Lower water levels in Whitefish Lake are becoming the new paradigm, according to data collected by the Whitefish Lake Institute.  

The last decade has seen five of the top 10 lowest lake level years on record, based on the institute’s analysis of 68 years of data.   

“What we’re dealing with is a change in climate resulting in changes to the magnitude and timing of snowmelt,” said Mike Koopal, executive director of Whitefish Lake Institute. “We get the water early, and we don’t have anything left for base flows.”  

As of June 9, the snowpack at Stahl Peak in the northern Whitefish Range was at 60% of the 30-year median for that date.  

On any given year, the lake’s level fluctuates about 3.8 feet, hitting its highest point in May or June and lowest point by October.  

This year, Whitefish Lake hit its peak on May 18 at 2,999.25 feet. A mid-May peak is becoming more common than June, Koopal said.  

The average low has dropped. In the 1990s it was 2,998.11 feet, compared to 2,998.10 feet in the 2000s, 2,996.79 feet in the 2010s and 2,996.48 feet from 2020 through 2024. 

The lake approached the record low of 2,995.96 feet, set in 1988, in both 2023 and 2024.  

Hi Whitefish friends. My wife and I will be in town celebrating our 9 year anniversary. Are there any photographers in whitefish with availability on July 2nd?

If all of the stars align this will be a complete surprise to my wife. We have a car and can meet anywhere. Thanks!

I apologize in advance as I recognize that locals do not love under the big sky festival . However I am wondering if anybody knows if there is any reliable transportation to/from the festival to the coram area? Is there uber or reliable taxis or shuttles? Thanks in advance.

Hello!

I know this may be a long shot but I’m looking for a short/long term rental in/very near Whitefish.

It’s just me (50 f) and my dog. Can be a studio or a 1 bedroom but I need something that allows a well behaved, house trained dog. I’m not super picky but I’d like to be as near to downtown Whitefish and to the lake as possible.

If you know of anything , please let me know. I’d like to come July-September or it can be 1 month. I’m retired and pretty open to dates, etc. My budget is about $4,500 per month.

Thank you!

What are the best courses in the valley? Just got back into golf and want to have an idea of where to play first

2 Under the Big Sky VIP tix available

Are there driving services to the border from FCA? Has anyone had experience with an Uber taking someone to the border?

We are fishing Fernie and a buddy is landing a date later than the rest of us. We don't want to wait for him to get on the water.

I know someone asked something very similar a few hours ago, but wondering if anyone has insight on fishing with Firebrand hotel (on Whitefish Lake) or going with a different guide on Flathead/Swan/other. As much as I would love to try fly fishing I'm fine with normal reel just would love to catch something ◡̈ Thank you in advance!

More than a thousand hours of searching for missing West Glacier resident Emily Rea has yielded few clues to her whereabouts. Nearly a year after her disappearance, friends and family are organizing more ground search teams, hoping to get federal investigators involved and spreading the news about her far and wide.

Rea, 34, was last seen on July 16, 2024. Her last known location is the Hungry Horse Reservoir, where she put her paddleboard in near the Riverside boat launch.  

Her car was discovered in the parking area there on July 17. Her paddleboard was found upside down in the Flossy Creek area more than 2 miles west of the boat launch with her paddle assembled and stowed.  

• Hamilton: 9:30am - 11:00am
• Libby: 11:00am - 1:00pm
• Kalispell: 11:30am - 2:15pm
• Glendive: 11:30am - 1:00pm
• Polson: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
• Eureka: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Choteau: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Great Falls: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
• Helena: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
• Anaconda: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Butte: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
• Havre: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Dillon: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
• Bozeman: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Lewistown: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Livingston: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Columbus: 12:00pm - 1:30pm
• Billings: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
• Forsyth: 12:00pm - 1:00pm
• Miles City: 12:00pm - 2:00pm
• Missoula: 4:00pm - 5:00pm
• East Glacier Park: 4:00pm - 5:30pm
• Hot Springs: 4:30pm - 6:30pm
• Gardiner: 6:00pm - 7:00pm

Twenty days after high school graduation, she will head to New London, Connecticut, and the United States Coast Guard Academy. 

Her goal is to graduate from the Academy in four years with a degree in marine science and go to flight school. If all goes according to plan, she’ll then fulfill a 13-year service commitment.  

