FISH :: Fishing Regulations | Montana FWP (original) (raw)
Highlights/Reminders
- Red Rock Creek (Beaverhead River drainage): Closed to angling year-round from Elk Lake Road to Upper Red Rock Lake; upstream of Elk Lake Road open year-round to artificial lures only, except closed May 1 – June 14.
- Paddlefish: Transition to new electronic and paper tags—plastic tags are no longer issued; tags must be validated immediately upon harvest, and Mandatory Harvest Reporting must still be reported in accordance with tag area (white, blue, green, or yellow) requirements; anglers can visit the paddlefish dashboard for harvest counts and other information for each tag area at (fwp.mt.gov/fish/regulations/paddlefish).
Regulations Achive - see past years' regulations
| General Fishing Seasons | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rivers & Streams | Lakes & Reservoirs | |
| Western District | Open third Saturday in May through November 30, unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations. | Open all year |
| Central District | Open all year, unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations. | Open all year |
| Eastern District | Open all year | Open all year |
Getting Started
Before fishing, you need to determine the following:
- Identify which Fishing District you will be fishing (Western, Central, or Eastern).
- Read the Standard Regulations that apply to all waters in that District.
- Look up the specific water you will be fishing to see if it is listed as an Exception to the Standard Regulations.
- If that is identified in the Exceptions, these regulations take the place of the Standard Regulations (e.g., season, daily limits, etc.).
- If not listed in the Exceptions, the District Standard Regulations apply.