Winter Rules In Place At Fort Peck Lake

Many winter recreational opportunities are offered at Fort Peck Lake. This information will help insure your visit will be safe and enjoyable.

When venturing out on to a recently frozen body of water there are some safety precautions that can help you be prepared for the worst. Bringing several important tools can assure that in the event of ice breakage and submersion, you can avoid hypothermia and survive. Use the buddy system; never venture on the ice alone. Wear a Life jacket. They are not just for summer. Wear safety spikes. They will provide traction and help you get out of the water. Have a 50-foot rope readily accessible. Always have extra dry clothes. Let someone know where you are going. Know the ice before you venture out on it. Weather plays a major role in ice quality and thickness.

Camping in Corps managed recreation areas is limited to 14 days within a 30 consecutive day period. All Visitors must occupy their campsites daily. Any visitor not occupying their campsite on a daily basis must remove their equipment from the area or coordinate storage of their equipment in a designated dry storage area. Crooked Creek, Fort Peck, Rock Creek and Hell Creek Marinas offer dry storage facilities. Any property, including camping equipment, boats, trailers, and other personal property left unattended for a period in excess of 24 hours, or exceeding 14 days as noted above, may be subject to enforcement action. Please pack out all trash and leave your campsite clean.

To limit erosion, prevent the spreading of noxious weeds, and to protect plants and wildlife, motorized vehicles are permitted on designated roads only. ATVs (motorcycles, etc.) must be street legal and licensed, or have an appropriate State of Montana Off-Highway Vehicle Certificate. Operators must also possess the proper driver's license issued by their state of residence.

Motorized vehicles can access the ice of Fort Peck Lake at boat ramps or at designated ice access routes only. Designated ice access routes have been posted and include the south side of Park Grove Bridge across from Roundhouse Point, second Dredge north parking lot, road behind the Shaft Buildings, McGuire Creek Recreation Area, and the Pines Recreation Area. Properly registered or licensed snowmobiles are allowed on the frozen surface of Fort Peck Reservoir only. Driving along the shoreline between the frozen lake and the high water mark is not allowed, except to navigate around an ice pressure ridge or open water by the shortest and most direct route not to exceed one-eighth mile.