Last weekend, steelhead anglers faced challenging conditions due to increased river flow and decreased visibility from recent heavy rainfall. Only two fish were caught among numerous anglers. However, conditions improved early this week as water clarity increased and temperatures dropped, prompting better catch rates and more fish movement expected upstream.

The St. Mary Diversion Dam, completed in 1915 near Babb, Montana, is crucial for the Milk River Project, supplying up to 100% of the basin's water during dry years. A $70 million rehabilitation, funded partially by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, aims to enhance its efficiency, address structural issues, and protect the bull trout.

As autumn settles in, the river flows at 1,630 CFS, perfect for fishing. With reliable whitefish action and a mild forecast ahead, anglers should prepare for streamer season using diverse fly options, including olive patterns or a double-nymph rig. Yellowstone Angler invites visitors to book trips for an enjoyable fishing experience.

Wolves seemed like the obvious answer for Yellowstone’s shrinking elk herd. Turns out, biologists still can’t say for certain. Here’s why it matters.

A multi-year wildlife poaching investigation in Fremont County involving the illegal taking of deer, elk and a moose has been […]

The scene is set back in October 1958, a dairy farm hand named Fred Mercer crawls out of his tent […]

The seventh week of the 2026 Fall Mack Days fishing event has seen 18,899 lake trout entries, aiming to reduce non-native trout in Flathead Lake. The event runs until November 8th, with tagged fish prizes up to $10,000. Anglers are competing for various prizes, including categories for smallest and largest fish.

Canyon Ferry boasts excellent rainbow fishing, especially in the Silos area. Shore anglers find success using worms. Hauser's fishing is good at the Causeway with crawlers or leech flies. Holter also offers great rainbow action with various baits. The Kokanee Salmon snagging season runs until October 31st at Helena Valley.

In 1935, only 69 trumpeter swans survived in the lower 48 — most of them in one remote Montana valley. Here’s that story.

The Fall Big Game Classic at Shadow Enterprises in Kalispell, Montana invites hunters to bring their tagged harvest for a chance to win prizes. Open to all ages, participants can enter with a skull instead of the whole animal. Winners will be drawn on December 4th, 2026, with various prizes available.

On the last day of trout fishing, an angler witnesses a dramatic scene as a buck is chased by a coyote along the riverbank. He remains still to capture the moment on his phone, concluding his fishing season with an unexpected encounter with nature, highlighting the essence of patience in fishing.

A GPS-marked drake mallard showcases the extensive travel of wintering birds across the Mississippi Flyway. Research from Arkansas reveals these ducks don't settle in one place but move rapidly between wetlands for feeding, molting, and breeding. Conservation efforts are vital to maintain healthy habitats for this abundant species.

The recipe for a creamy Lake Whitefish Chowder highlights the fish's rich flavor, allowing it to poach gently in a simple broth with potatoes. Coconut cream substitutes traditional dairy, enhancing sweetness. An alternative, the classic New England version, incorporates bacon and fish stock for a richer taste. Key cooking techniques ensure optimal texture.

Eating snow when thirsty is dangerous; it contains mostly air, with 10 cups melting down to just 1 cup of water. The heat needed to melt it comes from your body, risking hypothermia. Instead, melt snow over a fire or with body heat before drinking to stay safe.

Montana wardens set a deer decoy in a blizzard near Glasgow and catch a shooter on the run. Here’s why this sting matters to every honest hunter.

Joan Wulff, born in 1926, revolutionized fly fishing over her century-long life. As a champion angler, educator, and co-founder of the Wulff School of Fly Fishing, she influenced generations by emphasizing technique over strength. Celebrating her 100th birthday, we honor her lasting impact on the sport and its enthusiasts.

Missed it, listen now to your favorite reports from those in the field or on the waters from all across […]

Winter weather is slowly moving in, and Mack Days is still going strong, others are switching out their rods for […]

Montana wardens bust poachers using a decoy deer — and measure a 6×6 bull elk worth $8,000 in trophy restitution. Here’s what every hunter needs to know.

