BILLINGS – If you’re planning to trailer a boat down to Grey Bear Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone come late March, hold up — there’s construction coming and you need to know what you’re walking into before you make the drive.

Starting March 30, access to the boat ramp and parking area at Grey Bear FAS will be restricted while FWP works through a construction project at the site. The work’s expected to wrap up by April 30, which is a tight window — but that’s right in the heart of spring fishing on the Yellowstone, so plan accordingly. Check for the latest updates on FWP’s regional Facebook pages or directly at myfwp.mt.gov/fwpPub/allRestrictions.

Honestly, the improvements sound worth the short-term headache. FWP is putting in a secondary overflow parking area — anyone who’s shown up at Grey Bear on a busy weekend knows that’s long overdue — along with a walking trail connecting that new lot to the boat ramp. They’re also cleaning up the existing parking area, adding fencing, and installing new signage and gates.

The campground stays open throughout all of this, but don’t expect a quiet job site. Heavy equipment and truck traffic will be moving through during construction, so factor that in if you’re planning to camp.

The boat ramp restriction is only for the first few weeks of the project. Once FWP finishes work on the ramp parking area, it reopens to the public. Take-outs won’t be allowed during that initial phase, though — so don’t plan a float that ends at Grey Bear until that work is done. Launching may still be possible depending on your watercraft type. If you want to know whether you can get your boat in the water during construction, call recreation manager Sean Flynn directly at 406-431-6112. He’s your best bet for a straight answer.