Good afternoon, Montanans (and visitors!) and welcome to mud season! Roads and trails on the B-D are a sloppy, soupy, mess and they will be until nighttime temps rise.
Far beneath the surface the soil is still frozen. Moisture from melting snow can’t be fully absorbed as it is later in the season. This pattern contributes to spring flooding and the associated hazards as well as erosion, falling rock, and thick mud.
Forest visitors should be prepared for slick, and varied conditions on FS roads. Remember, forest roads are not maintained for heavy traffic, however our roads crew of 9 works hard to keep them in operable condition. Please don’t hesitate to contact a District Office if you come across any safety or road hazards due to the spring melt.
It is wise to carry a shovel in your vehicle just in case you need to dig out of a sticky situation; strategic rock placement can also help when the tires are spinning. As always, avoid any off-road motor vehicle use. Moist soil conditions can lead to compaction and rutting which in turn hamper nutrient uptake. A little dirt never hurt but might require additional planning. So, head on out there and enjoy springtime forest activities just don’t forget to leave your boots at the door.
Guest Writer: Mandalyn Child, Resource Assistant, BDNF
May be an image of road

MT Outdoor Podcast: Statewide Fishing Reports and a Whole Bunch More..,

Jul-05-25 by Angela Montana

Downrigger Dale hijacks the studio for a solo show packed with fishing reports, crazy rumors, and a healthy dose of Montana mischief!

Cooking with Kokanee Quinn: Simply the Best Blueberry Pie

Jul-05-25 by Angela Montana

Say goodbye to soggy pie—Kokanee Quinn found the ultimate blueberry pie recipe that actually sets, slices clean, and tastes like summer in a crust…

Montana Fishing Reports

Yellowstone River and Livingston Area Fly Fishing Report 6.30.25

Jul-03-25 by Angela Montana

High temps and early runoff are pushing Montana’s rivers ahead of schedule—enjoy the bite now, but fish with care….

SW Montana Fishing Report Overview 6.30.25

Jul-01-25 by Angela Montana

Every river, creek, and lake in southwest Montana seems to be firing — it’s one of those rare, glorious windows where everything is fishing awesome, and it won’t last long…

Montana Tourney Trail

Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival Final Results; a Tie For First Place

Jun-28-25 by Moosetrack Megan

60 teams competed in the Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival Friday and Saturday, with two teams tying for first place!

Low weights on Day 1 of Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival

Jun-27-25 by Moosetrack Megan

Low weights dominated day 1 of Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival. 

A tough bite and small fish for the 60 teams competing in the tournament.

FINAL RESULTS:143.15 pounds takes first place at Tiber Walleye Tournament

Jun-14-25 by Moosetrack Megan

38 teams competed with three teams each bringing in a jaw-dropping 110+pounds in the Tiber Walleye Tournament! Unofficially a U.S. walleye tournament 2-day record was reached! We’ll update you when we hear it’s official!

68.6 pounds leads Day 1 of Tiber Walleye Tournament

Jun-13-25 by Moosetrack Megan

38 teams competed with three teams catching incredible, amazing, unbelievable weights!

Miss Last Week’s Show? Catch Both Hours Right Here

Jun-28-25 by Kamp Cook

If you missed last Saturday’s Montana Outdoor Radio Show, don’t worry — we saved it for you. You can now […]

Montana Fishing Reports Are In – Here’s What’s Biting

Jun-28-25 by Kamp Cook

Wondering where the fish are biting this week in Big Sky Country? We’ve got you covered. From Fort Peck to […]

Montana Outdoor Podcast

MT Outdoor Podcast: Statewide Fishing Reports and a Whole Bunch More..,

Jul-05-25 by Angela Montana

Downrigger Dale hijacks the studio for a solo show packed with fishing reports, crazy rumors, and a healthy dose of Montana mischief!

