We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website.

Flathead Lake, Montana, USA

Carved out by the historic glaciers of the last ice age approximately 11,000 years ago, Flathead Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States. The Kerr Dam regulates water flow from the lake’s major tributaries — the Flathead and Swan Rivers — providing hydroelectric power, water for irrigation, and flood control. Nestled in the heart of the 100-mile long Flathead Valley…
Keep scrolling to read more.

Welcome to the ultimate guide to Flathead Lake! Article topics include:

Looking for Flathead Lake cabins or other accommodations? Save time and use this interactive map to find, compare and book at the best rates. Or explore more of our favorite travel partners.

This post contains affiliate links. If you click and purchase, we may earn a small referral fee at no extra cost to you. Read our full disclosure.

Explore Area Hotels

Nearby offer more hotel accommodations:

  • Check TripAdvisor
  • Check Expedia
  • Check Hotels.com
  • Check Booking.com

    • All About Flathead Lake, MT

    Lake Locations: USA - US West Region - Montana - Glacier Country, MT -

    Carved out by the historic glaciers of the last ice age approximately 11,000 years ago, Flathead Lake is one of the largest natural freshwater lakes in the western United States. The Kerr Dam regulates water flow from the lake’s major tributaries — the Flathead and Swan Rivers — providing hydroelectric power, water for irrigation, and flood control. Nestled in the heart of the 100-mile long Flathead Valley in northwest Montana, this moraine-dammed lake has a surface area of 122,500 acres. Its 161-mile shoreline outlines vast hiking trails of majestic mountain ranges, making it a one-stop destination for all water and land sport enthusiasts.

    The glittering blue water of Flathead Lake takes its name from its earliest settlers — the Bitterroot Salish (Flathead), Kootenai and Pend d’ Orielles tribes — residing at the Flathead Indian Reservation located at the southern half of the lake. The Mission Mountain Range towers its eastern shore, and the Salish Mountain Range, the west. The exotic Bob Marshall Wilderness is a backdrop of visual delight.

    Kerr Dam, owned by PPL Montana, is jointly operated with the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Indian Nation. The dam went into operation in 1938, raising the level of Flathead Lake by 10 feet over its natural outlet. Water levels are maintained between 2,283 and 2,293 feet above sea level. The expansive lake stretches almost 28 miles long and 16 miles wide at its widest point.

    Packing your bags for a leisure or adventure tour of Flathead Lake brings you to its beautifully landscaped vacation and residential areas with first class amenities. Whether you are a couple who wants a get-away in a private harbor, or an entire family that wants to join fun-filled communities in and around the cities or State Parks, Flathead Lake has it all.

    Anglers find rich fishing waters at Flathead Lake. It is an aquatic habitat to 25 fish species including the yellow perch, lake trout, lake whitefish, pearmouth minnow, largescale sucker, and sculpin. But the finest game fishes are the cutthroat, mackinaw, kokonee and the trophy-size bull trout. Ice fishing is popular during the winter.

    As an added amusement, Flathead Lake is also home to the fabled Flathead Lake monster known as Flathead Nessie. Nessie has been described as a whale-shaped or eel-shaped creature about 20 to 40 feet long, with piercing ebony eyes. Sightings have been recorded over the past hundred years, but no actual photos are available.

    Many watercraft, propelled by paddle, motor, and sail, traverse the waters of Flathead Lake. You can play in, on or by the water, without worrying about crowding. White-water rafting, water skiing, wakeboarding, tubing, diving, parasailing and hydrobiking are famous water sports here. The sheer size of the lake can accommodate anyone, everyone, anytime. You can bring your own water toys or rent them from nearby marinas. Or, sitting by the shore with the waves lapping at your feet is also not a bad idea.

    The area that surrounds Flathead Lake is as massive and wonderful as the lake itself, making it the adventurer’s ultimate paradise. Though it has no central hub for visitors, Flathead Lake State Park offers six different units: Wild Horse Island, Big Arm, Finley Point, Wayfarers, West Shore, and Yellow Bay. Each park provides its own unique recreation and wildlife viewing. The 2,100-acre Wild Horse Island is the largest among the parks. It is a popular camping site for hikers, mountain climbers and RV owners. You can even saddle up for a relaxing horse ride along homesteads and larch-lined trails, and get an occasional glimpse of deer, Bighorn sheep and grizzly bears. To add color to your cheeks, a nice sunbath at the Big Arm unit’s pebble beach is delightful. Boaters, swimmers and campers can also indulge in the breathtaking views and secluded privacy of West Shore Park, enjoying the fresh scent of tall firs and pines. Pick wildflowers and commune with park residents at Wayfarers by setting-up a picnic table. This area provides boat ramps, trailer dumps and dock fishing zones. If you plan your trip on time, you may even get a taste of delectable cherries from the orchards within Yellow Bay area. Scuba divers and swimmers frequent the bay as it is the deepest area of Flathead Lake’s waters. At the lake’s southeast end is the Finley Point unit with campsites, running water, boat slips and pump-out stations.

