Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has approved the open water fishing contests for the 2018 season. Participants must comply with state fishing regulations, including daily and possession limits.
Applications for fishing contests may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the FWP Fisheries Division in Helena. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts and/or require additional access site maintenance when needed.
Information on the approved fishing contests can be found on the FWP Fishing Contest webpage, http://fwp.mt.gov/fish/whereToFish/contests/, or by calling 406-444-2449.
Approved 2018 Open Water Fishing Contests
Northwest Montana, Region 1
| Mar 10-11 |
Tobacco Valley Rod and Gun Club Rainbow Derby |
Lake Koocanusa |
| Mar 16 – May 12 |
Spring Mack Days |
Flathead Lake |
| April 21 |
Big Sky Bass Bash |
Echo, Abbot, & Petersen Lakes |
| April 22 |
NBAA Qualifier |
Lake Mary Ronan |
| May 5-6 |
MT BASS Nation Team Open |
Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| May 12-13 |
Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF Series |
Flathead River & Sloughs |
| May 19-20 |
Koocanusa Resort & Marina Trout and Salmon Derby |
Lake Koocanusa |
| May 19-20 |
NBAA Qualifier |
Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| June 8-10 |
Montana BASS Nation State Championship |
Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| June 9 |
Wild West Panfish Trail |
Flathead River & Sloughs |
| June 23-24 |
Bull Lake Pike Strike |
Bull Lake |
| July 28-29 |
Tri-State Buddy Tournament/NBAA |
Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| Aug 4-5 |
NBAA Qualifier |
Thompson Lakes – Middle & Lower |
| Aug 18-19 |
MT TBF State Team Qualifier |
Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| Sept 8-9 |
Wild West Panfish Trail |
Thompson Lake-Middle & Lower |
| Sept 21 – Nov 11 |
Fall Mack Days |
Flathead Lake |
| Sept 22 |
Bull Lake Pike and Bass Tournament |
Bull Lake |
| Sept 29 |
Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF |
Echo, Abbot, & Peterson Lakes |
| Oct 6 |
Wild West Panfish Trail |
Lake Mary Ronan |
West Central Montana, Region 2
| June 9-10 |
Mr. Pike Classic |
Seeley & Salmon Lakes |
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Southwest Montana, Region 3
| June 9 |
Livingston Firefighters Kids Trout Derby |
Sacajawea Park Lagoon |
| June 16 |
Blacktail Meadows Kid Fishing Derby |
Blacktail Meadows Kids Fish Pond |
North Central Montana, Region 4
| May 18-20 |
Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby |
Missouri, Marias, & Teton Rivers |
| June 9 |
Canyon Ferry Carp Safari |
Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| June 9-10 |
Tiber Walleye Tournament |
Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell |
| June 17 |
Lions Club Father’s Day Fish Derby |
Newlan Creek Reservoir |
| June 23-24 |
Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival |
Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| July 14 |
Broadwater Rod and Gun Walleye Derby |
Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| July 14 |
Fishin for Fun (Family Fun Days) Women’s Tournament |
Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell |
| Aug 11 |
Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit |
Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| Aug 25 |
John Arnold Fish Derby |
Hauser Reservoir |
South Central Montana, Region 5
| April 28 |
Worden Cat Slam |
Yellowstone River (Huntley Dam to Ranchers Dam) |
| May 12 |
Annual Yellowstone Challenge |
Yellowstone River (Huntley Bridge to mouth of Bighorn River) |
| June 9-10 |
NBAA Qualifier |
Yellowtail Reservoir |
| June 22 |
Bighorn River Alliance Carp Tournament |
Bighorn Lake |
Northeast Montana, Region 6
| Apr 21 |
Jerry Johnston Memorial Tough Guy Tournament |
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
| May 5-6 |
Crooked Creek Walleye Classic |
Fork Peck Reservoir (Crooked Creek Bay) |
| May 19-20 |
Fresno Walleye Challenge |
Fresno Reservoir |
| May 19-20 |
MT/ND TBF Qualifier |
Fort Peck Reservoir Hell Creek) |
| June 2 |
Annual Milk River Catfish Classic |
Milk River (Junebug Bridge to mouth of the Milk River) |
| June 2-3 |
Rock Creek Walleye Tournament |
Fort Peck Reservoir |
| June 9-10 |
Pikemasters Tournament |
Fort Peck Reservoir (Big Dry Arm) |
| June 23 |
Hell Creek Ladies Fishing Tournament |
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
| July 12-15 |
Annual MT Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament |
Fort Peck Reservoir |
| July 21 |
Women’s Walleye Tournament |
Fort Peck Reservoir |
| July 28-29 |
Hell Creek Walleye Tournament |
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
| Aug 11-12 |
NBAA Qualifier |
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
| Aug 18 |
Fishin’ For the Cure |
Fort Peck Reservoir |
| Sept 22-23 |
NBAA MT State Championship |
Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
Southeast Montana, Region 7
| May 19 |
Hysham Cat Havoc |
Yellowstone River (Hysham Dam to Reservation Creek Road) |
| May 19 |
Glendive Catfish Tourney |
Yellowstone River (Fallon Bridge to Intake Dam) |
| June 9 |
Savage Volunteer Fire Department Catfish Tournament |
Yellowstone River (Cottonwood Creek to Sidney Bridge) |
| July 21 |
Monster Catfish Roundup |
Yellowstone River (Elk Island FAS to ND State Line) |
| July 28 |
Forsyth Cat Bash |
Yellowstone River (Forsyth Dam to Rosebud County Line) |
| Sept 8-9 |
Miles City Spring Cat Frenzy (State Championship) |
Yellowstone River (Rosebud County Line to Kinsey Bridge) |
| Sept 22 |
Yellowstone River Classic |
Yellowstone River (Rosebud/Custer Co. line to Kinsey Bridge) |
| Oct 13 |
Yellowstone River Rats Jig N Crank Fest |
Yellowstone River (Seven Sisters Island to ND state line) |
(release via Montana FWP)
