Mar 13, 2026 · Angela Montana
Paddlefish Permit Deadline Approaches: Apply by April 1
Apply for paddlefish permits by April 1 to participate in the unique season. Applications are easy online or in-person at local FWP offices or authorized retailers. Don't miss out!
Mar 12, 2026 · Angela Montana
Central Montana game wardens report an increase in illegally taken mountain lions
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wardens reported a rise in illegally harvested mountain lions in central Montana in 2025, including hunters who shot lions first and only purchased hunting licenses afterward.
Mar 11, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Hunter Education Classes (2026): Spring & Summer Dates in Central and Eastern MT + How to Register
Ready to hunt in Montana? Montana FWP is listing in-person hunter education classes and online-student field days across central and eastern Montana this spring and summer. Seats can fill fast, and students must be registered before class begins—here’s how to sign up plus the full schedule of dates and towns.
Mar 11, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana FWP: LMU 422 Will Close to Male Mountain Lion Hunting After Sunset on March 12, 2026
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has ordered LMU 422 closed to all hunting of male mountain lions one-half hour after sunset on Thursday, March 12, 2026. Check the official quota status page for the latest details.
Mar 10, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana FWP Upper Missouri River Fisheries Meeting (March 16, Helena): Canyon Ferry, Hauser, Holter Updates
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks hosts its annual Upper Missouri River Reservoir Fisheries Management Plan update on March 16 at 6 p.m. in Helena. Hear population trends and management updates for Canyon Ferry, Hauser, Holter, and nearby Missouri River sections—and learn what keeps these popular fisheries producing year after year.
Mar 10, 2026 · Angela Montana
Free Bozeman Workshop Teaches Dog Owners How to Release a Pet From a Trap (March 26)
Montana K9 Safety is hosting a free trap release workshop for Bozeman-area dog owners on March 26. Expect hands-on demos with multiple trap types, a look at current trapping regulations, and simple tools that can help you safely free a dog if an accident happens on the trail.
Mar 6, 2026 · Angela Montana
New Automated Gate Added at Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site on the Yellowstone River: Hours & Rules
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks installed an automated gate at Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site near Livingston to curb overnight use, vandalism, and after-hours issues. Daytime access remains the same: open daily 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.; overnight camping is prohibited.
Mar 5, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Crews Return to the Cabinet Mountains to Study Mountain Lions—Building on 25+ Years of Research
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.
Mar 3, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana FWP Is Hiring a Full-Time Outdoor Job Near Plentywood (Benefits Included, Apply by March 15)
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.
Mar 2, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana FWP’s Spring Electrofishing on 7 Rivers: What Anglers Need to Know About Tagged Trout (and Rewards)
FWP crews are floating seven Montana rivers over the next several weeks for their annual electrofishing “science tour,” collecting trout data and continuing tagging efforts. If you catch a tagged trout on the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Ruby, or Madison, you can help the research—clip the tag, report it online, and you may even qualify for prizes or cash depending on the tag color.
Mar 2, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Wolf Harvest Update: 241 Taken So Far (Out of 452) — Regional Breakdown, Open Units, and Season Dates
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports 241 wolves harvested statewide so far this season out of a 452 quota (excluding WMUs 313 and 316). Here’s the regional breakdown, which units are open/closed, season dates, and why checking FWP’s live counter matters before you head out.
Feb 26, 2026 · Angela Montana
Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA Shed Hunting Opening Day 2026: May 15 Noon Access, Vehicle Entry Registration, and New Nonresident Rules
Headed to Montana’s Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA for opening day shed hunting? Here’s the May 15, 2026 noon access plan, how vehicle entry registration and lineup work, where walk/bike/horse users can enter, and what the new seven-day nonresident restriction and $50 WMA shed-hunting license mean.
Feb 26, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Big Cat Closures: Region 6 Bobcat Season Ends Feb. 28; LMU 280 Male Mountain Lion Closes Feb. 27, 2026
Montana FWP reports two quota-driven big cat closures: bobcat hunting and trapping in Region 6 ends at midnight Saturday, Feb. 28, and LMU 280 closes to the hunting of male mountain lions one-half hour after sunset Friday, Feb. 27, 2026. Here’s what to know and where to check official quota updates before you head out.
Feb 25, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana State Parks Reservations Now Open for Camping, Lodging & Tours (Plus Blackfoot Float-In Sites Start March 2)
Montana State Parks is now accepting reservations for camping, lodging, and tours. Most sites can be booked up to three months in advance (with a seven-night max per site). Blackfoot River Corridor float-in campsite reservations open March 2 by phone only, with required fire pans, food storage, and portable toilet systems for overnight floaters.
Feb 25, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Elk Don’t Follow a Script—How FWP Uses GPS Tracklogs to Survey Smarter
Montana wildlife surveys have evolved from paper maps and pencils to handheld GPS units and digital mapping tools. As elk shift with mild winters and changing habitat, Montana FWP biologists use detailed tracklogs to verify coverage, avoid double-counting, and improve year-to-year consistency—leading to sharper data and smarter management decisions.
