FAQ | Flathead Lake Fishing Charters

There are many places to stay in the area. Please search google for specific locations. Here are a few.

Marina Cay Resort, Bigfork • Other area Lodging (Bigfork)

Area Lodging (Kalispell) • Meadow Lake Resort, Columbia Falls

Gentry River Ranch • McGregor Lake Lodge • Grouse Mountain Lodge, Whitefish
Wayfarers State Park, Bigfork • West Shore State Park, S. of Lakeside

Other Area Camping

Please call our front desk at 406.837.5861 or email [email protected]

https://marinacay.com/

https://meadowlake.com/

https://www.reservations.com/hotel/meadow-lake-resort?rmcid=tophotels&utm_source=bing&msclkid=a5f2a6d0b54115f82e03c6e13aef296e&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Top%20Hotels&utm_term=Meadow%20Lake%20Resort&utm_content=Meadow%20Lake%20Resort_1862834

https://discoverkalispell.com/camping/

Columbia Falls

https://www.gentryriverranch.com/

Camp Sites

https://discoverkalispell.com/camping/

https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/west-shore/

https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/wayfarers/

Glacier Park

https://rvshare.com/blog/top-10-campgrounds/glacier-park/

https://www.glacierparkcollection.com/lodging/west-glacier-rv-park/
Please visit https://attractionmenu.com/ for a list of activities and places to eat
COVID 19 UPDATE-EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY

If you or ANY MEMBER of your party is feeling I’ll, or has knowingly been around anyone with Covid 19 symptoms, or anyone who has tested positive, then DO NOT come aboard. We will offer a full refund of any deposits as applicable, if you choose to cancel your trip due to Covid 19 concerns.

Since all of our charters are private parties only, you do not need to be concerned about mixing with other people or groups on our boats, beyond your guide. They will wear a mask upon your request, and you are welcome to adhere to the same precautions your group is practicing at all other times.

We are continuing to offer single use containers of soft drinks and water, but we are not offering snacks or food items on any charter, including lunches on full day trips due to Covid-19 restrictions. You are welcome to bring your own beverages, but any food items are your responsibility.

Lastly, our guides retain the right to refuse boarding to anyone they feel may be showing symptoms of COVID 19, or are visibly sick at all. AGAIN, if you are feeling sick, do not come aboard.
We typically book 2 weeks to a month out during the peak season. Reservations fill up very quickly, so don’t wait till the last minute.We do have a cancellation list available when the schedule is full. You can see what dates and times are available on the website by clicking the charter you would like to go on, it will display the calendar of real time availability.
Payment is due at time of service We prefer cash or check. We do accept all major credit cards. There is a transaction fee of 3.6% added to the total if you pay with a credit or debit card. If you wish to pay with a card please let your captain know.
YES! Open water seasons are typically March through November.
We are located in Somers. We launch from the Somers boat ramp. We fish Flathead Lake and Swan Lake. These trips involve trolling for Lake Trout, bass, crappie, pike and Whitefish during its peak season, end of July to the 2-week of august. We offer river trips, you can spin cast for the smaller species mentioned above. Trophy pike fishing is better in the mornings.
Our boats are our offices, all bookings are done through Rebecca 406-871-1787, or you can book online.
You will need to provide a debit or credit card to hold your reservation. There is no deposit required. You will also need the exact date that you are wanting to go, how many people attending, your email, the best contact number reach you. You will receive a confirmation email with the google map location of where to meet your captain.
We do offer refunds with exceptions. make sure the number of guests you pay for online will be attending.. If you call to book there is no service fee. Full refunds will be given if a cancellation is made 24 HOURS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE.
Call Rebecc, she is the office manager at 406-871-1787. You can leave a message if we miss your call, or email us at flatheadlakefishing.com

We will send you a notification via email that your trip has been cancelled.

