Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office says 63-year-old Keith Mack of Troy, Montana, was reported missing after an ice fishing trip to Spar Lake. Search and rescue teams responded after his snowmobile and fishing gear were found near a hole in the ice, and he was recovered from the water March 2, 2026.

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.

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.

Winter still has a say, but the Livingston-area bite improves steadily through mid-March—especially for bigger pre-spawn rainbows. Focus on afternoons (possibly late morning by March 1), fish low-and-slow in deep walking-pace pools, and watch for brief midge or winter BWO activity on warm, calm days. Here’s the latest river-by-river guidance from Yellowstone Country Fly Fishing.

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.

Got an old busted fishing rod collecting dust? Don’t toss it—convert it into a short, sensitive DIY ice rod for jigging. This simple, budget-friendly build gives old gear a second life, and the video walkthrough shows you the basic steps to get back on the ice without breaking the bank.

On the hard water somewhere north of the border (possibly Canada), anglers haul a true monster lake trout through an ice hole—an ice-fishing moment that turns frozen fingers into a story for years.

Tongue River Marina reports 15–20 feet of open water off the ramp, with Marina Bay still mostly iced over but improving. More open water is showing from Rattlesnake south toward the mine as daytime temps warm—boat fishing could be just weeks away.

Looking for kid-safe toys that get kids off screens and into the backyard? These five “gateway gear” picks—from night vision binoculars to a bug-hunting kit—help young hunters, anglers, and explorers build outdoor skills one adventure at a time.

Winter isn’t letting go yet—Whitefish Lake remains locked up with lake trout cruising deep structure, while the Flathead River rewards anglers who time it right. Here’s what’s producing now, from white tubes tipped with cutbait on the ice to nymphs and streamers in late-winter river water.

This week’s Montana Outdoor Radio Show recap covers improving—but still inconsistent—ice conditions statewide, strong perch bites on smaller lakes, unpredictable larger waters, and late-winter river trout tactics (including flies that are producing) as longer days begin to shift fish behavior. Plus, a few classic slush-depth lessons learned. Catch the full episode for statewide fishing updates and Montana outdoor talk.

Closing out February with classic late-winter conditions: some lakes are finally offering decent ice, but thickness varies—especially on larger reservoirs. Here’s the latest on Fort Peck, Canyon Ferry, and why smaller lakes remain the safer bet.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is rolling out big licensing and regulation changes on March 1, including a new License Ambassador Program to replace the longtime License Provider system in local sporting goods stores. Here’s what the Montana Outdoor Podcast revealed—and where to learn more, find ambassadors, and submit questions.

Fire up the grill for Kokanee Quinn’s bison (or elk) tri-tip topped with a bright red bell pepper chimichurri—parsley, garlic, olive oil, lemon, and a touch of heat. Simple prep, big wild-game payoff.

Starting March 1, the Custer Gallatin National Forest’s food and attractant storage order returns for the Bozeman, Hebgen Lake, Gardiner, Yellowstone and Beartooth ranger districts. Here’s what visitors must do to store unattended food, trash and other attractants—plus where to find approved bear-resistant products. The order runs through Dec. 1, 2026.

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.

Montana’s Block Management Program is seeing far more demand even as enrolled private-land acres shrink. FWP is surveying landowners—and considering new incentives and outreach—to ease crowding and rebuild access.

Rock Creek ice briefly improved with last week’s colder weather, but recent warmth and wind have quickly degraded conditions. With no real cold ahead, the ice season is wrapping up—use extreme caution even on foot, as shifting ice and soft shorelines are increasing risk.

A deer hunting checklist keeps you legal, safe, and prepared—from licenses and land access to weapon readiness, navigation, scent control, and field dressing gear. Use this streamlined list to reduce mistakes, stay organized in bad weather, and focus on reading sign instead of scrambling.