Feb 23, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Shed Antler Hunting Rules for 2026: $50 Nonresident WMA License + 7-Day Waiting Period
Montana’s 2026 shed antler rule updates mainly affect nonresidents on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): a new $50 WMA shed hunting license and a seven-day wait before picking up sheds after WMAs open. Most WMAs open at 12 p.m. on May 15, but verify the specific area’s opening time.
Feb 23, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Closes Male Mountain Lion Season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 After Sunset (Feb. 24, 2026)
Montana’s Fish & Wildlife Commission ordered the male mountain lion season in LMU 123 and LMU 340 to close one-half hour after sunset on Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026. Hunters should check current quota status before heading out.
Feb 23, 2026 · Angela Montana
Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report (Feb. 23, 2026): Final Winter Update + Urgent Ice Safety Warning as Canyon Ferry Opens Up
Final winter fishing report for Helena-area reservoirs before updates resume in April. Ice is highly variable and can change fast, and Canyon Ferry’s south end is seeing expanding open water that’s undermining nearby ice—use extreme caution on any ice.
Feb 23, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Hunting Licenses Go on Sale March 1: What Opens, What Changed This Year, and What to Check Before You Buy
March 1 is Montana’s “opening day for paperwork”: licenses go on sale and special draw applications open. With multiple rule changes tied to the 2025 Legislature and the Fish and Wildlife Commission, this is the year to double-check requirements before you buy—don’t assume it’s the same as last season.
Feb 22, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana LMU 680 Closing to Female Mountain Lion Hunting After Sunset (Feb. 23, 2026) — What to Know
By order of the Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission, LMU 680 will close to all hunting of female mountain lions one-half hour after sunset on Monday, Feb. 23, 2026. Get the effective time/date, what’s changing, and where to check official quota status on Montana FWP.
Feb 20, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Closes Female Mountain Lion Harvest in LMU 320 & LMU 121 After Sunset Feb. 21, 2026 (Quota Update)
Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission announces female mountain lion harvest closes in LMU 320 and LMU 121 one-half hour after sunset on Saturday, Feb. 21, 2026, as part of the state’s quota system to support healthy lion populations and sustainable hunting opportunity.
Feb 19, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana FWP Reminder: These Hunting and Trapping Seasons Continue After the Feb. 28 License Deadline
Most Montana licenses wrap up Feb. 28, but a few seasons keep going. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks says mountain lion and wolf hunting continue past the license-year close, and some trapping seasons do too. If you use E-Tags, note they’ll go inactive in the app after Feb. 28—FWP recommends picking up an offline license at a regional office. Season dates: fwp.mt.gov/hunt. Licensing hotline: 406-444-2950.
Feb 19, 2026 · Angela Montana
Smith River Permit Lottery Results Are In: How to Check MyFWP, Super Permit Deadline (March 15) + Launch Rules
Montana FWP has posted Smith River permit drawing results in MyFWP, and successful applicants will also receive their permit by email. Didn’t draw? Super Permit chances are on sale through March 15 ($5 each), and remaining/cancelled launch dates can be requested by phone starting Monday, March 2. Here’s what to know about updated river rules, registration, and launching.
Feb 18, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Hunter Ed Registration Is Opening Now: Grab a Spring Seat Before the Summer Rush
More than 15 hunter and bowhunter education courses across north-central Montana are open or about to open for registration. Spring is the easiest time to secure a spot, with both classroom and online options available. Don’t wait until late summer or fall, when seats get competitive and classes fill up fast.
Feb 18, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Wolf Harvest Update (Feb. 17, 2026): 229 Wolves Taken Toward 452-Quota; WMU 313 Closed
FWP reports 229 wolves harvested statewide toward a 452-wolf quota (excluding WMUs 313 and 316). Region 1 leads with 96, followed by Region 2 (73) and Region 3 (49). Region 3 remains open (49 of 60), WMU 316 is open (1 of 3), and WMU 313 has closed after reaching its 3-wolf limit. The general season and trapping run through March 15.
Feb 18, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana Boat Inspection Stations Reopen March 7: Key Watercraft Inspection Dates, Locations, and AIS Reports
Montana watercraft inspection stations reopen March 7 in Dillon, Ravalli, and Anaconda as Fish, Wildlife & Parks highlights another year of keeping invasive mussels out of state waters. New AIS reports underscore strong prevention statewide—and a growing risk from boats returning from out-of-state waters.
Feb 17, 2026 · Angela Montana
Helena Area Fishing & Ice Report (Feb. 17, 2026): Canyon Ferry, Hauser, Holter & Helena Valley Reservoir
Montana FWP’s latest Helena-area reservoir update: ice is extremely variable, with open water in spots. Here’s where anglers are finding rainbows, walleye, perch, kokanee, and burbot—plus what’s being used and where conditions are unsafe.
