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
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Montana Ice Fishing Tournaments

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Hunt in Montana

Montana Outdoor Podcast

New Episodes Every Saturday!

The MT Outdoor Podcast Has Never Covered These Lakes Before… Until Now

Dec-20-25 by Angela Montana

Find Out What the Pros Are Watching Right Now on Montana Lakes…Watch the Latest Episode on YouTube!

Exclusive Sneak Peek: When the Guides Talk Ice, We Listen

Dec-19-25 by Angela Montana

New lakes and fresh ice intel — check ou this exclusive sneak peek!

Want More Fish This Season? Start With Watching This MT Podcast Episode on YouTube..

Dec-13-25 by Angela Montana

STOP Scrolling — The Montana Outdoor Podcast Just Dropped GOLD…PURE ICE FISHING GOLD! Watch it now on YouTube!

Unlocking the Ice — A MT Outdoor Podcast Sneak Peek With Don Wilkins

Dec-12-25 by Angela Montana

How does Don Wilkins catch king salmon through the ice? Find out here…

Northwest Montana Ice Fishing Preview [MONTANA OUTDOOR PODCAST]

Dec-09-25 by montanaoutdoor

Downrigger reviews several lakes, explaining which are best for certain species (e.g. trout, perch, other common ice-fishing catches in Montana) […]

Guess Who’s Talking on the Montana Outdoor Podcast…

Dec-06-25 by Angela Montana

The next episode drops a bombshell from a Montana fishing icon — and trust us, you’ll want to hear it…

MT Outdoor Podcast: Meet the Wizards Behind Montana’s Unspawnable Salmon

Nov-29-25 by Angela Montana

They can’t spawn….they only live for three years. So, how are there new kings every season?


Montana Tourney Trail

Montana Fishing Reports

MT Wildlife

Different Is Definitely Not Bad…

Dec-29-25 by Angela Montana

Not all trophies look the same… and that’s a good thing…

Out Here, Even the Wildlife Drops By

Dec-29-25 by Angela Montana

Just another day living where the wild things are…

Viral Stories

A Massive Elk Invasion

Dec-19-25 by Angela Montana

This is an elk takeover that would be crazy to witness in-person!

Montana (Helena) Team Wins $500,000 in Cabo Fishing Tournament

Nov-05-25 by montanaoutdoor

A group of Montana anglers just proved that Big Sky Country breeds world-class fishermen — even in saltwater. Team Grey […]

Very Rare Footage of Wolverine Hunting Deer in Montana

Oct-19-25 by Angela Montana

Rare footage captures a wolverine hunting near Montana’s Ajax Mountain…

Bear’s Journey from Montana to the Savanna

Aug-15-25 by Angela Montana

From Montana’s peaks to Africa’s plains, this pup’s next job is guarding the herd to spare the fastest cat alive…

Wild Game Recipes

Would You Eat This?

Dec-30-25 by Angela Montana

This Dish Costs More Than A Lot of People’s Rent—and It Has Claws…