A Lake Fork, Texas fishing tournament turned surreal when staff used a metal-detecting wand on a largemouth bass—and later, game wardens reportedly found fishing weights inside the fish. Now the angler involved is facing serious legal consequences.

Yellowstone biologists reported the park’s first grizzly bear sighting of 2026 on March 9, after observing a bear scavenging a bull bison carcass in the northern backcountry. Here’s how this year compares to recent first-sighting dates—and what visitors should know about bear safety as bears emerge from hibernation.

After more than a decade of building Wyoming elk preference points, Andrew McKean and friends cashed in on a hard-to-access unit by flying a helicopter into landlocked public ground surrounded by private ranches. The hunt was lights-out—until a nearby rancher allegedly hauled off an elk head, triggering a tense confrontation, a viral video, and a theft charge.

Along Highway 287 near Three Forks, a hilltop herd of 39 life-sized blue steel horses appears to graze and move with the light. Created by Montana artist Jim Dolan and installed in 2013, the Bleu Horses blend art and landscape into an unforgettable roadside landmark.

Yellowstone National Park reported a notable drop in wolves in 2025—from about 123 in 2024 to around 90—raising new conservation concerns. Here’s what park managers say is contributing to the decline, why wolves matter to the broader ecosystem, and what researchers are watching next.

As winter loosens its grip, Yellowstone is surging with wildlife activity—from bison calves and meadow-grazing elk to increasingly visible grizzlies and wolves. Here’s why it matters for the park’s ecosystem and the region’s economy, plus how to watch responsibly.

Viral posts claim wildlife is fleeing Yellowstone ahead of an eruption—but park officials and scientists say there’s no evidence of unusual animal behavior or elevated volcanic signals. Here’s what experts watch for, why the myth spreads, and where to find reliable updates.

A viral March 10, 2026 video claims Norris Geyser Basin blasted water 200 meters into the air. The footage may show real geothermal action—but the hype overshoots what Steamboat Geyser is documented to do. Here’s what’s true about Steamboat, Norris Basin’s unusual chemistry, and why Yellowstone doesn’t need doomsday framing to be fascinating.

March on Montana’s Missouri River is rarely predictable—and 2026 could be even more of a wildcard with low snowpack and warming water. Here’s what to expect for midges, nymphing, streamer fishing, swinging flies, and the fickle spring weather that can make (or break) your day on the Mo.

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.

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.

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.

A paddlefish tagged in South Dakota in 2023 turned up in Kentucky during a June 2025 bowfishing trip—after an estimated 922-mile river journey. The surprising recovery has fisheries officials impressed, and it’s a reminder of just how far these prehistoric fish can roam.

Montana auctions moved 5,837 head in the first week of March with seasonal, quality-driven mixed trends. Feeder cattle ran steady to weak, replacement females dominated offerings, and slaughter bulls were the week’s standout—up $5–$8 as packers look for lean trim. Here’s the price recap, supply breakdown, and what to watch as spring grass demand builds.

MinnDak Outdoors hits the Missouri River below a dam for early spring walleye—covering lure and bait approach, subtle bites, and the full catch-clean-cook experience from riverbank to plate.

The National Farmers Union has awarded Dr. Dale McCall its highest honor—the Meritorious Service Award—recognizing four decades of leadership supporting family farms and ranchers across the Mountain West. McCall and fellow 2026 recipient Joe Logan were praised for lifelong service through Farmers Union and beyond.

The University of Montana has launched a new Chair of Fisheries Science with $5 million from 56 donors. Yoichiro Kanno will lead research on how warming temperatures and shrinking snowpack are reshaping trout habitat—and what restoration, student training, and science can do to help Montana’s iconic rivers endure.

Ice fishing isn’t just drilling a hole and waiting. Catch more fish by moving, experimenting with depth and presentations, and paying attention to structure—plus learn seven common rookie mistakes to avoid, straight from @Girlof10000Lakes.