Feb 14, 2026 · Angela Montana
Elk captured on the Crow Reservation test negative for brucellosis
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, with the Crow Tribe, captured 99 elk to study migration and brucellosis presence. GPS collars were fitted to track their movement and inform wildlife management decisions.
Feb 11, 2026 · Angela Montana
New Backcountry Camping Rules at Beartooth WMA
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will no longer allow caching supplies at Beartooth Wildlife Management Area, enforcing a leave-no-trace policy starting May 15 for visitors during hunting season.
Feb 10, 2026 · Angela Montana
Enroll in Spring 2026 Montana Hunter Safety Classes
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks offers various hunter education options this spring, including in-person classes and online courses, required for hunters born after January 1, 1985. Classes fill quickly.
Feb 9, 2026 · Angela Montana
Hunting and trapping for bobcats to close in Region 4 on Wednesday
Bobcat hunting and trapping in Montana Region 4 ends on February 11 at midnight. Hunters should check quota status online to ensure compliance with regulations before the season closes.
Feb 9, 2026 · Angela Montana
Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 2.9.26
Anglers should exercise caution due to varying ice conditions. Fishing yields include rainbows at Canyon Ferry and Helena Valley, while Hauser and Holter have mostly open water and unstable ice.
Feb 5, 2026 · Angela Montana
Game wardens seek Information on Unlawfully Killed Bull Elk West of Roundup
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks game wardens are seeking the public’s help in gathering information on an unlawfully killed bull elk found on private property and left to waste. Only the head and backstraps were removed from the bull and all other meat was wasted.
Feb 3, 2026 · Angela Montana
Reward offered for information on illegally introduced pike at Kalispell’s Pine Grove Pond
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is investigating the illegal introduction of northern pike into Pine Grove Pond, threatening its trout fishery. Anglers should report and remove pike to preserve the ecosystem.
Feb 2, 2026 · Angela Montana
Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 2.2.26
Anglers are reminded that ice conditions can be extremely variable. Ice thickness can range from thick enough to support a […]
Jan 27, 2026 · Angela Montana
Montana 2026 Hunting Regulations Available Now
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has released the 2026 hunting regulations for deer, elk, antelope, and moose, sheep, goat, and bison. Hunters should review them online before the application period.
Jan 26, 2026 · Angela Montana
Important Montana Mountain Lion Hunting Updates
The Montana Fish & Wildlife Commission has announced a closure to hunting female Mountain Lions in LMU 411 and male Mountain Lions in LMU 391, effective January 27th, 2026, after sunset.
Jan 26, 2026 · Angela Montana
Helena, MT Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 1.26.26
Ice conditions vary greatly, affecting fishing opportunities. Rainbows, kokanee, and perch are being caught with specific baits in various locations.
Jan 24, 2026 · Miguel Lee
Montana Fishing Report – January 24th 2026
Ice is here, in different places, and fishing is to be had. Listen here for reports on your favorite spots […]
Jan 23, 2026 · Angela Montana
Get Your Class C Trapping License in Miles City
Trapping, wildlife ethics, and real-world skills—all in one day…
Jan 22, 2026 · Angela Montana
Yellow tag paddlefish phone creel survey completed
Sidney Bridge Dominated Paddlefish Harvests—Here’s Where Anglers Had the Most Success…
Jan 22, 2026 · Angela Montana
Snowpack conditions at higher elevations suggest adequate streamflow this spring
Montana’s Snowpack Looks “Okay”…But There’s One Big Wild Card Still in Play…
Jan 21, 2026 · Angela Montana
Cooney Ice Report 1.20.26
Cooney Ice: Green Light in Some Spots, Red Flag in Others…
Jan 20, 2026 · Angela Montana
Helena, MT Area Reservoirs Fishing/Ice Report 1.20.26
Anglers should exercise extreme caution, as ice conditions vary greatly. Currently, there is no safe ice at Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter, with limited fishing success at Helena Valley.
Jan 19, 2026 · Angela Montana
LMU 204 PENDING CLOSURE TO MALE LIONS
Upcoming mountain lion hunting closure…
Jan 19, 2026 · Angela Montana
Enroll in Miles City’s Bowhunter Education Now!
FWP is offering a bowhunter education class in Miles City from April 17-19.
Jan 15, 2026 · Angela Montana
Why Helicopters Are Following Elk (And Why It Matters)
Helicopters + Elk = ?
Jan 11, 2026 · Angela Montana
LMU 331 PENDING CLOSURE TO MALE LIONS
Montana hunters take note: male mountain lion hunting in LMU 331 will close tomorrow…
Jan 9, 2026 · Angela Montana
LMU 441 pending closure to female lions
Notice to big cat hunters….
Jan 6, 2026 · Angela Montana
LMU 322 pending closure to male lions
Note this male mountain lion hunting change for LMU 322…..