The Montana Fishing Season typically runs from about
March 1st through about November 1st
. These are the prime months for fly fishing in Montana, although we really fish year-round.
What is the best month to fish in Montana?
- April through May sees weather warm and often results in excellent hatches with the overcast weather.
- The most consistent and enjoyable weather occurs from June through mid September and is popular with avid anglers and family trips alike.
Can you fish in Montana in April?
April is one of our two favorite months to streamer fish in Montana
, with the other being October. Low angling pressure and a long hungry winter means the trout are generally more willing to chase down a large meal. Flashy and bright patterns fished well will produce.
Does Montana have a lifetime fishing license?
Whether you're seeking solitude, fish for the supper table or the trophy of a lifetime, you can find it here.
A valid fishing license is required for all types of fishing on state waters for anyone 12 or older
.
Can you use live bait in Montana?
Live animals such as meal worms, red worms, night crawlers, leeches, maggots, crayfish, reptiles, amphibians and insects may be used as bait on all waters not restricted to artificial lures only. Leeches may only be imported into Montana from FWP-approved leech dealers.
What are the fishing restrictions in Montana?
| Species Daily and Possession Limits | Sauger/Walleye 5 daily and 10 in possession. | Shovelnose Sturgeon 5 daily and in possession, none over 40 inches. | Tiger Muskie 1 daily and in possession, must be over 40 inches. | Whitefish 20 daily and 40 in possession. |
|---|
What fish do you catch in Montana?
Montana is home to many species of
trout and Rocky Mountain whitefish
. The primary species are brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and bull trout. Brown and rainbow trout in Montana are wild trout—meaning none of the trout in our rivers are stocked.
Is Montana good for fishing?
Fishing in Montana is a dream come true
. Wade into crystal clear lakes or pebble-filled trout streams. Cast your line in the Paradise Valley or on Flathead Lake, only two of many prized locations for anglers in Big Sky Country.
What is the best time to go to Montana?
The best times to visit Montana are in the summer months
between June and August, when the weather is sunny and warm, and between December and March when it's ski season
. As Montana is a destination that is all about outdoor fun, these are the times where you can play in nature with an optimal climate.
Can you fish in March in Montana?
Anglers fly fishing in Montana during the month of March should be prepared for any and all conditions
. Best case scenario spring comes early and the weather is cool, wind is mild, and all of our area rivers are accessible and fishing great.
Can you fly fish in Montana in March?
As winter begins to wind down the desire to hit our local rivers and streams hits with full force. Water temperatures are still cold and many of the larger rivers are still in their winter time patterns.
How big is the Yellowstone River?
| Yellowstone River | Length 692 mi (1,114 km) | Basin size 70,000 sq mi (180,000 km 2 ) | Discharge | • location Sidney, MT |
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What is the fine for fishing without a license in Montana?
However, the person must meet the qualifications for a license in the person's state of residence. (3) A person convicted of a violation of this section shall be fined
not less than $50 or more than $1,000
or be imprisoned in the county detention center for not more than 6 months, or both.
How many trout can you keep in Montana?
| Species Daily & Possession Limits | Trout Cutthroat trout Rivers/Streams: 3 daily and in possession, none over 10 inches Lakes/Reservoirs: 3 daily and in possession, no size limit. | Trout Lake Trout 10 daily and in possession |
|---|
How long is a Montana fishing license good for?
Types of Fishing Licenses
Depending on how long you plan to fish in Montana waters, there are different license types available to residents and non-residents alike. Full Season: This license is valid from
March 1 to the end of February the following year
. Short-term: There are two options for this type of license.
What is the biggest fish in Montana?
The largest fish caught in Montana (on record, at least) is a
75-inch long, 96-pound white sturgeon
caught in 1968. The shortest is a 3-inch spottail shiner caught in 2010, and the lightest is a 1.6-ounce mountain sucker caught in 2001. Two anglers made the record books twice — Brady Miller and Ray Quigley.
How many lines can you fish with in Montana?
To fish Montana's waters, you must have a valid fishing license. For more information on rules and regulations, visit Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks fishing regulations.
Two rods and/or lines
may be used to fish through ice on all lakes, reservoirs or ponds in the western and central districts of Montana.
Can you fish at night in Montana?
At night, however, a fish's vision takes a back seat to its hearing.
Fish most certainly hunt by sight at night as well, but due to little available light, a fish most often hears its prey before it sees it
. And so, a Montana angler at night should choose a fly first on how it will be ‘heard' by a fish.
Can you fish in Montana without a license?
Does everyone need a license to fish in Montana?
Fishing licenses are required for every angler over 11 years old
. It is very important for a person to purchase a license before fishing in Montana.
What rivers are closed to fishing in Montana?
The restrictions include full closures on the
Jefferson River and portions of the Shields, Big Hole, and Gallatin rivers
. Also included are “hoot owl” restrictions—which close rivers to fishing after 2pm—on the Stillwater River and the aforementioned iconic trout rivers.
Is jug fishing legal in Montana?
Montana –
Jug Fishing Legal
, must be checked every 24 hours.
Are there wild salmon in Montana?
One of two Pacific salmon species in Montana, the chinook salmon
, was introduced into Fort Peck Reservoir during the 1980s in an effort to produce a trophy fishery. Like all Pacific salmon species, the chinook dies after spawning.
Are there salmon in Montana?
There is a nice variety of salmon fishing in MT
. Several major lakes including Ashley Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Georgetown Lake, Hauser Lake, Holter Reservoir, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, McDonald Lake, Noxon Reservoir, Seeley Lake and Swan Lake all have populations of salmon.
Are trout native to Montana?
Cutthroat, rainbow, bull, and lake Trout are Montana's native trouts
, which means that these species were discovered living in Montana's waters, although many of these species were introduced into waters that were not their native range.
What city in Montana has the best fishing?
Bozeman
is one of Montana's best destinations for outdoor activities. The city has excellent cuisine, vibrant culture, and access to internationally renowned fly-fishing. Within a one-hour drive in the area, you will get to some of the finest trout fisheries in the western part of the country.
What part of Montana has the best fishing?
Missouri River
Perennially one of the best fishing spots in Montana, the Missouri has a long run through Montana. Trophy trout fishing exists from its junction with the Gallatin River west of Bozeman to Canyon Ferry Dam near Helena.
Where is the best Lake fishing in Montana?
Canyon Ferry Lake, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Georgetown Lake, Hebgen Lake, Holter Reservoir, Lake Elwell-Tiber Reservoir, Lake Koocanusa and Tongue River Reservoir
are some of the most popular places for fishing in Montana, offering anglers the chance to pursue a variety of fish species.
