Amazing views of Flathead Lake from this 10+ acres and home. Together with the Swan River, they drain the eastern portion of the watershed and serve as the two central tributaries to Flathead Lake, emptying into the northeast portion of the lake. Glacier National Park from Missoula VIP Jeep Day Tour. Apples and cherries, which are usually grown at lower latitudes, are grown along the shores of Flathead Lake where the lake produces an exceptionally moderate climate. The North, Middle, and South Forks of the Flathead River join together upstream of Columbia Falls, forming the upper Flathead River system. - Aldo Leopold, 1887 -1948. The same goes for Shelter Island Estate, a 22,000-square-foot manor on a private island perched off the western shore of Flathead Lake near Rollins. 363 Reviews #1 of 11 things to do in Polson. Native bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout spawn in the clear, icy tributaries to Flathead Lake. Bodies of Water. Huckleberries are a native fruit that grows wild in the Flathead Watershed mountains and valleys. Search MLS. Lake Flathead Lake is the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi in the lower 48 states, with over 200 square miles of water and 185 miles of shoreline. SOMERS – Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has proposed purchasing 189 acres of farmland and wetlands along the north shore of Flathead Lake and incorporating it into its wildlife management Specialty crops include canola, lawn sod, mint, mustard, grapes, raspberries, strawberries, and seed potatoes. Numerous food crafters make and sell huckleberry and other local fruit products at popular farmers markets and craft fairs. Today a substantial portion of land in the watershed remains in agricultural production. An average lake trout is considered to be in the three to eight pound range and are caught frequently. Later, at the beginning of the 20th Century, many acres of land on the Flathead Reservation, including Wild Horse Island, passed from tribal ownership to private. There are many other large and small huckleberry product producers throughout the watershed. 363 Reviews #1 of 11 things to do in Polson. Nestled in the heart of the 100-mile long Flathead Valley in northwest Montana, this moraine-dammed lake has a surface area of 122,500 acres. Ironically, the culture and customs of agriculture are at risk because of the increased land values resulting from people who desire to live in rural areas. It’s the most expensive piece of luxury real estate on the market in Montana — $29 million for 22 acres — and its character is as uncommon as the natural wonders surrounding it. In 2009, Flathead and Lake Counties produced 58,800 head of cattle, of which 36,200 were sold for beef and 400 were for dairy. In 2007 there were 320 farms in both counties each farm with annual sales over $50,000. Nestled on 6 private acres (no other homes in sight) is this incredible 3 bedroom, 3 bath well cared for home. The roads and highways come alive with roadside stands throughout the watershed in the summer months. Nestled in the heart of the 100-mile long Flathead Valley in northwest Montana, this moraine-dammed lake has a surface area of 122,500 acres. Headquartered in Pablo, the Flathead Reservation is ranked fourth in land base encompassing approximately 1.3 million acres. Privately owned before the state bought it in 1978-79, several private lots and homes remain on the island. By committing to support the farm operation in advance, consumers are covering the costs of food production up front and sharing in both the bounty and the risks of the operation.  Consumers typically pick up their shares weekly either at the farm or at regular delivery sites. Citizens of the Flathead Watershed can buy vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers, plants, grains, eggs, milk, beef, and pork at farmers markets and through Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) agreements—all locally grown by their hard-working friends and neighbors. FarmHands The southern half of Flathead Lake is within the boundary of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Flathead Reservation. The Trading Post draws in movie stars and TV news anchors for a taste of huckleberry jelly or a scoop of huckleberry ice cream on the patio next to the kitchen. The lake trout on Flathead Lake average around eight pounds, but many go well over 20. Doug Allard, a member of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, opened a souvenir store in 1973 which over the years expanded to include a gas station, convenience store, motel, an Indian museum, and huckleberry products. This property consists of 160+/- forested acres and is located in a mountainous area approximately 24 road miles southwest of Kalispell. From the pristine headwaters in Glacier National Park and the Bob Marshall Wilderness water flows through nearly six million acres (over two million hectares) of forests, farms, and cities. Less than 100 farms in Lake County and less than 50 in Flathead County were 500 acres … Campbell said the crop is roughly 60% of last years haul which brought in 2 million pounds. Quick View. Huckleberries