Sponsors:

MT Outdoor Podcast: The Secret Side of State Parks

Jun-21-25 by Angela Montana

Think Montana’s State Parks run on tax dollars? This episode uncovers the surprising nonprofit making the magic happen behind the scenes.

Outdoor How-To

How to Clean a Trout

May-11-25 by Angela Montana

Here’s a quick way to clean a trout…

How To Snag and Release Paddlefish with FWP

May-01-25 by Angela Montana

Snagging a river dinosaur might sound crazy to some, but in Montana, it’s just another paddlefish season….

How To De-Skunk Your Dog

Apr-01-25 by Angela Montana

That “special” new scent your dog is rocking? Yeah, here’s one way to get rid of that…

MT Wildlife

When the River Calls, You Go

Jul-03-25 by Angela Montana

If you’ve ever dreamed of quitting your job and disappearing to the river, Louie the otter gets it…

What Deer See and Why It Matters

Jun-26-25 by Angela Montana

If you think you’re invisible to a deer in blaze orange, you might be wrong…

A Bison’s Final Steps at YNP’s Grand Prismatic Spring

Jun-23-25 by Angela Montana

Onlookers horrified at a bison took one wrong step into Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring…

Montana Hunting

Flathead National Forest issues special use authorization for Holland Lake Lodge

Jul-04-25 by Moosetrack Megan

The permitted operations include existing activities with no change to the authorized facilities or footprint of the Lodge. Kalispell, Mont., […]

Prickly Pear Land Trust Unveils New Wheelchair Charging Station at Tenmile Creek Park

Jul-04-25 by Moosetrack Megan

Prickly Pear Land Trust (PPLT) has installed Helena’s first outdoor wheelchair charging station, explicitly implemented to support outdoor recreation. Now open at Tenmile Creek Park, the station helps ensure people who use power wheelchairs can explore with greater independence and peace of mind.

What Kind of a Hunter Are You?

Jun-28-25 by Angela Montana

A real hunter doesn’t just aim to kill—they aim to honor the animal, the land, and the tradition. Read more from Montana Grant right here!

BLM greenlights geothermal and pipeline projects to bolster U.S. energy independence

Jun-27-25 by Moosetrack Megan

In Montana, the BLM approved NorthWestern Energy’s proposal to construct the 74-mile Helena to Three Forks natural gas pipeline through an accelerated 14-day environmental review process, which is being used in response to the national energy emergency declared by President Donald J. Trump. 

Viral Stories

A Drone’s Fiery Encounter in Sidney, MT

Jun-26-25 by Angela Montana

A routine storm chase detoured into a fireball-filled explosion in Sidney, Montana…

A Bison’s Final Steps at YNP’s Grand Prismatic Spring

Jun-23-25 by Angela Montana

Onlookers horrified at a bison took one wrong step into Yellowstone’s Grand Prismatic Spring…

Cow moose, 2 calves dead after encounter with angler

Jun-19-25 by Moosetrack Megan

On the morning of June 14, 2025, Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel received a report that a cow moose had been shot in a confrontation with an angler on the North Tongue River in the Bighorn National Forest near Bear Lodge Resort. When game wardens responded, they found the moose deceased from her injuries.

Montana FWP

Dawson County Fire Update

Jul-03-25 by Angela Montana
FWP

Rain substantially reduced the wildfire in Glendive…

Nonresident hunters can now check their Alternate List status online

Jul-03-25 by Angela Montana
FWP

The Alternate List gives nonresident hunters a second shot at a Montana combo tag—check your spot now on MyFWP….

Wild Game Recipes

Cooking with Kokanee Quinn: Simply the Best Blueberry Pie

Jul-05-25 by Angela Montana

Say goodbye to soggy pie—Kokanee Quinn found the ultimate blueberry pie recipe that actually sets, slices clean, and tastes like summer in a crust…

Taters in Mountain Dew

Jul-03-25 by Angela Montana

Who knew Mountain Dew, bacon, and potatoes could create the ultimate campfire side dish? More from Montana Grant here!