After a record-setting 2025, Montana cattle producers are looking at a 2026 market shaped by historic lows in the national beef cow herd and unusually high volatility. Industry outlooks suggest bigger price swings—creating major opportunity, but also real budget and risk-management challenges for ranching operations across Big Sky Country.

Montana State University’s Nick Hagerty analyzed the 2022 Census of Agriculture and found a striking imbalance: irrigated acres make up just 7% of Montana cropland, yet they produce more than a quarter of the state’s crop value—about $737 million. Here’s what the data shows about yields, crop mix, and why irrigation punches far above its weight in Big Sky agriculture.

National Walleye Tour Champion Tom Huynh breaks down a simple, repeatable walleye “playbook” built around three levers—bait, timing, and location. His core message: stop fishing on autopilot, stay patient, and adjust based on what conditions (and the fish) are telling you, with electronics like sonar and GPS helping you make smarter decisions.

In a new on-the-water video, Tom Boley breaks in a new Warrior Boat while targeting early-spring walleyes with a simple, effective plan: jig live bait on channel points, lean on sensitive gear for subtle bites, and use modern electronics (plus dependable battery power) to fish with more confidence.

A Coeur d’Alene man has been sentenced in a North Idaho poaching case involving the unlawful killing of three white-tailed deer and one elk. Idaho Fish and Game says the case included nighttime hunting activity involving artificial light and resulted in jail time, restitution, and a long hunting license suspension.

You don’t need to sacrifice oral hygiene to protect wild places. From brushing with water to baking soda and natural chewing sticks—plus Leave No Trace ways to handle toothpaste waste—here are practical options for responsible backcountry tooth care.

Montana’s Stillwater River is still running cold despite a warmer-than-average winter, keeping fishing from fully turning on yet. Low flows have trout holding in deeper slots, where patient nymphing has produced action. Here’s what Montana Angler reported on March 6, 2026—and what to expect as spring temperatures rise.

Local anglers say ice conditions on the north end of Seeley Lake are deteriorating as warmer weather moves in, with open water growing along the shoreline. If you’re considering going out, use caution—ice can change fast when it starts separating from shore.

A joyful kids ice fishing moment at Hebgen Lake captures laughter, excitement, and winter magic with Kids-N-Snow in West Yellowstone—shared by Garrett Ostler on Saturday, March 7. Watch the video and get inspired for your next family day on the ice.

Winter finally let go at Canyon Ferry Lake: the ice is officially gone, boats are already launching, and the ramps are open for spring anglers ready to get back on open water.

City crews and the Billings Fire Department moved quickly Thursday after reports of an oily sheen in two Billings waterways. Absorbent booms were deployed to keep the slick from spreading as testing continues to pinpoint the source. Officials say the public is not in danger and the oil did not reach the Yellowstone River or the city’s water intake.

Winter is easing toward early spring across Montana, and anglers are splitting time between lingering lake ice and late-winter river trout fishing. Here’s what changed with longer days, what flies are producing on the Madison and Missouri, and where to listen to both hours of the March 7 Montana Outdoor Radio Show.

March is teasing spring across Montana, but ice conditions are turning more variable—especially near shorelines and pressure cracks. Meanwhile, open water remains consistent, with the Madison and Missouri producing steady trout action on midges, sowbugs, and small nymph rigs. Here’s what to watch and how to adjust your approach right now.

Karl Tyler wanted a cattle ranch since 8th grade—but didn’t have money for land or cattle. On the Montana Outdoor Podcast, he tells Downrigger Dale how hard work and long-term focus took him from washing cars at a dealership to owning multiple dealerships and, ultimately, building a top-tier cattle operation that’s turning heads across the industry.

Kokanee Quinn resurrects a hard-to-find Alaska community-cookbook classic: salmon loaf—made with thawed frozen salmon (not canned) plus a little smoked salmon, cream, butter, Parmesan, lemon zest, and hot sauce. The result eats like a rich salmon burger baked into a loaf with a buttery, crumbly topping—easy enough for weeknights, impressive enough for guests.