Access to the
Kootenai River (from Highway 2 below Troy to Libby)
Note:
MM=Mileage Marker signs
MM 1.9: Fishing access to the Kootenai River
The access is
right next to a residence. Drive one mile to a parking place, but do not drive
the last two-tenths of a mile to the old bridge - it is steep at the bottom,
and there is little room to turn around. The road is bumpy and un-maintained
and leads to a closed bridge. Upriver from the bridge is a long bank with
shallow water. Park up from the bridge and follow the trail down to the river.
This could be a good evening spot in the early summer or fall.
MM 3: Junction
with Route 508 to Yaak, Montana.
Two dueling bars face each other across the street.
MM 6.2: Yaak Campground, Boat Launch. 44 campsites, pull-throughs, water, toilets, fee area.
MM 7.8: Fishing access.
The turn-around offers a jeep trail which follows the river downstream.
MM 10: Fishing access, boat launch. Follow Forest Drive and then Beachward Trail a half-mile to
a nice boat launch.
MM 10: Kilbrennan Lake: 9.2 mile.
Kilbrennan Lake is a 59-acre lake, and is deep in the middle. At the far
end of the lake is a non-fee campground and a boat launch. The lake is full of
perch and bullhead, but boat fishermen can catch good numbers of brook trout on
the side of the lake opposite the road. Locals tend to fill up this campground
Thursday through Sunday. Seven campsites, toilets, non-fee.
MM 11.8: Bridge crossing.
MM 14: Troy, Montana; Kootenai River boat launch. Turn on Third Street and drive
four-tenths of a mile, and then turn left on Riverside Drive another
four-tenths of a mile to the launch.
MM 15: Callahan Creek Road.
Callahan Creek is not accessible in its lower reaches near Troy, as the
road climbs up the mountain for a number of miles. To fish this creek, you will
need to drive all the way back to the bridge by the south fork and north fork.
From this point you can fish the main stem of the creek or the forks. The creek
is boulder-strewn, however, so walking is tough for the young and old. Fish for
small cutthroats. The road is paved all the way with the exception of the last
mile and a half. From the highway to the bridge is 7.5 miles.
MM 21: Kootenai Falls Scenic Trail
MM 22.2: Fishing access along the railroad track.
MM 23: Fishing access (rapids).
MM 30: Libby, Montana.
Tributary
Creeks and Lakes of the Kootenai River
Side Trip - Route 567 from Libby to Yaak. (Alternate route.) Follow
California Street out of Libby and cross the Kootenai River (boat launch just
by the bridge). California Street changes to Route 567. Take Route 567 (also
called Pipe Creek Road) to Yaak, a distance of 37 miles. Pipe Creek gets fairly
small during the summer. Nonetheless, it offers good fishing for small trout.
The East Fork of Pipe Creek is a tiny, brushy creek holding small brookies.
