First and foremost is Flathead Lake at a whopping 125,000 acres, but smaller lakes such as Echo, Swan and Bitterroot are equally good. Then there is also Lake Koocanusa and Hungry Horse Reservoir created by the construction of Libby and Hungry Horse Dams. The North and Middle forks are both federally recognized Wild and Scenic Rivers. The Middle Fork is popular with white water canoeists and rafters. The North Fork, while still technically challenging has a more mellow reputation for whitewater.
Lake trout are the most popular game fish in Flathead Lake.
For Kokanee, try Lake Mary Ronan and Ashley Lake. Native cutthroat trout can be found in the South Fork and both the Hungry Horse Reservoir and the river upstream. Alpine lakes in the Swan, Mission and Whitefish ranges are stocked with cutthroat trout as well. Bull trout to rare to fish for in the rest of Montana, are thriving in Swan Lake which has a limit of one fish per day per angler. 16 courses in all through the valley.