Hunting

If you're a hunter, Russell Country offers just about every challenge you can think of. In the fall, the mountains and prairies of North central Montana are prime habitat for elk, mule and whitetail deer, and antelope. Upland game birds and waterfowl are also plentiful throughout the region.

Russell Country teams with an abundance and diversity of wildlife thanks to generations of dedicated hunters who've helped to keep hunting traditions alive in Montana. For those who appreciate hunting game in their native habitats and appreciate Montana's grand scenery, Russell Country is a hunters paradise.

The archery hunting season runs from September through mid-October and the rifle hunting season runs from mid-October to the end of November in Montana and many hunting outfitters and guides are available to help you plan your Montana hunting adventure. For more information visit Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks

Fishing

Russell Country offers anglers great opportunities as well, including fly fishing and bait fishing. Trout of all varieties are the mainstay, but you can also land yourself a walleye, bass and pike just to name a few. We don't stop when the snow flies either - ice fishing is a favorite pastime in winter.

Fishing and conservation licenses are required for almost all anglers in Montana, both residents and non-residents. For your convenience, licenses are sold in angler shops, sporting goods stores, and many supermarkets, convenience stores and gas stations. These outlets also provide this year's Fishing Regulations, which list license requirements. Listed below are a few of the fishing spots in Russell Country:

• Ackley Lake State Park
  Ackley Lake State Park offers good fishing opportunities for 10 to 15 inch rainbow trout. Ackley Lake is located 17 miles west of Lewistown on U.S. 87.


• Giant Springs State Park
  Discovered by the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805, Giant Springs is one of the largest freshwater springs in the nation. Take time to visit the Visitor's Center, fish hatchery and Rainbow Falls overlook and picnic along the banks of the Missouri River. Giant Springs is located 3 miles east of U.S. 87 on River Drive in Great Falls.


• Sluice Boxes State Park
  A primitive trail provides access to several stream fishing spots and a nearby ghost town. Many places along the trail are best navigated during low water. Sluice Boxes is located 5 miles south of Belt on U.S. 89.


• Smith River
  A 61-mile float trip down the Smith River Canyon offers outstanding scenery, excellent trout fishing and a relaxed atmosphere. There are 27 boat camps along the river from the put-in-point at Camp Baker to Eden Bridge. In order to help preserve the wild nature of the Smith, a reservation and permit are required to float the river. For more information call 406-454-5840.


• First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park
  First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is one of the largest Native American buffalo jumps in the U.S. Rising above the Missouri River Valley, this prehistoric site has a mile-long cliff over which buffalo were herded. First Peoples Buffalo Jump State Park is located 10 miles south of Great Falls on I-15 at the Ulm Exit.