Harper’s Bridge Fishing Access Site Open with Improved Facilities in Montana
OutdoorHub 05.10.12
Harper’s Bridge Fishing Access Site (FAS), on the Clark Fork River just west of Missoula, is open with new and improved facilities, including a concrete boat ramp, latrine and gravel parking area.
“Before this project was completed the site was state-owned, but there were no facilities, not even an on-site parking area,” said Rory Zarling, FWP’s Region 2 FAS Coordinator. “The popularity of the FAS has grown since we acquired it in 2008, and we think these developments will help to accommodate this use.”
Zarling says that the new site design provides a safer, more organized public use of the site and provides long-term protection of the resources by directing boat use to the new ramp and parking to the 17-vehicle lot.
The development makes the FAS an easy launch site for Petty Creek FAS, 20 miles downstream, as well as a take-out location for a shorter float from Kona Bridge FAS, approximately three miles upstream, or Kelly Island, approximately nine miles upstream.
Zarling reminds boaters that new motorized boating regulations for the Clark Fork say that from Harper’s Bridge FAS, downstream to St. John’s FAS, motorized watercraft (except personal watercraft) can operate from Oct. 1-June 15 and motorized watercraft of 20 horsepower or less are allowed from June 16 to Sept. 30. Upstream from Harper’s to Kelly Island Fishing Access Site (FAS), motorized watercraft (except personal watercraft), are allowed from May 1-June 15 and motorized watercraft of 20 horsepower or less are allowed Oct 1-Jan. 31. The rest of the year is float only.
Boaters can review the new regulations online at fwp.mt.gov under “recreation,” “rules and regulations” and “boating.”
Harper’s FAS is open year-round and can be accessed by driving approximately eight miles west of Missoula on Mullan Road to Harper’s Bridge Road, and then 1.5 miles to site.
