Peck. The Missouri River seems to bring many species into, or stop many species at, the area below the dam. The lake above the dam also attracts many water-related species.
Anyone interested in birding should check out the Kiwanis Downstrem Use Area, which has, at least in past years, attracted many migrant birds such as warblers and thrushes. This area also has had many nesting species such as Orchard Orioles, Northern Orioles (both Baltimore and Bullocks' forms), Yellow-Breasted Chats, and others.
The river immediately below the powerplants usually has White Pelicans, Double-crested Cormorants, two species of gulls, and more. Glaucous and Thayer's gulls are seen quite regularly in November and December. Also, bald eagles that winter along open water below the dam provide a rare but exciting opportunity for bird watchers.
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Fishing -- Fort Peck Lake receives nationwide recognition as a hot spot for walleye fishing. The lake also offers excellent fishing for sauger, smallmouth bass, lake trout, Chinook salmon and northern pike. The introduction of cisco as a forage fish in 1983 proved successful and has increased both the size and number of game fish.
Walleye and sauger are found throughout the lake and are usually caught in water less that 25 feet deep. Note -- Click here for information on the Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament. Smallmouth bass are most abundant in the middle portion of the lake between Hell Creek and Devil's Creek. Lake trout and Chinook salmon are found in the deep water at the lower end of the lake. The trout and salmon can be caught in shallow water in the early spring or late fall, and in deep water during the summer. Salmon and lake trout weighing 15 to 20 pounds are common.
Camping, boating, and water skiing -- Camping facilities are available at many recreational areas surrounding the lake. At several of these areas boat ramps are available for open use. Water skiing is a great activity, and there is plenty of water to ski on.
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The Fort Peck Theatre was built in 1934, used primarily during the construction of the dam as entertainment for the workers. Currently, it is used as a summer theatre, running programs from mid-June to mid-August on Fridays through Sundays. It is a family-oriented theatre; plays presented at the theatre have included "Oliver", "Something's Afoot", "Gypsy", "Cabaret", "Annie", "The Sound of Music" and "Fiddler on the Roof." The acting company changes every year, and includes native Montanans, as well as recruits from all across the country.
Tickets are available at the door and curtain time is 8 p.m. nightly. Dress is casual. For further ticket information, call 406-228-9219.
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Besides fishing on the Fort Peck Lake, the Nelson Reservoir near Malta provides some excellent fishing opportunities as well. It is ranked the #1 walleye spot in the state. Besides walleye, yellow perch and northern pike are stocked in the lake. A state record 14 pound walleye and a possible record northern pike were caught here.
Paddlefish is another very popular, but elusive fish for people to catch. They are sought on the Missouri River between Fred Robinson Bridge on Highway 191 and the head of Fort Peck Reservoir. They are also found along the Yellowstone River near Sidney and Fairview. Paddlefish are huge -- females grow larger than their male counterparts and often exceed 100 pounds!
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There are eight golf courses throughout the Missouri Country of Montana. All of the courses are 9 holes, with 18 hole rates available. All of them have excellent greens except Big Muddy at Redstone, which has sand greens.
Airport Golf Club -- Located 4 miles southeast of Wolf Point on Highway 25, it is one of the best groomed courses in the region. It offers a challenge to even the most skilled golfers. Tee times aren't required, but are advised on weekends and holidays. There is a pro shop with club rentals, as well as motorized and pull carts available. Call (406)653-2161 for more information and tee times.
Plentywood Golf Club -- This is a public course, open from 7:00 AM until dark. The course is 5,916 yards long, and is hilly, breezy, and open. Rentals are available in the pro shop, but dining is not available on site. Call (406)765-2532 for info and tee times.
Big Muddy Golf Club -- It is located 3 1/2 miles north of Redstone, sign posted. It is a 2,736 yard public course with sand greens. Charge is $2.00 for 9 holes or all day! Soft drinks and a refrigerator are available on site.
Sleeping Buffalo Resort Golf Course -- This course is located in Saco, 17 miles east of Malta. The course is part of the Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs Resort, which is open 9:00 AM until dark. There is a pro shop, full restaurant, bar and lounge facilities, full motel and camping facilities, pool, natural mineral hot springs and a waterslide at the resort. Rentals are available. Call (406)527-3370 for more information.
Sidney Country Club -- This course is private open to out-of-town visitors. Nine enjoyable holes suit all levels of golfers. Lunches and refreshments are served in the club house. There is a pro shop on site, with rentals available. Tee times are required, so call (406)482-1894.
