Online registration for the 1st Annual Fort Peck Montana Tournament of Kings opens in 6 days, and with a 150-boat limit, spots could go fast. Here’s what to do now to be ready when the link drops—plus how to stay in the loop.

Mack Days

2026 Spring Mack Days on Flathead Lake: Dates, Prizes, Rules, Fish Pickup Sites & Conservation Goals

Mar 02, 2026 – Angela Montana

Mack Days returns to Flathead Lake March 12–May 9, 2026, giving anglers nine weeks to target non-native lake trout while supporting conservation of native bull trout and westslope cutthroat. Get the key dates, prize details, entry rules, fish drop-off locations, and important release and fish ID requirements.

Montana Ice Fishing Reports

Bitterroot Lake Ice Update (Feb. 27, 2026): 4–5 Inches at North Access, Open Water at Reeds & South Ramp — No Machines

Feb 27, 2026 – Angela Montana

Bitterroot Lake ice has shrunk significantly with warm weather and wind. The north end county access is now 4–5 inches, the reeds are open water, and the south end boat access has open water at the ramp. No machines. Mandatory check-in at the Hilltop Hitching Post.

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Deer Hunting

How Montana Hunters Lost $800 in Venison—And How You Won’t

Mar 15, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Montana hunters risk losing a freezer full of elk or deer every storm season. Here’s how to protect your wild game before next outage hits.

Fishing

How Weather Affects Fish Feeding Behavior

Mar 15, 2026 – Angela Montana

Weather significantly impacts fish feeding behavior, with factors like temperature and pressure influencing activity. Understanding these changes helps anglers adjust tactics for improved catch rates.

Hunting

Montana Turkey Season 2026: Public Land Scout and Prep Guide

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Montana’s spring turkey season opens April 15. Here’s your one-month public land scouting and prep guide to punch your tag opening week.

Fishing

Hard Lessons Montana Outdoorsmen Learn Too Late Every Spring

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Mid-March is Montana’s most dangerous season. Here’s what kills trips—and sometimes people—when anglers and hunters rush back outside too soon.

Hunting

Realtree’s Spring Thunder Heads West — What Montana Merriam’s Hunters Can Learn From It

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Realtree’s Spring Thunder crew chases Merriam’s turkeys in Black Hills country — here’s what Montana hunters can take from it for a DIY public land spring hunt.

Conservation

Smith River Permit 2026: The Complete Guide to Drawing, Planning, and Floating Montana’s Most Coveted Trip

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Your complete guide to the Smith River permit 2026 lottery — deadlines, odds, standby tips, outfitter options, and insider float planning advice.

Hunting

Montana Backcountry Trail Cam Footage Shows What’s Really Moving When Nobody’s Watching

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Year-round Montana backcountry trail cam footage from Diaries of a Trailcam — with tips on how hunters can use this intel to scout smarter.

Last Weeks Show

Montana Outdoor Radio Show – March 14th Recap

Mar 14, 2026 – Kamp Cook

Last week on the Montana Outdoor Radio Show, we talked about the early signs of spring fishing across the state. […]

Audio Reports

Montana Fishing Report – March 14th

Mar 14, 2026 – Kamp Cook

Mid-March in Montana means winter and spring are still arguing about who’s in charge. Ice fishing opportunities are fading quickly […]

Fishing

Something Big Hit on the Bighorn: Wildhook Adventures Tangles With a Mystery Catch on One of Montana’s Most Legendary Rivers

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

The crew at Wildhook Adventures hooks into something massive on the Bighorn River near Fort Smith — one of Montana’s top tailwater trout fisheries.

Hunting

Cracking Montana’s Elk Draw: What Every Non-Resident Needs to Know

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Montana’s elk draw is one of the most competitive in the West. Here’s what non-residents need to know before applying this season.

Conservation

Why Dumping Bait Fish Could Destroy Your Favorite Montana Lake

Mar 14, 2026 – montanaoutdoor

Illegal fish stocking is one of Montana’s biggest fishery threats. Here’s why dumping bait fish or “pet” fish can ruin a waterbody forever.