Twelve-year-old Brantley Brunelle successfully caught his first salmon, weighing 24.10 pounds, on his very first attempt. This impressive catch exemplifies the memorable experiences that Lakeridge Lodging and Bait Shop offers. For those aspiring to catch a notable fish, they can contact the shop for their own fishing adventure.

Outdoor Life critiques 27 common excuses deer hunters use when hunts go awry, encouraging hunters to confront their mistakes instead of blaming external factors. The article humorously dissects excuses such as neighbor interference and challenging conditions, offering practical advice for improvement. It's a worthwhile read before heading back into the field.

Sixteen bison stepped off trailers onto the Montana prairie in 2005. What happened next left wildlife watchers genuinely speechless.

The Flathead National Forest today announced the Quill Pig Project, located four miles south of Swan Lake, MT in the […]

By Abigail Lauten-Scrivner, UM News Service MISSOULA – Have you ever had the experience of passing two people on a […]

The post highlights a delicious pronghorn meatloaf recipe from Wild Game Cuisine, inspired by recent hunting photos from Montana. It emphasizes the unique flavor of antelope and offers tips for ensuring the meatloaf stays moist, featuring cheese and drippings for added richness. Ideal for those with a successful hunting season.

The Bighorn River is showing improved fishing conditions, with clearer water and consistent nymphing. Flows are steady at 1,600 cfs, and water temperatures around 54°F enhance streamer fishing. Use sow bugs with midges for success. Late October promises good fishing; check conditions before heading out. Visit Bighorn Troutpost for gear and meals.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking one high school student for a two-year position on the Future Fisheries Citizen Review Panel, which influences approximately $1 million annually for fish habitat restoration projects. The student would vote on funding proposals and attend two meetings each year. Applications are open until filled.

Autumn fishing in Flathead sees increasing whitefish activity, especially near the old steel and CFalls bridges. Lake trout and bass fishing are promising, while pike and crappie remain active. Check regulations and weather, and join the whitefish contest at Chancy's Fish Camp. Good luck and enjoy the season's opportunities!

A fishing closure on the upper Big Hole River, from Saginaw Bridge to the North Fork confluence, has been lifted due to improved flows. The closure, which began on August 12 to address low water levels, follows the Big Hole River Drought Management Plan. Spawning-related closures still apply in other areas.

The upper Big Hole River holds the last wild, river-dwelling Arctic grayling in the Lower 48. Here’s why that matters to every Montana angler.

Brush Lake State Park will discontinue potable water starting October 21, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks. Campers are advised to bring their own water, although dry camping will still be permitted. The park's gate will remain open for visitors throughout the season.

Late-October fishing in Western Montana features a five-hour active period from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. due to cold morning water. Key insects include Blue-winged Olives and Mahogany Duns. Weather varies from mild to colder conditions, affecting fishing strategies. The middle and lower Bitterroot offer optimal conditions, along with the Clark Fork for dry-fly fishing.

With three weeks remaining in the 2026 Fall Mack Days event, anglers have turned in 16,798 lake trout to support native species. $4,000 worth of tagged fish have been caught, with one worth $10,000 still available. Top competitors include Terry Krogstad and Julie Perkins, leading in their respective categories. Safety is emphasized for participants.

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission approved new fishing regulations for 2027-2028, including updated limits and methods, and established a 99-year conservation easement on Hannah Ranch. They banned motorized watercraft on Mitchell Slough, reflecting public input and scientific assessment in the regulatory process. Additional topics like trout regulations and frog relocations were also addressed.

As the boating season ends, fishing at Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter Reservoirs is thriving. Walleye and rainbow trout are actively biting, with specific techniques yielding great results. The kokanee salmon snagging season continues through October, offering ample opportunities for anglers. Campgrounds are closed, and docks are removed for the year.

Montana FWP’s new CWD testing video tells hunters exactly where to go and how to prep their deer, elk, or moose samples this season.

October on the Ruby River is an ideal time for fly-fishing, with fewer crowds and active brown trout. Anglers should focus on early baetis and streamers, especially as leaves fall. Winter shifts the strategy to nymphs and midges. Keep in mind fishing regulations for different river sections.

Man drops a bag of cash on professional escorts for the biggest elk in Pennsylvania, and the escorts end up […]

Opening day got skunked, day two brought a blizzard, and somehow that’s when Walker Heckman’s Montana pronghorn season turned into […]

Snagging season at Fort Peck Reservoir offers anglers a chance to catch Montana's prized Chinook salmon. Once caught, a quick meal can be prepared in just twenty minutes using chili-rubbed salmon in tortillas with slaw and lime, making for a fresh, delicious supper that doesn't require lengthy cooking methods.

Montana wardens are stopping every kayak, canoe, and paddleboard at AIS check stations. Here’s what paddlers and anglers need to know right now.

During January and February, winter coyotes hunt with heightened senses, making them receptive to unconventional sounds. Hunters are encouraged to use unique distress calls like tire screeches or woodpecker sounds alongside classic techniques to attract coyotes. Unusual noises can help lure coyotes by evading their instinctive caution.

Thatcher angler beats record set just three months earlier This summer’s hot streak of record fish continues to churn out […]

Missed it, listen here to your favorite reports and content. From Flathead Lake to up the Bitterroot, entering the Helena […]

Montana game wardens unravel a deer hunter’s suspicious story in this WILDLANDS episode — a real-world reminder of what FWP enforcement actually looks like.

Montana anglers are gearing up for new regulations, changing conditions, and expectations. Brett French Outdoor Editor of the Billings Gazette […]

The Montana Outdoor Podcast explores hunting in Region 5, featuring insights from wildlife biologist Shawn Stewart. He highlights elk hunting challenges, deer population trends, and alarming bear behavior changes. The discussion also covers other game species and encourages hunters to stay informed about regulations and wildlife management.

Kalispell, MT, October 16, 2026) — The Flathead National Forest announced today that the Piper Creek Project has completed the planning […]

The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission announces the closure of the specified hunting district to all Bighorn Sheep hunting. This prohibition will be in effect beginning one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, October 17, 2026, as outlined in the legal descriptions provided.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announces a new bull elk permit for HD 101-50 (North Tobacco) for the 2026-2027 season, allowing only permit holders to hunt antlered elk in that area. General license holders may hunt antlered elk elsewhere in HD 101, excluding North Tobacco. Regulations are available for review.

FWP reports a rise in dead and dying deer and antelope, particularly near rivers, due to hemorrhagic diseases like EHD and BT. These diseases, not harmful to humans, typically decline with colder weather. Hunters are advised not to harvest sick animals. FWP is monitoring the situation and public reporting is limited.

A Montana rancher outside Vaughn cloned the world’s largest wild sheep. What happened next raises serious questions for hunters and conservationists alike.

U.S. District Court Judge William Mercer indicated willingness to allow the Bureau of Land Management to proceed with a wild horse gather, pending a hold on adoptions for advocacy arguments. Concerns over potential irreparable harm to the Pryor Mountain herd were discussed, along with the BLM's claims of necessary emergency actions due to poor forage conditions.

This past week, fishing was fruitful for smallmouth and pike, with effective lures like hair jigs and hammered spoons. Lake trout remained deeper, requiring specific jigs for success. Salmon populations are rising in the bays, with over 300,000 eggs collected by Fish and Game, marking a positive trend.

Montana's big game hunting season begins on October 24, with early youth deer hunt on October 15-16. Hunters can purchase licenses online, at FWP offices, or through local "License Ambassador" locations. Important details include card-only transactions at ambassadors, possible fees, and options for email or E-Tag licenses through the MyFWP app.