You can also text her and notify her of your cancellation. Make sure you include the name of the guest that originally booked the trip and the date of the trip.
That depends on how many guests you already have attending. Each boat has it’s own capacity. Please call Rebecca at 406-871-1787 to add an additional guest if applicable.
Our peak summer season morning trips go from 8AM-1PM and afternoons from 3-8PM. Our guides run two trips a day. If you would like an earlier or later start, please contact the captain to discuss details. Their contact information will be in your confirmation email.
YES, everyone 12 years of age and older will need to obtain a Montana fishing license before starting your charter. No exceptions. We do not sell them on our boats (although you can get them online from anywhere you have a signal). Once you receive your confirmation, info about license vendors and online instructions are included. If you are just going along for the ride, and do not intend to touch a fishing pole, then you do not need a license. Please purchase your fishing license a day or two prior to your chart. If you have to cancel your charter for any reason, Montana FWP does not offer refunds for the licenses purchased.
We provide:
- All fishing tackle and bait
- Filleting and packing your catch on ice
- water and soft drinks are provided
You will need:
- Montana fishing license (resident or non-resident)
- Appropriate clothing for the weather
- Any food items such as snacks or a lunch ( due to Covid-19 restrictions, we do not provide food items at this time)
- YES, you may bring alcohol, but please drink responsibly. We do not provide alcoholic beverages.
- Sunscreen No aerosol spray. swimwear if you would like to take a dip to cool off.
Unfortunately, our captains are on a tight schedule; if a full day is book, those accommodations can be made. We also have a local pizza place in lakeside that can deliver pizza to the dock.
No-Our boats are not set up for having dogs aboard, and they can be stressful environments for the dogs and our Captains. (The only exception is for a small dog that will remain in its carrier at all times.)
No, however, our guides give 110% to get you fish in the boat. We can’t predict what will happen and when the fish will bite. Our guides prefish the water, and mark areas that are the most successful for catching fish, but we can’t guarantee a catch.
Not at all! Our Flathead Lake trips are perfect for everyone, from complete novices of all ages to experienced anglers alike. The Captains take care of all the rigging, explaining everything as they do, but when the fish strike, it is all on you! (We will coach you as necessary, but you fight the fish to the boat). Rod tips up!
Yes! Summer months can be very hot on the lake especially July-August. Please talk to your captain and let him know that you would like to get in the water to cool off.
We enjoy having kids aboard, anglers younger than 5-7 sometimes feel frustrated that they aren’t “part of the action” due to the environment. We have to keep a close eye on fingers and hands near moving equipment, sharp objects and fast action. Please be prepared as the parent to keep a very close eye on your younger children at all times. All children under 12 MUST wear a life jacket at all times, and especially with the younger ones, bringing their own can make it an easier experience. A half day charter is the best option for younger ones.
We encourage all of our guests to keep a few fish for the table, which we will gladly clean and fillet for you, packing fish to “send back home” is not easily accomplished here and often not realistic like in places like Alaska. It is very expensive to pack and ship via UPS or Fed-Ex, so please respect our resource and only keep what you are prepared to eat fresh, or properly freeze or smoke immediately.
Like most personal service activities, tips are a normal way of life. At a minimum, the cost of your charter includes a professionally outfitted fishing boat, quality fishing gear and all safety equipment, fuel, and the guide. You would pay equal or perhaps much more for just the boat, gear and fuel for a “do it yourself” trip and still not have the knowledge, skills and entertainment factor of a local guide, often the keys to a successful and enjoyable time on the water. With that in mind, the typical gratuity for a professional guide of any kind is 20-25% of the total cost of the trip.
There are no bathrooms, we can run to shore easy if anyone needs to use the restroom. We ask that all guests use the restroom prior to the trip. The Somers Boat Ramp does offer a restroom facility.
Customers will receive a full refund or credit if the cancellation is made 24 hours prior to departure. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone or email to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price with the credit card provided to hold the booking. If you are having any Covid-19 symptoms 48 hours prior to your scheduled charter, the charter will be either rescheduled or cancelled.
Yes, If requested we will fillet your catch on the boat, bag it and put it on ice while you fish. Bring a cooler in your vehicle for transport of catch.
At this time No, due to food safety laws most restaurants will not take fish that is brought in.
No, and at this time Perfect Cuts no longer does shipping, we have called around are still on the lookout for someone who will provide this service for you all.
No, there are local shuttle and taxi services available as well as Uber.
$450. The cost is $400.00 for one person. Additional guests are $25.00 each. Anyone not wanting to reel in fish does not need to purchase a fishing license.
No, each additional guest is $25.00
Anytime
Lake Superior Whitefish 2 – 4lbs. avg.; Lake Trout (Mackinaw) 2 – 10lbs. avg.; Northern Pike 2 – 10lbs. avg.
Subject to change per FWP regulations. Please view the website for pricing. https://fwp.mt.gov/fish/fishMTFAQ.html You can purchase your fishing license online. We do not need the printed copy. Your fishing license is emailed to you.

Resident or Non-Resident: Age 0-11yo. No license required. FREE fishing is Fathers Day weekend – no license required. Must observe all limits and regulations; 11 and under do not need a fishing license.

For NON-RESIDENT: (If >11y/o) annual conservation license = $10; annual Aquatic Invasive Species permit = $15; Fishing License: 2 consecutive calendar days = $25; 10 consecutive days = $56; Season (February 29th, 2020 – Feb. 28, 2021) = $86.

Example: 21 yo Non-resident 2day license would cost $10+$15+$25 = $50.00
NO, BRING YOUR FISHING LICENSE WITH YOU.
Locally at Snappy’s Sports Senter , Sportsman’s and Ski Haus, Cabelas, Walmart, Papa’s Woods Bay Market in Bigfork, or you can purchase them online at: www.fwp.mt.gov/fishing/license
See MT Fish and Wildlife regulations for complete details.

Flathead Lake ———north of Flathead Indian Reservation boundary • Catch-and-release for Cutthroat Trout. • Lake Trout: 100 daily and in possession, only 1 over 36 inches, and all fish 30 to 36 inches must be released. • Lake Whitefish: 100 daily and in possession. Northern Pike: 15 daily.

Whitefish Lake –- Lake Trout: 20 daily and in possession, only 1 over 36 inches. All fish 30 to 36 inches must be released. Whitefish: 20 daily. Northern Pike: 15 daily.
Flathead Lake – Somers, MT, Flathead Lake Boat Ramp

https://bit.ly/2TQTUH8

If your scheduled charter is at 8am, please do not arrive between 7:00am-7:30am Our captains are sanitizing surfaces and preparing for your charter.
8am-1pm for morning half day, 3-8pm for afternoon half day. 8am-5pm for a full day.

If your scheduled charter is at 8am, please do not arrive early between 7:00am-7:30am. Our captains are sanitizing surfaces and preparing for your charter.
The designated parking lot is located right next to the Somers boat access, located right off of US 93, in Somers, across from Boon Road. You will find two wide boat ramps, a public dock, restrooms, and good parking. After parking, walk over to the boat ramp and your captain will be waiting for you.
Call Rebecca at 406-871-1787, she will direct you on where to go and notify your captain that you are running late. If you are more than 20 minutes late, your charter will be either cancelled or rescheduled. Our captains run a tight schedule; to ensure everyone gets their allotted fishing time, we ask that you view the google map link provided to you in the confirmation email so you know how long it will take you to reach the boat launch.

Frequently Asked Questions