Fort Peck Lake

Fort Peck Lake is a large reservoir on the Missouri River in northeastern Montana formed by Fort Peck Dam. It is a major engineered lake created in the 20th century and is one of the larger surface-area reservoirs in the United States.

The reservoir supports boating, angling, and lakeside recreation with multiple marinas, campgrounds and boat launches. Anglers target warm-water species and a range of gamefish, while the shoreline and backwaters provide habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.

The dam was constructed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as a large-scale public works project during the 1930s and early 1940s; the reservoir was filled as the structure was completed. Over time the lake has become an important regional recreation resource and transportation feature.

Fort Peck Lake lies in northeastern Montana near the town of Fort Peck and is set amid rolling plains and river valleys of the upper Missouri River basin.

• Origins: Constructed as a major New Deal-era project on the Missouri River, the dam and reservoir are prominent features of northeastern Montana's landscape.
• Recreation: The lake supports extensive boating and angling opportunities and is a regional destination for recreational fishing and water sports.

What to See #

• Fort Peck Dam: The earthen Fort Peck Dam, which impounds the Missouri River to form the reservoir and was built as a large New Deal-era public works project.
• Marinas and recreation areas: Multiple state and federal recreation areas, boat launches, and marinas that support fishing and boating activities around the reservoir.
• Wildlife and fishing areas: Adjacent wildlife and fish habitats that attract waterfowl and gamefish, forming part of regional outdoor-recreation infrastructure.