Whether you live in Montana or if you're planning to visit, a dive in Flathead Lake is a must. The lake encompasses over 200 square miles of water, and is the largest freshwater lake in the United States. Located between Polson and Kalispell and easy to access via Highway 93, the lake is just an hour north of the beautiful city of Missoula, and is the centerpiece to one of Montana's most incredible state parks.
Highlights of a Dive Trip to Flathead Lake
While maximum depth at Flathead Lake is 369 feet, there are many beautiful areas to explore which are well within reach for even novice divers. Expect to see amazing rock formations and huge boulders; the lake was carved by glacial activity and offers an intimate view of Montana's geologic roots. The lake is home to whitefish and lake trout, some of which are huge at over twenty pounds. You'll also encounter cutthroat trout and bull trout as you dive.
There are several different areas to explore, and best of all, day use permits still cost less than ten dollars. Here is a quick overview of the most popular areas for diving, with some offering good snorkeling as well.
-
Big Arm - With a pebble beach and campsites among ponderosa pine and juniper, Big Arm has a boat launch that makes entry and exit simple. Explore the rock formations along the shoreline and watch the fish! Maximum depth is 32 feet.
-
West Shore - Here, the rock formations are at their best, rising up from the lakebed to tower above the surface. If you like underwater photography, this is a good place to get some stunning shots.
-
Yellow Bay - This is the deepest part of the lake, plus it has warm, sandy beaches. The beaches and the beauty of the area make it one of the lake's busier destinations. There is a tent campground here so if you want to stay for a few days, you can do so with ease. While tech divers enjoy the opportunity to make deep dives here, the best features are at depths between 30 and 60 feet.
-
Cedar Island - The southern tip of the island is just beautiful, with lots of rocks and plenty of fish. Non-divers enjoy snorkeling in this area as there is so much to see.
-
Wildhorse Island - There is a small population of horses on the island, plus there are bighorn sheep and bears, along with other animals. Beneath the surface, a gently sloping gravel bottom leads to a depth of 17 feet. Explore the area under the docks to see if you can find any "treasure."
-
Bird Island - A mixed bottom with some sandy patches and some areas of lakeweed create the perfect habitat for fish here. You'll find huge rock formations, too. The best features are at depths above 60 feet.
-
Blue Bay - While it is possible to reach a depth of 180 feet in Blue Bay, the famous blue bay wrecks are located at a depth of about 60 feet. Three boats were sunk here to attract fish, and they have done their job admirably. To see the wrecks, enter at the swim dock and follow the yellow rope to the wrecks.
While temperatures at the surface can be in the 70's during the summer months, there are several thermoclines in the lake. Wear a full wetsuit during the summer, and if you dive in spring or fall, wear a dry suit. Ice diving is sometimes possible at Flathead too. No matter what time of year you want to visit, you'll be treated to excellent visibility and amazing underwater vistas.