Ownership Of Certain Islands And Riverbeds

Mont. Code Ann. § 77-1-102, under General Provisions.

Mont. Code Ann. § 77-1-102

(1) The following lands belong to the state of Montana to be held in trust for the benefit of the public schools of the state: (a) all islands existing in the navigable streams or lakes in this state that have not been surveyed by the government of the United States; and (b) all lands that at any time in the past constituted an island or part of an island in a navigable stream or lake. (2) This section does not apply to lands that are occupied by and belong to riparian landowners if the lands were formed by accretions. (3) State-owned riverbeds are public lands of the state that are held in trust for the people as provided in Article X, section 11, of the Montana constitution.