In the latest Montana Outdoor Podcast, Downrigger Dale discusses hunting insights from FWP Region 3 with experts Warren Hansen and Morgan Jacobsen. They reveal elk population estimates of 60,000 but caution about accessibility for hunters. The episode also addresses trends in mule deer and antelope numbers, bear conflicts, and various hunting opportunities.

Kokanee Quinn embarked on a quest to discover the ultimate venison breakfast meatball recipe. Combining ground venison and pork with classic breakfast sausage spices, she created a flavorful dish. The meatballs are easy to make and can be customized with various ingredients, making them perfect for any meal or occasion.

Fort Peck hatchery staff collected approximately 763,000 Chinook salmon eggs this fall, marking a decrease from previous years, despite larger average fish sizes. Female salmon averaged 20.2 pounds, producing more and larger eggs than in 2025. The hatchery will monitor the egg development until the fish are released in spring 2027.

A bat-killing fungus has reached Glacier and Yellowstone for the first time. Here's what the detections mean for Montana's bat populations and ecosystems.

MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, Wyo. – As fall settles over Yellowstone National Park, most park roads and three entrances will close […]

The National Park Service, together with its official nonprofit and philanthropic partner, Yellowstone Forever, and Blackstone Infrastructure portfolio company Tallgrass, announces the establishment of a $105 million Conservation and Stewardship Fund, creating a permanent source of support for the long-term stewardship of the world’s first national park.

Actor Tom Skerritt, who passed away at 93, was renowned for his roles in films like MASH and Alien. He became a prominent figure in the fly-fishing community after portraying Reverend John Maclean in A River Runs Through It. The film, though creatively misleading about its river locations, significantly boosted the fly-fishing industry.

This week, smallmouth fishing was most effective with deadstick rods using minnows, while pike fishing slowed due to murky waters, with spoons being successful. Lakers are moving into shallower depths, with jigs and plastics proving effective. Water temperatures ranged from 55 to 57 degrees.

CWD technicians are training under coordinator Tyler Nelson to collect lymph nodes from deer at FWP's Miles City headquarters and regional sampling stations in southeast Montana. With the hunting season opening this weekend, hunters can have their animals tested or submit samples themselves. More details are available on FWP's website.

Montana’s Block Management Program opens millions of private acres to hunters — but timberland rules are different. Here’s what you need to know before you go.

Step-by-step guide to field dressing, quartering, and packing out a bull elk. Keep your meat clean and get every pound off the mountain.

Montana is exploring the restoration of bighorn sheep in central and eastern regions, focusing on areas with significant private land. A recent public panel, convened by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, aims to develop recommendations for managing bighorn populations while addressing challenges like disease transfer from domestic livestock and landowner participation.

The Jefferson River is currently low with modest fish counts, requiring a strategic approach for successful fishing. Target slower seams with nymphs and employ large streamers in deeper runs, especially under cloud cover. While good conditions should persist through November, the river will close for winter soon.

Silver Bow Creek absorbed a century of Butte mine waste. A new video digs into what Montana’s $215M settlement actually changed for the watershed.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks announces a final opportunity for hunters to sign up for Fleecer Cattle Co.'s Block Management Area (#143) this Friday, Oct. 23, from 12 to 2:30 p.m. Registration is required for access, as it's a Type-2 BMA. Check the FWP Block Management Guide for details.

From October 14-18, angler effort and catch for steelhead increased on the Upper Salmon River, particularly downstream of North Fork, where the average was 45 hours per fish. Water levels were favorable at 1,140 cfs. Note that Clearwater basin steelhead harvest closes on October 21, but catch-and-release remains.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will sell 50 archery licenses for a mule deer management hunt in Roundup starting November 4. The hunt addresses urban deer overpopulation, running from November 30 to February 15, 2027. Hunters need proper licenses and permission to hunt, with management measures in place to ensure public safety.