Fishing access site on BLM land near Terry proposed to enhance lower Yellowstone River access
MILES CITY – Continuing efforts to secure more public access for recreation along the lower Yellowstone River, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is proposing to develop a fishing access site on Bureau of Land Management property along the river just downstream of Terry.
BLM has opened a 15-day public comment period on the proposal that will end on Nov. 9.
The proposed Terry Fishing Access Site (FAS) would be a 17-acre primitive day-use facility on the north shore of the river with an improved access road, an accessible concrete vault latrine, a parking area and a concrete boat ramp.
The BLM site already allows for public access via an existing two-track road that stretches nearly 2 miles from Cole Creek Road to the river, but a gravel road and parking area are proposed.
FWP staff presented the plan to Prairie County commissioners, who were generally supportive. The proposal prompted a letter of support with 50 signatures from Prairie County residents.
"We are pleased to be working with a very engaged community in Prairie County, and we have a very good partnership with the BLM," said Brian Burky, FWP regional parks and outdoor recreation manager.
Next steps for FWP include obtaining a 30-year right-of-way approval from BLM and issuing an environmental assessment including public comment. A cultural review is under way. The proposal would come before the Fish and Wildlife Commission for approval, after which FWP would hire a design consultant. The tentative timeline is for construction in late summer or fall of 2027.
"We're working on the governor's initiative to reduce access gaps to the lower Yellowstone River, and this is right in the heart of an access gap," Burky said. "You could float from this location to the Fallon Bridge Fishing Access Site in half a day or a little more."
Improving recreational access along the lower Yellowstone has been a priority for Gov. Greg Gianforte and for FWP. In 2021, a citizen task force representing agriculture, business, conservation and recreation interests was created to bolster this effort, and its work prompted the Montana Legislature to devote more than $4 million to the cause.
"We've looked at over 100 properties for lower Yellowstone River access, and we have two properties in various stages of development," Burky said.
The first is the Hilleman FAS just northeast of Miles City, which is developing through a partnership with Walleyes Unlimited and the City of Miles City, and the second is the Terry FAS.
Work on the Prairie County project would be funded through lower Yellowstone River access project money and federal Dingell-Johnson taxes on fishing equipment.
A venue for submitting comments, instructions for sending written comments, and additional project information is available at the BLM ePlanning National NEPA Register. Search using NEPA number DOI-BLM-MT-C020-2026-0151-EA.