    The full range of visitor services extend to Glacier National Park, 30 miles north of Flathead Lake, offering a spectacular view of valleys, ridges, peaks and wildlife. Other golden attractions are the Ninepipe National Wildlife Refuge which is sanctuary to over 200 species of birds, and of course, Flathead Valley which was named by Golf Digest as one of the Top 50 Golf Destinations. Needless to say, golf is also a very popular sport among residents and vacationers at Flathead Lake.

    Concerts and festivals are celebrated in the charming and historic towns and cities of Kalispell, Polson, Big Fork, Somers and Elmo. Take part or watch the annual Flathead Lake Hoopfest, Cherry Blossom Festival and Full Moon Cruise. These are just some of the many much awaited events.

    No place can top the natural beauty, splendor and experience that Flathead Lake offers. So, whether you want to sweat or get wet, the “Jewel of the Northwest” awaits you to enjoy its collection of marvelous state park units and cool, pristine waters. Come and don’t delay any longer. The lake monster sure is waiting to pose for a snapshot from you!

    Things to Do at Flathead Lake

    These are some activities in the Flathead Lake, MT area visitors can enjoy:

    • Vacation Rentals
    • Fishing
    • Ice Fishing
    • Boating
    • Sailing
    • Swimming
    • Beach
    • Water Skiing
    • Wakeboarding
    • Parasailing
    • Tubing
    • Scuba Diving
    • Golf
    • Camping
    • Picnicking
    • Hiking
    • Mountain Climbing
    • Horseback Riding
    • Wildlife Viewing
    • Birding
    • National Wildlife Refuge
    • State Park
    • National Park

    What Kind of Fish Are in Flathead Lake?

    Flathead Lake has been known to have the following fish species:

    • Bull Trout
    • Eel
    • Lake Trout
    • Perch
    • Sculpin
    • Sucker
    • Trout
    • Whitefish
    • Yellow Perch
    divider

    Find Places to Stay at Flathead Lake

    If you’re considering a Flathead Lake lake house rental or hotel, we’ve made it super easy to find the best rates and compare vacation accommodations at a glance. Save time using this interactive map below.

    Note: These are affiliate links and we may earn a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Read our full disclosure policy here.

    More Sites to Book a Flathead Lake Vacation

    Our interactive Flathead Lake lodging map above is an easy tool for comparing VRBO rental homes and nearby hotels with Booking.com, but there could be times when you need to expand your search for different types of accommodations. Here are some other lake lodging partners we recommend:

    Check TripAdvisor
    Check Expedia
    Find a Campspot
    All Travel Resources

    Flathead Lake Statistics & Helpful Links

    divider

    Lake Type: Natural Freshwater Lake, Dammed

    Water Level Control: PPL Montana

    Surface Area: 122,560 acres

    Shoreline Length: 161 miles

    Normal Elevation (Full Pond): 2,893 feet

    Average Depth: 165 feet

    Maximum Depth: 371 feet

    Water Volume: 1,200,000 acre-feet

    Water Residence Time: 3.4 years

    Drainage Area: 7,086 sq. miles

    Trophic State: Oligomesotrophic

    Flathead Lake Map
    Lake Water Level
    Local Weather Forecast

    We strive to keep information on LakeLubbers as accurate as possible. If you’ve found something here that needs updating, please touch base by filling out our Content Correction form.

    Shop Flathead Lake Gifts

    Custom Lake Tumblers

    Create Your Own Captain / First Mate Custom 20oz Tumbler

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake T Shirt

    Create Your Personalized My Boat My Rules Unisex T-Shirt

    ORDER HERE
    Custom Lake Coffee Mug - On Lake Time

    Create a Custom Coffee Mug – 11oz or 15oz

    ORDER HERE
    VIEW ALL CUSTOM LAKE PRODUCTS

    More Flathead Lake news from LakeLubbers.com

    • Advertise your vacation rental property or local business: DETAILS HERE
    • The Flathead Lake forum has been discontinued: HERE’S WHY
    • New Flathead Lake photos coming soon!
    • You’re invited to join our lake-lovin’ community on Facebook and Instagram!
    • Share this Flathead Lake article with your fellow LakeLubbers: