A ranching dream that started back in 8th grade. A grind through college struggles and long days at a dealership wash rack. In this Montana Outdoor Podcast sneak peek, Downrigger Dale previews entrepreneur Karl Tyler’s winding path—and teases what might be some of the best cattle in the world. Full episode drops tomorrow morning.

Most Montana basins are now below normal snowpack as of March 1, with conditions commonly ranking in the bottom 5% to 30% of winters on record, according to NRCS. A sharp elevation split remains—higher sites closer to normal, lower sites at record lows—while drought expanded to 95% of the state and early water-supply forecasts point to near-to-below-normal runoff.

A short cold snap tightened the ice on Rock Creek just enough for Don Wilkins to get back out on Fort Peck and pick up several lake trout on jigs and plastics in 65–80 feet—while warning that a warm front could quickly end safe ice. Here’s the latest report, plus safety reminders before you go.

An avalanche investigation says a Feb. 22 slide in Idaho buried a Minnesota father and his 21-year-old son just 15 feet apart, creating overlapping transceiver signals that complicated the rescue. The incident unfolded in Carrot Canyon near West Yellowstone during “considerable” avalanche danger above 8,000 feet, with multiple slides triggered on the same slope.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks biologists are back in the Cabinet Mountains near Libby, using hounds to locate mountain lions and collect biological samples. The work adds to more than 25 years of research, helping compare today’s lions with earlier data and informing population estimates, harvest tracking, and long-term management.

With the Gallatin running at 301 CFS at Gallatin Gateway, The River’s Edge reports fishing has been phenomenal—and even a colder stretch shouldn’t slow the bite much. Most consistent action is still subsurface: nymph rigs through deeper seams and buckets, or covering water with streamers. Here’s what’s working, plus section-by-section tips for fishing the Gallatin from Yellowstone to the Valley.

A Devils Lake yellow perch caught by Alan Hintz and weighed on a certified scale at Woodland Resort came in at 16.5 inches and 2.99 pounds—potentially edging out North Dakota’s long-standing state record. The catch remains unofficial pending the North Dakota Game and Fish Department’s required verification period.

Spring breakup is underway at Tongue River Reservoir, with open water at both ramps and a few boats already out. But ice still blocks key stretches near the dam, between Sand Point and Pee Wee north, and at the far south end—limiting where you can safely travel right now. Here’s the latest access and ice update based on a recent FWP post.

Bored of basic beef jerky? These five wildly unique jerky recipes—from Dr Pepper Jalapeño to chocolate-covered, coffee-marinated, maple syrup, and Bloody Mary—bring sweet heat, smoky depth, and serious snack-time swagger.

A 10-year-old angler landed a 28.5-pound freshwater drum during the Lake Champlain International Father’s Day Derby and eventually earned Vermont state-record certification — plus about $26,000 in prize money. From Lake Champlain to Montana’s seasonal contests, the appeal is the same: one unexpected bite can change everything.

Love early mornings on the water at Fort Peck? Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop is hiring dependable, hardworking team members for full-time and part-time roles including store clerks, housekeeping, groundskeeping, and bait care. Call 406-526-3597 to apply.

Walleyes Unlimited of Montana’s Jim Rettig Memorial Scholarship is back, offering at least two $1,500 scholarships each year for WUM members and their dependent children heading to college this fall. Applications are due April 1, and winners will be notified by letter no later than July 1.

Organizers of the 1st Annual Fort Peck Montana Tournament of Kings at Fort Peck Lake simplified online registration after angler feedback. When registration opens March 15, 2026, only the team captain must enter an SSN at sign-up; other team members can provide SSNs at check-in. An EIN option is available, and organizers say the form is secure and encrypted.

Want a job that keeps you outside? Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is hiring a full-time position based in the Plentywood area, with work ranging from state park and fishing access support to maintenance, signage, and hunting-season assistance. Full benefits included; applications due March 15 at 11:59 p.m.

Idaho Fish and Game’s March 3, 2026 Upper Salmon River steelhead report shows another strong week, with the best catch rates upstream of the Pahsimeroi (location codes 18–19). Midweek weather reduced clarity downstream, but conditions improved by the weekend and PIT tag detections at the Elevenmile (USE) array climbed to 136 for the run year.

The Flathead National Forest has released a proposal to reconstruct the wastewater treatment system serving Holland Lake Campground’s bay loop, the RV dump station, and Holland Lake Lodge. Review project documents online and submit input within 30 days; an in-person and virtual information session is set for March 9, 2026 in Condon, Montana.

Idaho Fish and Game removed 82 wild mule deer that entered a captive elk facility in GMU 60A after hunters reported seeing them inside during the 2025 season. Officials said lethal removal and CWD testing were the most responsible option because wild deer can’t legally remain in captivity and there’s no reliable live test for chronic wasting disease.

A solo snowmobiler got stuck in deep snow near the Yellowstone Park boundary, about 11 miles south of West Yellowstone. Rescuers used coordinates shared by phone to reach the rider by snowmobile, free the machine, and escort the rider back to the main trail system. Authorities urge riders to travel with others when possible and carry satellite communication and basic survival gear.

Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says 63-year-old Keith Mack of Troy went ice fishing at Spar Lake on Feb. 28, 2026, and didn’t return home. Search and rescue teams later recovered him from the water on March 2, after family found his snowmobile at Spar Lake Campground and his gear near a hole in the ice.

Four Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes Natural Resources staff members received major statewide awards for decades of fisheries and wildlife conservation leadership — including bull trout recovery, Jocko River restoration, Flathead Lake native fish work, and habitat restoration across the Flathead Reservation.

Hell Creek Marina in Jordan, Montana shared a March 2 ice update for Fort Peck Lake: based on water clarity, it appears the lake has rolled over and conditions are back to walk-on. Here’s what to know and what to watch next.

Low, steady flows out of Libby Dam (4,000 cfs) and mild weather have the Kootenai River fishing very doable heading into early March. With water temps around 40°F, expect limited dry-fly action—but consistent nymphing and slow, deep streamer presentations can still turn up quality fish, especially in softer 5+ foot holding water.

Most mountain lions stay within a home range—but documented dispersals show some can go far beyond what most people imagine. One young tom’s journey from South Dakota’s Black Hills to Connecticut topped 1,500 miles, and GPS studies have captured other long treks, including a female that logged close to 1,000 miles across multiple western states.