After only a few years, the family fishing pond that Robin Street spearheaded on his pastureland on the outskirts of Kalispell has already exceeded expectations.
Pine Grove Pond, a 5-acre reservoir off Rose Crossing east of Whitefish Stage Road, has developed into one of the most popular public fishing sites in town. Open six months a year in a peaceful idyllic setting that seems far removed from the nearby urban cityscape, it boasts more than 25,000 visits annually, mostly among youth anglers and their families, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, the site’s manager.
“I never thought it would develop into something like this,” Street said last week, gazing out at the pond, which reopened for its fourth season in April. “Our parking lot is already too small.”
In response to the site’s growing popularity, several community businesses and organizations are following Street’s example of stewardship and volunteering resources to improve the access area.
Last winter Whitefish Credit Union donated 5.3 acres of land adjacent to Pine Grove, including 1,800 feet along the nearby Whitefish River, to add to the public site, ensuring the undeveloped section of land to the east will remain forested.
Last week four large dump trucks began shuttling loads of asphalt millings — 62 loads overall — to Pine Grove as part of an ongoing upgrade of the pathway circling the pond, the road and parking lot. The path, the road leading down to the pond and the parking lot will be paved in the coming months.
The overall project is estimated to cost $40,000, but all of it is being covered through a variety of donations.
Jeff Claridge of LHC, Inc., donated the trucks for two days of work. The city of Kalispell donated 1,000 yards of millings that were sitting unused. The heavy equipment class at Flathead Valley Community College conducted the loading of millings last week and will finish up the construction in August. Flathead Electric Co-op provided a grant through its Roundup for Safety Program that funded the students’ work, and also covered other expenses. Walleyes Unlimited, a local nonprofit anglers’ organization, applied for the grant on behalf of Pine Grove Pond.
“It’s great to see all of these organizations step forward and make this possible,” Mark Deleray, regional fisheries manager for FWP, said. “It’s truly a community effort.”
Street, 80, and his family donated 13 acres of their homesteaded land to the state, hoping to create a recreational fishing pond for children and families. The Kalispell Chamber of Commerce in 2012 awarded Street the Great Chief Award, the community’s oldest and most prestigious honor, for his civic contributions to the community.
Today Pine Grove Pond is a beloved gathering ground for family picnics and afternoon fishing.
FWP regularly stocks Pine Grove Pond with rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, and the agency hosts “Hooked on Fishing” classes at the site for young anglers.
Anglers 14 years of age and younger may keep one trout daily from Pine Grove. For anglers 15 and older, it is catch-and-release for trout.
“It’s neat to see the families with their kids down here,” Street said, adding, “Some times some things just seem to be meant to fall together, and that’s what happened here.”
Pine Grove Pond is located 3 miles northeast of Kalispell off Rose Crossing east of Whitefish Stage Road and just west of the Whitefish River. The site is open April through October.