Scobey Golf Club -- It is a semi-private course, which is open to the public. The hours are from dawn to dusk. It is 3,059 yards long with two long par 5 holes and water hazards. This course has been called "the best kept secret in northeast Montana." Call (406)487-5322 for info and tee times.
Marion Hills Golf Club -- Located at the south edge of Malta, this course is open to the public. It is a 3,475 yard course, and is considered the most challenging in the region. Visitors are welcome. Soft drinks are available. Call (406)654-1649 for further information.
Sunnyside Golf & Country Club -- This is a semi-private club open to non-resident visitors. The club house is open seven days a week. The course has a yardage of 3,152 yards from the men's tees. It is reputed to have the best greens in northeastern Montana. Refreshments are available. For more information and tee times, call (406)228-9519.
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MONTANA GOVERNOR'S CUP WALLEYE TOURNAMENT:
The Montana Governor's Cup Walleye Tournament, sponsored by the Glasgow Area Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture, is a two-person team event. Ten percent of the teams entering will receive cash awards based on the total weight of their catch. Fishing is only allowed in a specific area of the lake in the Fort Peck area.
The governors of all states are invited to participate or to send a representative team. Representative teams do not have to pay an entry fee, but can't receive awards if they do not. The Governor's Cup Trophy is awarded to the governor of the state placing highest among these representative teams.
For information regarding the Governor's Cup Tournament call the Glasgow Chamber of Commerce at (406)228-2222, or write:
| Glasgow Chamber of Commerce |
| Box 832 |
| Glasgow, MT 59230 |
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The hunting season begins in early fall with the opening of upland birds, doves and turkeys. The general big game archery season opens about the same time. The general big game gun hunting begins in mid-fall, with the end of the archery season.
Bird populations can fluctuate from year to year, depending on weather patterns and available nesting cover. Opportunities to bag sharptail grouse, sage grouse, and Hungarian partridge are usually good. Doves are abundant early in the season, but decline noticeably by mid-September, as they migrate south for the winter. Turkey hunting is open only in counties south of the Missouri River. Waterfowl hunting includes various puddle ducks and Canada geese as main targets. There are numerous reservoirs and lakes in the area that are excellent for waterfowl hunting. A limited number of swan permits are given out by special drawing in Helena, and crane permits are available in some areas.
Big game begin with elk and some bighorn sheep in the Missouri Breaks area. About 1600 head of elk roam along Fort Peck Lake and the Missouri River above the dam. Archery hunting of elk is very popular, with several thousand archers participating each year. However, the success rate is general less than 10 percent. Bighorn Sheep numbers have increased in recent years in the Missouri Breaks area. A limited number of permits are available in the Little Rocky Mountains and in the Breaks for bighorn sheep.
Deer and antelope are plentiful throughout the plains and Missouri River regions. Whitetail deer are abundant along the tree-surrounded Missouri River, while mule deer and antelope cover the plains. Most deer and antelope hunting takes place on private land, as well as BLM and Fish & Wildlife land leased by ranchers.
REMEMBER --- ALWAYS ASK FOR PERMISSION BY THE OWNER BEFORE ENTERING PRIVATE LAND, AND ALWAYS OBEY POSTED SIGNS.
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Visitors to Montana can make their vacation much more memorable by having the opportunity to view wildlife in abundance in their natural habitat. Mule and white-tailed deer, antelope, pronghorn antelope, as well as about 270 species of birds can be viewed throughout the region. Hotspots for wildlife viewing include: Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge, Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, C. M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge, and the UL Bend National Wildlife Refuge.
Here are a few tips and hints to improve your wildlife viewing success:
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The Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede is the oldest professional rodeo in Montana and is even older than the term "rodeo". The event was started by the Assiniboine and Sioux Indians as an Indian day for riding and celebration. It was called "Ride 'em Sioux Celebration". Local cowboys soon joined in and all would ride full gallop through the frontier town of the time. Over the last fifty years, the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede has grown and evolved into a full-fledged, sanctioned, Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association rodeo, complete with top contenders in every event from all over the United States and Canada.
The Wild Horse Race is the featured event at the Stampede. It consists of three cowboys on foot who try to saddle wild, unbroken horses in the arena. One team member then attempts to ride the animal across a given scoreline.
Other events of the Wolf Point Wild Horse Stampede weekend include: Parades daily at noon, Cowboy Church services on Sunday, and Carnival on Thursday through Sunday. For tickets call (406)653-2012 or write:
| Wolf Point Chamber of Commerce |
| P.O. Box 237 |
| Wolf Point, MT 59201 |