are sweet, high in vitamin C, and are popular for pies, waffles, jam, ice cream, and smoothies. Many of the smaller farms are family specialty farms and not likely providing a primary source of income to their owners. The waters of the Flathead, Stillwater, Swan, and Whitefish rivers all unite and join Flathead Lake, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi River. Of 56 counties in Big Sky Country, Flathead County is second in terms of its size (3 million acres). https://www.alltrails.com/parks/us/montana/flathead-national-forest Located in the northwest corner of the state of Montana, 7 miles (11 km) south of Kalispell, it is approximately 30 miles (48 km) long and 16 miles (26 km) wide, covering 197 square miles (510 km ). Many areas of the watershed have deep, well structured soils capable of producing a variety of crops. This is the largest island in Flathead Lake at 2,134 acres (864 hectares) and, in fact, is one of the largest islands in the inland United States. Several locals have made full-time businesses out of huckleberries, making preserves, coffees, candies, and other products. Volumes given for lakes shared with Canada and Mexico are for the total volume of the lake. Flathead Lake contains 200-square miles of water and is ringed by 185 miles of shoreline. Public access to the lake is within a few miles. Their mission is to protect the area’s rich working farmlands for future generations. Flathead Watershed. All the company’s preserves and syrups are homemade in their cozy shop on Electric Avenue. Get the full experience and book a tour. The Flathead Watershed has a long tradition of agricultural land uses. AWESOME FLATHEAD LAKE HOME includes 4 bedrooms, 5 baths, large bonus room & beautiful rock fireplace. The fruit is as popular with people as it is with bears. Bodies of Water. Get the full experience and book a tour. A Comprehensive Guide for Things to Do and See at Flathead Lake State Parks — All 6 of Them! Farming in the Flathead Watershed comes with a high degree of uncertainty. Flathead Lake contains 200-square miles of water and is ringed by 185 miles of shoreline. Surprise early or late freezes and drought can devastate the industry. Of 56 counties in the Treasure State, Flathead County is second in terms of its size (3 million acres). The property is located in a … Watch for the nest platforms of osprey that game officials have established atop telephone poles right next to the road. Several farmers and producers in the watershed participate in CSA agreements. $1,000.00 per adult. In 2007 there were 320 farms in both counties each farm with annual sales over $50,000. Farmers markets in Bigfork, Columbia Falls, Jocko Valley, Kalispell, Polson, and Whitefish offer foods, crafts, and sometimes music, appealing to locals and visitors alike.  Small acreage and specialty crop farmers sell from baskets of fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers. The Swan Lake Huckleberry Festival takes place on the shores of Swan Lake with music, raffles, a silent auction, lake activities, lots of huckleberry-laden foods, and the fierce Huckleberry Baking Contest. Eva Gates Homemade Preserves in downtown Bigfork—the oldest huckleberry business in Montana—began with Eva making preserves from her strawberry patch in 1949 when the patch was unusually abundant. The Flathead Lake Biological Station (FLBS) is a Center of Excellence and administrative unit within the University of Montana system. First attempts made were to use the land for subsistence farming and ranching, but these ultimately failed. The growing season—the number of days above 32°F (0°C) for five out of ten years—ranges from 104 to 135 days per year depending on location. Hundreds of millions of years in the making, the Flathead Watershed is now a beautiful and complex patchwork of productive farms and ranches, spectacular wilderness, and vibrant cities. Recent listings of lakefront property for sale in Montana's Flathead County totals 2,000 acres and a combined market value of approximately $90 million. $1,000.00 per adult. The last spring freeze generally occurs in late April and early May and the first fall freeze occurs by mid-September. The Whitefish River and Stillwater River together drain the northwest part of the watershed, joining the upper Flathead River just below Kalispell. Huckleberry Haven near Glacier National Park has been making huckleberry products since 1987. The conversion of agricultural land to residential uses is a concern of residents throughout the watershed. Some pork producers even sell their products from mobile refrigerated trucks. The Flathead Watershed is also home to more than 300 species of aquatic insects, including 105 different stonefly species – one-fourth of all stonefly species in North America. There are a number of CSAs in the Flathead Watershed, including: “When tillage begins, other arts follow. Flathead County is in the Glacier Country Montana region. The new Somers Beach site would add public access to 106 acres (55 acres of land when the lake level is at full pool). See all tours & tickets. Otherwise the state has left the rest of the island as wilderness. The