Planning a fishing trip in Big Sky Country requires an understanding of the state’s regulations to ensure a successful and compliant outing. The 2025 Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) fishing regulations introduce over 50 changes, making it crucial for both resident and non-resident anglers to stay informed. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of the most important information for the 2025 season, which runs from March 1, 2025, through the end of February 2026.
Getting Started: Licenses and Fees
Before you cast a fly fishing lines in Montana’s waters, it is essential to have the proper licenses. Most anglers will need a Conservation License, a Fishing License, and an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Pass.
License and Fee Structure for 2025
A valid fishing license is required for all types of fishing on state waters. Here are the costs for various licenses:
- Resident Adult (18-61): A season license costs $21.00, plus an $8.00 Conservation License and a $2.00 AIS Prevention Pass, for a total of $31.00.
- Non-Resident Adult (16 and older): A season license is $100.00, plus a $10.00 Conservation License and a $7.50 AIS Prevention Pass, totaling $117.50. A 5-consecutive day license is available for $56.00, and a 1-day license is $14.00.
- Youth Anglers: No license is required for children 11 and under. Resident youth aged 12-17 and non-resident youth aged 12-15 have reduced fees.
Licenses can be purchased online or at any FWP office and must be in your possession while fishing; a digital copy on your smartphone is acceptable.
Special Permits and Tags
- Paddlefish: All anglers must purchase a paddlefish tag. The cost is $6.50 for residents and $15 for non-residents. Harvest-only tags for the Upper Missouri River are available through a lottery draw.
- Bull Trout: A free Bull Trout Catch Card is required for the specific waters where angling for bull trout is permitted, such as Lake Koocanusa and Hungry Horse Reservoir. Read Montana Bull Trout Regulations. All other waters are closed to intentional fishing for bull trout.
The Rules for Fishing Paddlefish and Bull Trout in Montana
Free Fishing Weekends: On Mother’s Day weekend (May 10-11, 2025) and Father’s Day weekend (June 14-15, 2025), anyone can fish without a license, though regulations on seasons, restrictions, and bag limits still apply.
Statewide Rules and Important Reminders
Montana’s diverse fisheries are managed through a set of statewide regulations, with specific exceptions tailored to different regions and bodies of water.
General Season Information
Montana is divided into three fishing districts: Western, Central, and Eastern.
- Western District: Rivers and streams are generally open from the third Saturday in May through November 30. Lakes and reservoirs are open all year.
- Central and Eastern Districts: Rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs are typically open year-round, unless specified otherwise.
Key Definitions for Anglers
- Daily Limit: The number of fish that can be legally taken in a single calendar day.
- Possession Limit: The total number of fish an individual may possess at any time, whether fresh, frozen, or preserved.
- Artificial Lures Only: This regulation means no live or dead bait may be used.
Bait Regulations
Bait rules vary significantly across the state’s fishing districts.
- Western District: No live fish may be used as bait. Other live bait such as worms, leeches, and insects are permitted in waters not restricted to artificial lures.
- Central and Eastern Districts: The use of live fish for bait is permitted only in specific, designated bodies of water.
Ice Fishing
Ice fishing is a popular activity in Montana, with its own set of guidelines:
- Hole Size: In most waters, the maximum hole size is 144 square inches (12 inches in diameter).
- Shelters: Ice fishing shelters must be removed before the ice becomes unsafe. On some lakes, daily removal is required.
Montana’s Fishing Districts
To effectively manage the state’s fisheries, Montana is divided into Western, Central, and Eastern districts, each with its own set of standard regulations and exceptions.
Western District Regulations
The Western District covers all waters west of the Continental Divide.
Standard Daily and Possession Limits:
- Combined Trout (in streams): 3 daily and in possession, with only one over 14 inches.
- Combined Trout (in lakes): 5 daily and 10 in possession, with only one over 22 inches.
- Bull Trout: Catch-and-release only where permitted; closed in all other areas.
- Walleye: All walleye caught must be killed and reported to FWP within 24 hours.
Notable Waterbody Exceptions:
- Bitterroot River: The entire river has an extended season for northern pike and whitefish. Smallmouth bass caught between Florence Bridge and the river’s mouth must be killed and turned into FWP.
- Flathead Lake: The lake trout limit is 100 daily, with one fish over 36 inches allowed. All fish between 30 and 36 inches must be released.
- Blackfoot River: Catch-and-release is required for cutthroat and brook trout.
Central District Regulations
This district encompasses the waters east of the Continental Divide and west of a boundary that runs through the center of the state.
Standard Daily and Possession Limits:
- Combined Trout (in streams): 3 daily and in possession, with only one over 18 inches. Arctic grayling must be released immediately.
- Combined Trout (in lakes): 5 daily and 10 in possession.
- Walleye/Sauger: 5 daily (only 2 may be sauger), and a possession limit of 10 (only 4 may be sauger).
Notable Waterbody Exceptions:
- Missouri River (Toston Dam to Canyon Ferry Reservoir): Catch-and-release for brown trout. The walleye limit is 10 daily, with only one over 15 inches.
- Canyon Ferry Reservoir: The walleye limit is 10 daily (one over 15 inches). Catch-and-release for brown trout, except for anglers 14 or younger who may keep one.
- Beaverhead River: Rainbow trout are catch-and-release only. Brown trout limits vary by section.
Eastern District Regulations
The Eastern District includes all waters in the eastern third of Montana.
Standard Daily and Possession Limits:
- Combined Trout: 5 daily and 10 in possession in lakes; 5 daily in rivers.
- Paddlefish: 1 per season, tag required.
- Pallid Sturgeon: This is an endangered species. All must be released immediately.
Notable Waterbody Exceptions:
- Fort Peck Reservoir: Spearing for chinook salmon and lake trout is permitted through the ice from December 1 to March 31. Snagging for chinook is allowed from October 1 to November 30.
- Yellowstone River (Springdale Bridge to ND border): Smallmouth bass limit is 10 daily.
- Bighorn River: Sauger/walleye limit is 5 daily (only 2 sauger) and 10 in possession (only 4 sauger).
Protecting Montana’s Fisheries
Conservation is a cornerstone of Montana’s fishing regulations, with a focus on preventing the spread of invasive species and maintaining healthy fish populations.
Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention
Montana remains free of invasive mussels thanks to the efforts of boaters and anglers.
- Watercraft Inspections: All watercraft are required to stop at open inspection stations. Watercraft crossing the Continental Divide into the Columbia River Basin must be inspected before launching.
- Clean, Drain, Dry: Anglers and boaters are urged to clean all mud and plants from their equipment, drain all water, and allow everything to dry completely before entering another body of water.
- Vessel AIS Prevention Pass: Non-resident boats must purchase this pass ($30 for motorized, $10 for non-motorized).
Emergency Regulations and Closures
FWP may implement short-term fishing restrictions or closures due to conditions like drought, high water temperatures, or low stream flows. These “Hoot-owl” restrictions, typically prohibiting fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight, are put in place to protect fish from undue stress. Always check the FWP website for the latest updates before you go.
Report Poachers and Unlawful Introductions
The illegal introduction of fish into Montana’s waters poses a significant threat to native species and established fisheries. Report any suspicious activity to 1-800-TIP-MONT or online at tipmont.mt.gov. Rewards are available for information leading to a conviction.
