Boat Rentals in Bigfork, MT

Rental fleets in Bigfork include Jet skis, Pontoon boats, Ski boats and Waverunners. What is available on the day depends on the company and the season, so it is worth checking a few listings.

The best time to boat from Bigfork on Flathead Lake is mid-June through August, with August generally offering the warmest water. Average surface temperature rises from the mid-50s in mid-June to the upper 60s by mid-August, and the lake is typically raised to full pool for summer recreation when snowpack and flood conditions allow.

July is the busiest month at Flathead Lake State Park, followed by August, with crowded summer weekends at Wayfarers near Bigfork. Check the National Weather Service’s Flathead Lake forecast before launching because wind and thunderstorms can produce gusts and changing wave conditions.

Source: University of Montana Flathead Lake Biological Station (flbs.umt.edu)

From Bigfork, you can boat from the Swan River through Bigfork Bay onto Flathead Lake, with Wayfarers and Yellow Bay adding lake access and destinations. The Bigfork Fishing Access ramp serves the Swan River and Flathead Lake. Bigfork Bay is the slow-water choice: the buoyed stretch from the bay to 100 yards west of the Highway 35 bridge is no-wake. Beyond it, Flathead Lake offers broad, open water. Wayfarers provides boating access beside a rocky shoreline, while Yellow Bay has a gravel beach and deep-water launch.

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (fwp.mt.gov)

From Bigfork, boaters can make Flathead Lake day trips to Wild Horse Island, Yellow Bay and Finley Point. Wild Horse Island is accessible only by boat and offers designated landing sites, hiking trails and wildlife viewing. Yellow Bay draws swimmers to its broad gravel beach and has a seasonal dock. Finley Point offers a dock, picnic facilities and swimming, making it a useful shore stop when lake levels allow dock use.

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (fwp.mt.gov)

Montana does not require a boating license or education card for most adult recreational operators. For motorboats and personal watercraft over 10 horsepower, children 12 or younger may operate only when accompanied by someone 18 or older. Operators ages 13 and 14 must have a Montana motorboat operator’s safety certificate or proof of an approved boating safety course, unless accompanied by someone 18 or older.

A person must be at least 18 to rent one of these vessels, so rental customers are not subject to the youth certificate rule or a temporary renter certificate requirement. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks administers boating education.

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (fwp.mt.gov)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks requires a wearable U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person; children under 12 must wear one while a boat under 26 feet is moving. Boating under the influence is illegal, and an alcohol concentration of 0.08 or more is considered under the influence. All motorboats and personal watercraft, plus sailboats 12 feet or longer, must be registered and numbered.

For vessels over 10 horsepower, operators 12 or younger need an accompanying adult age 18 or older; ages 13 and 14 need approved safety credentials or adult supervision. All watercraft must stop at every open invasive species inspection station encountered, and watercraft entering Montana must be inspected before launch.

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (fwp.mt.gov)

Montana sets no rental age in law; the rental company sets its own. What the state sets is who may operate. Children 12 or younger may not operate a motorboat or a personal watercraft powered by a motor rated at more than 10 horsepower unless accompanied by someone 18 or older. Youths of 13 and 14 may not operate those vessels without a valid Montana motorboat operator's safety certificate or evidence of completing an approved boating safety course. So 13 is the youngest an unsupervised operator can be, and only with that certificate. Confirm the rental company's own minimum when booking.

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (fwp.mt.gov)

Alongside the boat rentals on this page, Bigfork has 2 marinas.