largest, natural, freshwater lake this side of the Mississippi. A Comprehensive Guide for Things to Do and See at Flathead Lake State Parks — All 6 of Them! Farmers Markets The Ultimate Flathead Lake Vacation Guide Conserving the Land and Preserving the Farming Way of Life, Tom Siderius, Community Gardens in the Flathead Watershed, Pat McGlynn, http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome, http://flathead.mt.gov/extension/msu/Flathead%204h.html, Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Flathead, Jocko, Mission & Bitterroot valleys, Farmers Markets in the The market value of products sold for the two counties combined was $85,156,000, with $44,160,000 from livestock and $40,996,000 from crops. The Flathead Lake Cherry Grower Cooperative manages 80 Flathead orchards, roughly 500 acres of cherries. The lake trout on Flathead Lake average around eight pounds, but many go well over 20. More info. Hopo Zoning: r0 48.012744,-114.071615 Active; Status Active. It is about half the area of San Francisco Bay (main bay). Home Would you send a friend who is … Many Lakes East is located in Northwest Montana, 32 miles south of the west entrance to Glacier National Park, 16 miles southeast of Kalispell, and 12 miles north of Bigfork and Flathead Lake. The increasing cost of land, fuel, machinery, and labor make agricultural production less viable than it was even a decade ago. They now make syrups, teas, coffee flavoring, candy, vinaigrettes, pie fillings, flapjack mixes and more from huckleberries, chokecherries, elderberries, Saskatoons, Buffalo berries, and rosehips. The reservation is home to 65% of the 7,443 enrolled Confederated Salish and Kootenai tribal members. “There are two spiritual dangers in not owning a farm. As non-Indian settlers moved in, they began raising cattle and growing crops for a living. Mission Mountain Food Enterprise Center The Flathead Indian Reservation is home to three tribes, the Bitterroot Salish, upper Pend d'Oreille and Kootenai. Doug Allard’s descendents have a Huckleberry Jam Factory at the Trading Post in St. Ignatius, where they sell jam, syrups, and other huckleberry products. Would you send a friend who is … Most of the farms in both counties were in the 10 to 49 acre (4 to 20 hectare) range. These farms are likely to be primary occupations of the landowners. Recent listings of undeveloped land for sale in Flathead County, Montana, totals around 6,000 acres and … Eva’s children and grandchildren carry on the family business today using the same additive- and preservative-free processes and recipes handed down to Eva by her grandmother. We specialize in homes, land, waterfront and commercial in Kalispell, Bigfork, Lakeside, Whitefish, Columbia Falls, Flathead Valley & NW Montana representing both Home Buyers and Home Sellers. There are panoramic views of Ashley Lake and the surrounding mountains. At the lake’s outlet, located at the southwest portion of the lake, the lower Flathead River flows 72 miles (116 km) to where it joins the Clark Fork River. Together with the Swan River, they drain the eastern portion of the watershed and serve as the two central tributaries to Flathead Lake, emptying into the northeast portion of the lake. Camping on Flathead Lake. The small purple berries are ripe from July to October, and while there is no permit required on Flathead National Forest land, there is a limit of 10 gallons (38 L) per adult. It is a similar size as Minnesota's Mille Lacs Lake, but smaller than Red Lake. Do a drive around Flathead Lake and you’ll quickly realize that the lake is home to many state parks — although not too quickly: it takes at least two hours to drive the whole way around the lake without stopping. There are a number of family farms in the Flathead Watershed whose owners work together to preserve the historical, cultural, and family values they have always known. On Thursday, the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks commission unanimously approved the purchase of almost 15 acres to become the Montebello Fishing Access Site on the west side of Flathead Lake a mile east of Dayton along U.S. Highway 93. There are many islands on The Lake, for instance, the largest island on The Lake is Wild Horse Island State Park, which is 2,165 acres. Glacier National Park from Missoula VIP Jeep Day Tour. There are many islands on The Lake, for instance, the largest island on The Lake is Wild Horse Island State Park, which is 2,165 acres. Located on almost 7 acres with over 350 feet of level lake frontage, spectacular views, various fruit trees & includes covered boat dock. The Ultimate Flathead Lake Vacation Guide The stretch of the Flathead River between Kalispell and Flathead Lake has one of the highest populations of osprey nests in Montana, and the watershed serves as an important bird migration corridor. Flathead Lake Homes For Sale Located just south of Kalispell, the largest natural freshwater lake west of the Mississippi is 28 miles long and up to 15 miles wide, 188 square miles. The upper Flathead River just below Kalispell floodplains that were cut and shaped fantastic! 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