Ask Ella Jurenka
Located where Battle Creek meets the Milk River, these 108.85 acres bring a multitude of opportunities. Accessible from North Fork Road and near Highway 2, the property features a quarter mile of Milk River frontage and fertile nutrient-rich soils. Sixty acres are irrigated by pivot and some by flood irrigation. There is an old set of corrals, a shed, and a livable home. The acreage is currently being leased on shares so it would make a lucrative investment property for a business-minded individual looking for recreational use such as fishing and hunting. The spot would also be ideal for building a home of your design. Bring your horses or livestock as there is adequate water. Enjoy the hunting as white-tailed, mule deer, and antelope are attracted to the cover of the coulees and the water. Priced to sell and waiting for your ideas, check out this Hi-Line property!
Local Area
Located along the Hi-Line sits Chinook, Montana, a small, nostalgic community and home of the Sugarbeeters mascot. Chinook is the county seat of Blaine County and is located on Lodge Creek where it empties into the Milk River. Its name means "warm wind" as farmers and ranchers historically depended on these warm chinook winds as a means of survival. In the 1920s, the town held a massive sugarbeet factory which inspired the mascot. The Sugarbeeter mascot ranked #2 out of 100 for the strangest mascots according to Mr. Jay Leno! You'll find that the town is welcoming and warm with its tree-lined streets and well-kept downtown. It is also the eastern starting point for the Bears Paws Mountains Backcountry Drive. On this drive, you will journey past the Bearpaws Battlefield where the last major Native American battle in the United States took place. The Blaine County Museum holds many artifacts and history about the battle and the homestead era. Chinook is just 20 miles from Havre, a larger city on the Hi-Line.
Area Attractions
The Milk River
Forty-one different species of fish swim the milky waters of the Milk River. One of prominence is the Channel Catfish. On May 8, 1805, the first "tourists" to this region, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, camped at the confluence of the Milk and Missouri rivers, about 18 miles southeast of present-day Glasgow. After exploring the river, Lewis called it "Milk River" because of its color resembling that of a "cup of tea admixture of a tablespoon full of milk."
Charles M Russell National Wildlife Refuge
The CMR National Wildlife Refuge displays badlands, cottonwood river bottoms, forested coulees, and sprawling prairies. The Refuge provides over one million acres of public land for fishing, hiking, hunting, camping, bird-watching, and other outdoor activities. The area spans about 125 miles along the Missouri River, from the Fort Peck Dam west to the boundary with the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument. If you're looking to observe game in its natural habitat, this refuge shall reward you. It is the second-largest refuge in the continental US. In September and October locals and tourists from all over gather to watch the bull elk bugle and battle for the cow's attention at Slippery Ann Wildlife Viewing Area. Miles of parked cars can be seen while people sit on lawn chairs and watch the display for hours of the wild elk. Herds of deer, red fox, and coyotes can also be observed. Bird watchers can delight in spying mountain bluebirds and black-capped chickadees. Osprey, spotted sandpipers, and white pelicans can be found along the coast of the reservoir.
Bears Paws Mountains
There is also a wide array of recreational activities ranging from skiing at the Bear Paws Ski area, hunting the Bear Paw Mountains for elk and deer, or fishing for trout in Beaver Creek or the Bear Paw Reservoir. Hike, camp, float or enjoy the scenic drive.
Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge
A grass prairie region of the wide-open plains of north-central Montana. The Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge spans 15,551 acres. It was established in 1936 as a migratory bird refuge. The birds flock to the cover and nesting areas provided by the saline and freshwater wetlands, native prairie, and densely planted shrubs. The Milk River supplies the refuge with most of its water through a system of canals. As you travel the 15-mile self-guided tour, expect to see waterfowl, shorebirds, birds of prey, grassland songbirds, beavers, muskrat, coyote, white-tailed deer, and pronghorn antelope. In the fall hunting season, the refuge allows the harvest of waterfowl and upland game birds with a permit. This sprawling landscape of diverse habitats is located seven miles east of Malta.
Hi-line Hunting and Fishing
Blaine County claims a portion of the Golden Triangle, an area known for its robust grain production. The rolling fields provide cover and habitat for upland game birds, pheasant, Hungarian Partridge, and waterfowl. Montanans flock to the Hi-Line in the fall for its quality bird hunting opportunities. In addition to the bird hunting, big game hunting in this area attracts locals and tourists from afar looking to take down a trophy white-tailed or mule deer or elk. The property is situated in Hunting District 690, although the Bears Paw Mountains are not far from a great diversity in terrain and wildlife. The Bears Paw offers world-class elk hunting but you will have to put in for a tag as it is only a special draw for this area. The Bears Paw were formed by volcanic activity 50 million years ago.
Fishing on the Hi-Line attracts anglers looking to enjoy a wide variety of bodies of water and species. The Milk River flows through the open prairies and is a wonderful place to achieve serene solitude. It is by and large a warm water fishing river where Smallmouth Bass are abundant. Catfish, Sturgeon, Whitefish, and Pike are also common in these waters. The Milk River makes for a perfect floating river for kayaks and canoes. Check out these other local areas that are well known for reeling in various fish species: Reser Reservoir, Bailey Reservoir, Ross Reservoir, Fresno Reservoir, and Beaver Creek Park. Reser Reservoir is best known for catching Big Bass. Large trout can be found roaming the waters as well. Looking for a place where kiddos can count on being entertained by a frequent tug on their lines? Bailey Reservoir is a great spot because something is always biting here. For a Cutthroat Trout haven, check out Ross Reservoir; it is a fly fisherman's paradise. If it's Walleye that you want, stop at Fresno Reservoir. It is one of Montana's number one warm-water fisheries. The Milk River feeds into this reservoir. Lastly, Beaver Creek Park is known as the mountains in the prairie. The lake is a no-wake lake and provides excellent fishing.
Sleeping Buffalo Hot Springs
Soak in the only hot springs in the northern tier of Montana. Coming from a 3,200-foot deep well, 900 gallons of 108-degree water pumps through per minute to continuously heat a natural and chemical-free pool. The spring water contains beneficial minerals such as silica, sulfate, calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, and iron all advantageous for healing and health.
Nelson Reservoir
Designated as one of the ultimate Walleye fishing areas in the state of Montana, Nelson Reservoir covers 4,000 acres of water. Located in northeast Montana 17 miles east of Malta, the reservoir attracts anglers promising to produce record-class fish! Nelson Reservoir is stocked with Walleye, Yellow Perch, and Northern Pike. The reservoir produced a state record for Walleye with a whopping 14-pound one! Ice fishing is also popular when the cold months set in. Spearing, angling, and tip-ups are the most popular methods when ice fishing. The 288-acre area allows for fishing, camping, boating, or swimming.
Fort Peck Lake
Fort Peck Lake is Montana's largest body of water at 134 miles in length and a maximum depth of 220 feet. The shoreline spans more than 1,520 miles. That's longer than the California coast! More than 50 different kinds of fish call this body of water home. In 1933, a 3.8-mile dam was constructed across the Missouri River creating the reservoir. Anglers flock here for the Walleye, Northern Pike, Paddlefish, Sauger, Lake Trout, Small Mouth Bass, and Chinook Salmon. There are several access points and boat ramps.
