The enormous Fort Peck Lake is hard to miss when traveling on Montana Highway 24 near Fort Peck. Corralled behind the Fort Peck Dam, it has become a very popular fishing and recreation destination. But did you know that during the construction of the world’s largest hydraulically filled dam, other small swimming and fishing areas and ponds were created as well? They are called the Dredge Cuts and are located about 3 miles north of Fort Peck, in the shadow of the massive dam.

It goes without saying that the construction of the Fort Peck Dam changed so much of the landscape in northeast Montana. Some of those changes, like the construction of wild west boomtowns, filled with shanty shacks, watering holes, and workers are long gone, either covered with water or abandoned and, over the years, disassembled. One remnant of construction remains, however, and is known as the Dredge Cuts.

This recreational area consists of small lakes built when the Army Corps of Engineers dredged material that was used as hydraulic fill to build the dam. These deep depressions now act as lakes, where the water warms up in the summer and numerous fish species thrive. Here you will find boat ramps, two fishing piers, and vaulted toilets, and primitive camping. One of the Dredge Cuts is referred to as the Winter Harbor, and is a great place to fish for bluegill, perch, and bass, all snappy fish that are a blast to catch! Read more about this intentional boat harbor at the site along the Winter Harbor Road. Dive deeper into the story of the Fort Peck Dam and surrounding area on other stops along the Talking Trail!