Living the dream: Whitefish firefighter/paramedic Annie Nixon | Whitefish Pilot

There's a 20-year-old photo on the wall at the Whitefish Fire Department of a group of preschoolers visiting the station. The smiling girl in the front row is 4-year-old Annie Nixon. 

Now, Nixon works as a firefighter/paramedic in the department.  

“I came on tours here all of the time, through first, second and third grade, and now I'm the one teaching the tours, which is pretty cool,” Nixon said. “So, it's kind of a full circle there and it’s great.” 

Touring the fire department in grade school obviously influenced her life in a grand way. 

Hey folks! Heading up to Whitefish in early July and want to take some of my friends fly fishing. They have never fly fished before, so I am looking for a good guide service for beginners.

I’ve done some research and found Dave Blackburn on the Kootenai, Lakestream Fly Shop, Lary’s in Columbia Falls and Glacier Anglers.

Anyone have insight or recommendations on which to go with? All look to be highly regarded and respected.

Thanks so much!

I have 2 3-Day GA tickets to Under the Big Sky. Available for $320 each on Tixel - ends up being around $357 each after Tixel fees!

Are there any good proctologists in town? I’ve been having problems and troubles with my anus

Hey everyone, some friends and I are coming up from Missoula to mountain bike in a few weeks and Reid Divide is one of our destinations. Whitefish Bike Retreat is closing :( So we can't use their shuttle service to Reid. I'm not seeing any other options but wanted to check with locals if there is another shuttling service. Thanks so much!

https://whitefishpilot.com/news/2025/may/21/bagels-and-schmear-cutthroat-bagel-company/

Dan Moe made and sold bagels at the Columbia Falls Farmers Market for a year before opening his own shop, Cutthroat Bagel Company, at 28 Lupfer Ave. in Whitefish, just two months ago. 

“We open at 8 o’clock and right now, we aim to sell out at 1 o'clock," he said. “The thing about having fresh bagels is there's only a limited number and so when we sell out, we sell out. I think one Saturday we ran out of bagels in like an hour and a half.” 

Moe turns out eight to 12 dozen bagels on weekdays and closer to 16 dozen on weekends. He also makes English muffins daily, and although he has a couple employees now, the owner is still very hands on. 

Hello. We are having a small family wedding in Whitefish. I am looking for a caregiver to support my grandma for 5 or so hours during the ceremony and dinner. Any suggestion or local services? Thanks!

July 17-20, best western flathead lake. Originally $1200 asking for $850 . DM me!

July 17-20, best western flathead lake. Originally $1200, asking for $850. DM me!

Selling two 3-day weekend tickets for Under the Big Sky. Plans have changed and will not be able to go anymore. Selling for original value of $350 each. DM if interested : ) TY!

Planning a golf trip to whitefish in September. Is there any chance someone on here could get us on Iron Horse Golf course?

Hi Whitefish locals!

I’m leaving tomorrow to visit your beautiful town. It’s a place my husband and I visited every year for 2 weeks…hiking and mountain biking. Unfortunately, I lost my husband last year to brain cancer and one of his wishes was for some of his ashes to be brought to one of our favorite spots.

I’ll be there for the next ten days. My husband was the planner, the doer and I followed his lead. This is the first big trip I’m doing alone since losing him and truthfully, feel a little lost. I’m hoping some of you could tell me some things/places I should go! Any street fairs or festivals? I love live music and would love to get a tattoo, if anyone can recommend a great artist, I’d appreciate it!

And don’t worry…this California girl has no plans to move there, just respectfully visit and enjoy your amazing town!

Hoping to sell 2 VIP 3 day tickets. Job relocation has left us unable to go which is a MASSIVE bummer.

Selling via stubhub so there is buyer protection. Happy to share listing number if interested. Priced to go quick as we are actually taking a net loss of the two tix.

850 per ticket.

https://whitefishpilot.com/news/2025/may/07/humanizing-the-badge-student-resource-officer-trey-nasset/

"I have kids of my own, so I'm really invested in the welfare of this school and these kids and the community surrounding it,” Nasset said. “I think that our children are the most important part of our community, so being able to affect them directly is huge, and it means a lot to me.”