MILES CITY - Thanks to a partnership between Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, the City of Miles City and the local chapter of Walleyes Unlimited, anglers and recreationists will be able to enjoy a new fishing access site along the lower Yellowstone River in 2027.
In late March, the city signed a deed of recreation easement for FWP to establish Hilleman Fishing Access Site on 1.2 acres of land on the city's west end.
The fishing access site, which is just northeast of the WaterWorks Art Museum, will include a concrete boat ramp that will be accessible year-round, a gravel entrance road with a turnaround by the river, a gravel parking area, wooden pole fencing with a pedestrian pass-through and signage. A handicap-accessible latrine already has been placed in the city park area adjacent to the museum and will be open sometime in April.
Improving recreational access along the lower Yellowstone has been a priority for Gov. Greg Gianforte and for FWP. In 2021 a citizen task force representing agriculture, business, conservation and recreation interests was created to bolster this effort, and its work prompted the Montana Legislature to devote more than $4 million to the cause.
"FWP has prioritized expanding public access along the lower Yellowstone River," said FWP Director Christy Clark. "We're grateful to partner with city officials and conservation groups in southeast Montana to expand that access, and we plan to keep working hard to create even more recreation opportunities."
FWP had identified several public access gaps along the lower Yellowstone, one of them a 50-plus-mile stretch that includes Miles City. Rouche Jaune FAS is located within city limits and is popular for canoe and kayak launching, but large gravel deposits prevent launching larger boats. And a boat launch just upstream on federal ag research land is no longer open to the public. So, Hilleman FAS will go a long way toward bridging the gap.
"Well-built, properly maintained recreation areas add significantly to the quality of life of the local population," said FWP's regional parks and outdoor recreation manager Brian Burky. "I'm a big believer in that. And beyond that, it helps invite visitors into the community, and when visitors come to recreate it benefits the local economy."
"I think a lot of people are really excited about it," said Walleyes Unlimited chapter president Ramon Dyba.
The Miles City chapter of Walleyes Unlimited has played a huge role in this project, initiating discussions with FWP about three years ago and ultimately providing much of the funding.
The total cost is estimated at $312,000, excluding the city's land donation valued at $30,000 and the $60,000 restroom secured by Walleyes Unlimited through grants. Walleyes Unlimited also will provide much of the local match required to use federal Dingell-Johnson funds from excise taxes on fishing equipment.
"Walleyes Unlimited has been raising funds for over three years," Burky said. "That's tremendous, and that's a real statement from the community on their interest in this project."
Dyba said funding or support also has come from six Walleyes chapters in Montana, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, the Public Land Water Access Association and local fire and search and rescue officials.
"FWP's support in helping take the reins and moving forward with it – it was doable by ourselves – but it would be pretty hard without their expertise in the project," Dyba said.
Increasing public access in an area that is 75 percent private land is extremely challenging, but FWP will continue its efforts.
"We've been working hard on increasing access to the river for the last five years," Burky said. "After a lot of effort on two potential river sites – proposing to buy small acreage from ranches – both fell through. But we did replace those with two more opportunities, and we're optimistic."
Hilleman FAS is named after the late Maurice Hilleman, a world-famous doctor and vaccinologist from Miles City. Dr. Hilleman was born in 1919 and attended Montana State University. He developed life-saving vaccines, worked in cancer prevention and is credited with saving more lives than any other medical scientist of the 20th century. In 1996, he received the Special Lifetime Achievement Award from the World Health Organization.
"Thank you to the city and Walleyes Unlimited, and to the community that comes out in support of these efforts," Burky said. "I don't know that we'd be here without that."