Gov. Greg Gianforte joined Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Director Christy Clark to cut the ribbon on the Siskin Island Fishing Access Site near Livingston, expanding public access on the upper Yellowstone River in the heart of Paradise Valley.
Montana FWP accepted the donation of the 82-acre island complex earlier this month for the creation of the new fishing access site. The island sits between the Mallards Rest and Pine Creek fishing access sites, roughly 13 miles south of Livingston, and is accessible only by watercraft. The site was donated to FWP by Trust for Public Land after the organization facilitated a gift from the previous private landowners who wanted to ensure the island remained a natural resource in public stewardship.
“It’s great to help cut the ribbon on Siskin Island to expand public access along the Yellowstone for Montanans to fish, float, and enjoy the outdoors,” Gianforte said. “The Yellowstone River is the longest free flowing river in the lower 48 and we are glad to play a part in keeping this river healthy and accessible for future generations.”
Clark said FWP was grateful to Trust for Public Land and the previous landowners for their willingness to bring the island complex into public stewardship, calling it an effort to strengthen both wildlife habitat and public access on the upper Yellowstone.
FWP plans to manage Siskin Island for habitat conservation, day-use public access, float-in camping at a single reservable designated campsite, and hunting under a weapons restriction. Primary access to the island is by floating the Yellowstone River.
Since taking office, Gianforte has overseen the opening of more than 245,000 acres of public land access, including new Wildlife Management Areas in the Big Snowy Mountains, Bad Rock Canyon and North Wildcat Coulee on the lower Yellowstone River, expanded access at Mount Haggin, and a new state park at Somers Beach.