Ashley Lake is located in northwest Montana at an elevation of 3500 feet. The lake is 4 miles long and 2 miles wide. There is a campground located on the north shore of the lake with a few tent and trailer sites. Fishing is good for kokanee, cutthroat, yellow perch and an occasional rainbow-cutthroat hybrid. There is a swimming area, boat ramp, picnic tables and restrooms provided. Pets are welcome.
Directions
Travel 16 miles west of Kalispell on Highway 2, then 13 miles north on gravel road.
 

Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. The southern half of Flathead Lake is within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation. Recreationists must purchase a tribal recreation permit.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks maintains thirteen public access sites around the lake. These sites include: Sportsmans Bridge, Somers, Big Fork, and Juniper Beach fishing access sites; Wayfarers, Woods Bay, Yellow Bay, Finely Point, Walstad Memorial, Big Arm, and Elmo state recreation areas, which have toilets, boat launch, camping, swimming and picnic facilities; and West Shore State Park, located twenty miles south of Kalispell on Highway 93. Also located along the west shore near the Big Arm is Wildhorse Island, a 2,165-acre state park. The park is accessible only by boat and is a public day use and picnic area only, no overnight camping.

Recreation on and around the lake includes: sailing, power boating, waterskiing, swimming, fishing, picnicking, and camping. In the summer, roadside stands along the east shore offer a variety of locally grown cherries, apples, plums, and other fruits. There are numerous motels and rental cabins in addition to public campgrounds scattered all around the shoreline. The major population centers around the lake are Kalispell, Bigfork, and Polson, all of which offer a complete variety of groceries, supplies, and information.
Directions
Flathead Lake is located in the northwest region of Montana. The east shore is bordered by Montana Highway 35 and the west side of the lake is accessible from US Highway 93 between Polson and Kalispell.
 

Scenic Holland Lake covers 400 acres and has average populations of kokanee salmon, rainbow trout and bull trout. Fishing is best here in the early spring, late fall and, through the ice, in the winter. Holland Lake is popular for water skiing, canoeing and swimming during the summer. T20N, R16W, Section 35. Camping is available with 41 designated campsites along 2 loops.
Directions
9 miles south east of Condon on Montana Highway 83, 3 miles east on Forest Road 44; Holland Lake Road.
 

This 90-mile-long lake provides excellent fishing and boating opportunities. Species of fish include rainbow and cutthroat trout, whitefish, kokanee, and burbot (Ling cod), and streams draining into the lake offer good fishing for brook trout. Tours of Libby Dam, from which the reservoir is generated, are available during the summer months. Libby Dam is located approximately 43 miles south of Rexford.

Several recreation areas are located along the lake. Rocky Gorge has 120 campsites suitable for tents and recreational vehicles. A boat ramp gives access to the lake. Peck Gulch has restrooms, a boat ramp, and plenty of sites for picnicking or camping. The Barron Creek Recreation Site has a boat ramp and dispersed camping areas. McGillivray Recreation Site is a campground and day use area with group picnic shelters. Overnight camping, ball fields, a swimming beach, and a boat ramp are available. A short boat ride from this recreation area will take you to Yarnell Islands, which have camping and picnicking facilities.
Directions
From Eureka, follow State Highway 37 south for 7 miles to the town of Rexford and Rexford Bench Complex. Traveling from this point, either north or south, will take you past several campgrounds and boat launching facilities.
 

Smith Lake Fishing Access Site is a day use only site. The site offers a boat launch, toilets and access to camp trailers. It is open all season. Existing ADA Level: Easy Accessibility.
Directions
Smith Lake Fishing Access Site is located 7 miles west of Kalispell on Highway 2 to milepost 112, then 3 miles south on County Road.
 

Swan Lake became a rural station out of Big Fork. It may be named for the swans that often visit here, or for Emmett Swan, an early resident. (from Cheney’s Names on the Face of Montana, Mountain Press Publishing Company)
Off the beaten path, the village of Swan Lake is nestled along scenic Highway 83 at the southern tip of its namesake, Swan Lake. A vibrant timber camp in the early 1900s, this seemingly sleepy little village is now famous as a getaway destination for exceptional lake and stream fishing, hiking, bird watching and backcountry Nordic skiing in the Swan and Mission Mountain ranges.
 

Glacially carved rock outcrops rise from Flathead Lake to overlooks with spectacular views of the lakeshore and the Swan and Mission Mountains. Considered the most private park on Flathead Lake, this site is distinguished by a mature fir, pine, and larch forest. The beach is rocky but you can still swim, boat, and camp here. For more information on Flathead Lake State Parks, read Water, Water Everywhere , 2003 Montana Outdoors article.