Bokma Reservoir Private Pond Stocking and Fishing Access Agreement

Monday, May 12, 2025

Bokma Reservoir Private Pond Stocking and Fishing Access Agreement

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) is looking to enter into a Private Pond Fishing Access Agreement (PPFA) with a private landowner. Under this agreement FWP would stock rainbow trout in Bokma Reservoir, located approximately 10 miles north of Columbus, Montana. Under the PPFA, the landowner would allow public access for fishing on Bokma Reservoir. This project would create a vehicle-accessible public pond fishery in an area where few flatwater fishing opportunities are available.

Bokma Reservoir is on an unnamed tributary to Keyser Creek (Stillwater County) impounded by an earthen dam. When full, the reservoir is approximately 9 surface acres and has maximum depth of 12 feet. Outflows from the pond are screened and drain to Keyser Creek. The pond was stocked with rainbow trout in the past, however no record of the stocking event(s) exists. Currently, no game fish are present. Lake chubs are the only species that have been documented in the immediate area, but other fish species may be present in the unnamed tributary and in Bokma Reservoir. Both the main outlet structure and an overflow structure will be screened to minimize escapement of stocked fish downstream. Rainbow trout have not been documented in Keyser Creek due to unfavorable environmental conditions but are present at the confluence of the creek with the Yellowstone River.

A road exists to provide public access to the pond from U.S. Highway 306. This road is unimproved and comprised mainly of clay. Additional vehicle traffic from public accessing the pond could further degrade the condition of the road and wet conditions may be unsafe for vehicle travel. FWP is the sponsor for the project which is expected to start with stocking of rainbow trout in May 2025. The PPFA and fish stocking are expected to last for five years with opportunity to extend the duration.