The acquisition of Pine Grove Pond Fishing Access Site is now complete with the recent approvals by the Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Commission and the State Land Board. Montana Fish, Wildlife, & Parks (FWP) now owns the site and will maintain it as a family fishing pond. The pond is closed until an official opening in late spring.
The project involved the donation by the Street Family of 13 acres northeast of Kalispell near the Whitefish River. The site includes a 5-acre pond, access and service roads, an entrance security gate, parking lot, vault latrine, and perimeter fencing.
Landowner Robin Street was instrumental in pursuing the project, working over four years to obtain the required permits and donations necessary to bring it to completion. He worked closely with FWP Fisheries Manager Jim Vashro, Regional Parks Manager Dave Landstrom, the FWP Region One fisheries staff, and a host of contributors and volunteers over the past year or more.
Ames Construction dug and shaped the pond to specifications as part of a gravel removal project; the Flathead Valley Community College Heavy Equipment Program worked on the road, restroom, and parking lot areas as part of class training. Flathead Electric Cooperative’s Roundup for Safety program provided fencing on the site, and scouts and other groups will provide landscaping. An accessible dock/fishing platform and picnic tables will be added before the late spring opening of the site. A cash contribution of $20,000 from the Montana Fish and Wildlife Conservation Trust was made through FWP to the landowner towards the donated value of the property and site developments.
The pond will be a valuable addition to the family fishing pond program in the region and will be heavily used by FWP’s Hooked on Fishing Program which includes about 70 classrooms across the region. “This is an incredible donation and pond, probably the best Family Fishing Pond in the state,” says Vashro. “The pond is a real asset to the community and the Flathead owes a debt of gratitude to Robin and his family.”
Contact: Jim Vashro, Fisheries Manager, 751-4550, and Regional Parks Manager David Landstrom, 751-4574.