New Sportsman’s Bridge Fishing Access Site Opens Saturday on Flathead River

BIGFORK — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and the Montana Department of Transportation will open a new 18-acre fishing access site on the Flathead River this Saturday, replacing a decades-old facility and enhancing recreational access near Bigfork.

The new Sportsman’s Bridge Fishing Access Site opens Saturday, Aug. 2, on the west side of the Flathead River off Oldenburg Road at the intersection with Montana Highway 82. The day-use facility features a concrete boat ramp, 11 standard vehicle parking stalls and 39 truck and trailer parking spaces, with approximately 1,000 feet of river shoreline.

The development coincides with the replacement of the 70-year-old Sportsman’s Bridge, with construction beginning next week on a new structure adjacent to the existing bridge.

“The new Sportsman’s Bridge Fishing Access Site is a nice upgrade for our community and visitors,” said Amber Steed, FWP regional supervisor. “This site not only preserves access to the Flathead River but also enhances safety and capacity for recreationists, addressing the growing demand in the Flathead Valley.”

The new facility provides access to both the Flathead River and Flathead Lake, offering expanded recreational opportunities in an area that has seen increased demand from anglers and boaters.

Bridge Replacement Project

The fishing access site development was coordinated with MDT’s bridge replacement project. The current 70-year-old Sportsman’s Bridge will remain open during construction of the adjacent replacement structure, with minimal traffic impacts expected.

The new bridge will be built on the south side of the existing structure, allowing continued public access throughout the construction period.

Community Open House

MDT and Sletten Construction will host a public open house to discuss the bridge replacement project Tuesday, Aug. 5, from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Bigfork High School Community Room, 600 Commerce Street.

The drop-in event will allow community members to view construction plans, meet the project team and ask questions before work begins. No formal presentation will be made.

For more information about the bridge replacement project, visit MDT’s project webpage.

Access Changes

With the opening of the new west-side facility, FWP permanently closed the fishing access site on the east side of the river. FWP said the relocation aims to improve safety and provide better amenities for the growing number of recreationists using the area.

The site offers direct access to popular fishing waters and serves as a launch point for both river and lake recreation. The concrete boat ramp and expanded parking capacity address previous limitations at the former location.

Future Development

The project represents a collaborative effort between state agencies to maintain and improve public access while accommodating necessary infrastructure improvements. The timing ensures continuous access for recreationists even during the bridge construction phase.

FWP developed the new access site specifically to meet current demand and safety standards while preserving the recreational opportunities that have made the Sportsman’s Bridge area popular with anglers and boaters.

The facility’s design focuses on day-use recreation, with amenities tailored to support fishing, boating and other river-based activities in the Flathead Valley.