After years of work and anticipation by anglers and boaters, Paul’s Fishing Access is now open at Lake Five.
In 2003 the late Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor proposed building a fishing access site to honor her deceased son Paul with whom she had fished and canoed many northwest Montana lakes. At the same time Mrs. Edna Ridenour approached FWP about an access site at Lake Five to honor the wishes of her late husband Harold. It turned out Elizabeth, Harold and Edna had all known each other as youngsters growing up in that area and the two ladies joined forces. Elizabeth purchased a site on Lake Five at a discounted price from Edna and donated the land and an operating fund to the FWP Foundation. Mrs. Taylor wished to provide a fishing access site for public use to be known as “Paul’s Fishing Access Site.” Mrs. Taylor’s dream is now a reality.
The access includes a concrete boat ramp, boat dock and canoe ramp, vehicle parking spaces, and a beautiful view of the mountains of Glacier National Park. Lake Five is a popular recreational lake with fishing for kokanee and rainbow trout, and the new site will provide needed public access year-around.
FWP Fishing Access Site Coordinator Todd Garrett reminds visitors to the site that there are special water- use and site rules, including:
• Site is day use only, no overnight camping.
• No fires or fireworks.
• Discharge of firearms and weapons prohibited
• Personal watercraft are prohibited on Lake Five.
• All vessels towing a person water skiing, or any similar activity, must travel in a counter-clockwise direction
Garrett stresses that, after a long wait, it is time to enjoy the site. “This is just a wonderful accomplishment for all folks who have helped complete this project,” says Garrett. “Paul’s Fishing Access Site provides public access to a great lake in Northwest Montana.”