Solo time outdoors can be the whole point—but it also means no quick backup if something goes wrong. Use these simple solo hunting and fishing safety basics: stay aware, trust your gut, share your plan, and leave if something feels off.

Feb. 20 update: Open water is visible near Campers Point South (from the road) and reported off Campers Point North by the pond. Warm temps, wind, and snow cover may be creating hidden weak spots and thin-ice “bridges”—use extreme caution.

Hell Creek Marina’s Feb. 22, 2026 ice update says a cold snap improved conditions: SxS are reported good to Lucky Point, 4-wheelers from Lucky Point to Johnson, with questionable ice beyond Johnson. The main lake is reported open—watch for changing conditions.

Montana’s 2026 shed antler rule updates mainly affect nonresidents on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): a new $50 WMA shed hunting license and a seven-day wait before picking up sheds after WMAs open. Most WMAs open at 12 p.m. on May 15, but verify the specific area’s opening time.

“Work from anywhere” doesn’t always mean a kitchen table. For some ice anglers, remote flexibility looks like a laptop inside an ice shelter—proof that the real shift is mindset as much as location. If you’re mixing work and ice time, make safety the priority.

Glacier National Park will pilot a ticketed shuttle to Logan Pass in summer 2026, including early-morning express routes. Starting July 1 (weather permitting), Logan Pass parking for private vehicles will be capped at three hours. The park says vehicle reservations won’t be required anywhere in 2026.

A snowmobile rider was killed in an avalanche Sunday in the Centennial Mountains near Island Park, Idaho. The slide was reported north of the Keg Springs trailhead. The victim has not been identified, and officials said more information may follow after a site visit.

Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission ordered the male mountain lion season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 to close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Hunters should check current quota status before heading out.

Final winter fishing report for Helena-area reservoirs before updates resume in April. Ice is highly variable and can change fast, and Canyon Ferry’s south end is seeing expanding open water that’s undermining nearby ice—use extreme caution on any ice.

The 2026 Kalispell Wolf Banquet is set for February 28 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Expect a hearty meal followed by games, raffles packed with prizes, and an auction with bid-worthy items. Here’s what to know and how to plan ahead.

Last week’s extreme cold and heavy snow dramatically thickened ice across NW Montana, opening up access to some larger lakes. With a warmer, wetter 7-day forecast (highs in the low 40s, lows near 30, possible rain), conditions could change fast—plan carefully and stay current on ice safety.

A snowmobile rider was killed in an avalanche Sunday in the Centennial Mountains near Island Park, Idaho. The slide was reported north of the Keg Springs trailhead. The victim has not been identified, and officials said more information may follow after a site visit.

Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission ordered the male mountain lion season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 to close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Hunters should check current quota status before heading out.

Final winter fishing report for Helena-area reservoirs before updates resume in April. Ice is highly variable and can change fast, and Canyon Ferry’s south end is seeing expanding open water that’s undermining nearby ice—use extreme caution on any ice.

The 2026 Kalispell Wolf Banquet is set for February 28 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Expect a hearty meal followed by games, raffles packed with prizes, and an auction with bid-worthy items. Here’s what to know and how to plan ahead.

Last week’s extreme cold and heavy snow dramatically thickened ice across NW Montana, opening up access to some larger lakes. With a warmer, wetter 7-day forecast (highs in the low 40s, lows near 30, possible rain), conditions could change fast—plan carefully and stay current on ice safety.

By order of the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission, LMU 680 will close to all hunting of female mountain lions one-half hour after sunset on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Get the effective time/date, what’s changing, and where to check official quota status on Montana FWP.

A calm-looking elk can still react fast—especially around food. In a clip shared as a reminder, a child’s fingers were nibbled while hand-feeding. Here’s why hand-feeding wildlife is risky and the simplest rule to avoid preventable injuries.

Montana’s late-winter fly fishing has been unusually steady in 2026, with mild temperatures keeping conditions stable. Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters reports solid clarity, consistent flows, and trout feeding more predictably than typical for this time of year—especially on subsurface presentations.

This Montana Outdoor Radio Show recap covers changing late-winter fishing conditions across Montana—ice reports improving in some areas but still inconsistent, with pressure cracks and slushy ice in the mix—plus river fishing check-ins, cold-water trout tips, and a winter safety reminder.

Late February brings mixed ice across Montana—smaller lakes are generally safer than big reservoirs, and Fort Peck and Canyon Ferry still have uneven sections. Where ice is safe, anglers are finding perch and occasional walleye. Open water remains consistent, with the Madison and Missouri producing trout on midges, sowbugs, and small patterns.

On the Montana Outdoor Podcast, host Downrigger Dale talks with instructor Racheal Vargas (Montana K9 Safety and Montana Health & Safety Training) about practical, life-saving skills you can learn through training for individuals and groups—including preparation to help friends, family, and even pets in emergencies.