Montana is home to diverse and spectacular angling opportunities, but few are as unique as the chance to fish for paddlefish and bull trout. These iconic species represent a special kind of Montana fishing experience—one that is highly regulated to protect their populations for future generations. Success isn’t just about hooking the fish; it’s about knowing and strictly following the rules.
For the 2026 season, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) has made significant changes to paddlefish seasons and regulations, making it crucial for every angler to review the rules before heading out. Whether you’re planning to snag a prehistoric paddlefish or pursue the elusive bull trout, here is what you need to know to stay legal and safe.
Fishing for Paddlefish: A Highly Regulated Pursuit
Paddlefish are ancient, filter-feeding fish that require a specific method of take: snagging. Because of this, FWP manages paddlefish angling through a strict tag system to control harvest and ensure sustainability.
Step 1: Get Your Licenses and Tag
Before you can even think about paddlefish, you must have the following:
- A valid Conservation License
- An AIS Prevention Pass
- A season Fishing License
- A Paddlefish Tag
Each angler is limited to one paddlefish tag per person, per season. You must choose one of four specific tag areas to fish in, and you cannot fish for paddlefish anywhere else. The four areas are designated by tag color: White, Blue, Yellow, and Green.
Step 2: Understand Your Tag Area and Season
The rules vary significantly depending on which tag you hold.
- White Tag (Upper Missouri River): This is a lottery-draw area with 1,000 harvest tags available. If you are unsuccessful in the draw, you are issued a Catch-and-Release License. The snagging season runs from May 1 to June 15.
- Blue Tag (Fort Peck Dredge Cuts): This is a unique, archery-only season for paddlefish, running from July 1 to August 31. Snagging is prohibited here.
- Yellow Tag (Yellowstone River sections): This fishery is managed with a harvest target of 1,000 fish (combined with the Green Tag area). The season has designated “Harvest Days” (Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays) and “Catch-and-Release Days” (Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays). FWP can close the season with a 24-hour notice if the harvest target is met.
- Green Tag (Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam): This fishery is also managed under the 1,000-fish harvest target. Catch-and-release is not permitted; the first paddlefish caught must be tagged.
Step 3: Follow Gear and Harvest Rules
All paddlefish areas share common regulations designed for conservation and safety.
- Hooks: Only one treble hook, size 8/0 or smaller, with barbs pinched is allowed per line.
- Sonar: The use of forward-facing sonar (like Garmin LiveScope™) to aid in snagging paddlefish is illegal.
- Tagging: Harvested paddlefish must be tagged immediately through the dorsal fin. An altered, lost, or accidentally locked tag is void and cannot be replaced.
- Harvest Reporting: All harvested paddlefish must be reported to FWP. Yellow and Green tag holders must report by 9 p.m. on the day of harvest, while White and Blue tag holders have 48 hours.
Fishing for Bull Trout: An Experimental Opportunity
Bull trout are a threatened native species protected under the Endangered Species Act. Intentional fishing for them is illegal in all Montana waters unless specifically authorized in the regulations.
For the 2026 season, FWP is continuing a regulated, experimental bull trout season in just three specific waterbodies in the Western District.
Step 1: Obtain Your Free Catch Card
To participate, you must have a valid Conservation License, AIS Prevention Pass, and Fishing License. In addition, you must possess a free Bull Trout Catch Card for the specific water you are fishing. Anglers can only select one of two areas for their catch card:
- Lake Koocanusa
- Hungry Horse Reservoir AND the South Fork Flathead River
Applications are available at the FWP Region 1 office in Kalispell or online, but the completed application must be mailed or presented in person to receive the card.
Step 2: Know Your Location and Season Dates
The rules for harvest are extremely limited and location-dependent:
- Lake Koocanusa: Catch-and-release only for bull trout, all year.
- Hungry Horse Reservoir: One bull trout may be harvested per license year, only from the third Saturday in May through August 15. The rest of the year is catch-and-release only.
- South Fork Flathead River (upstream from Hungry Horse Reservoir): Catch-and-release only, and only from July 1 through July 31. It is illegal to intentionally fish for bull trout here at any other time.
Step 3: Handle with Care
Given their threatened status, proper handling is essential.
- Live Possession: It is unlawful to possess a live bull trout for any reason. Fish must be either released immediately or killed and counted as your limit where harvest is allowed.
- Identification is Key: Bull trout can be mistaken for brook or lake trout. The key identifiers are white leading edges on their lower fins and a dorsal fin with no black spots or lines. When in doubt, let it go.
Fishing for these iconic Montana species is a privilege that comes with great responsibility. By carefully reading the regulations and respecting the rules, you help FWP manage and conserve these unique fisheries for the future.
