
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…

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.

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.

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.

Makoshika State Park near Glendive is Montana’s largest state park—about 11,538 acres of rugged badlands, hoodoos, and wide-open sky. Built on the fossil-rich Hell Creek Formation, it’s a must for dinosaur fans and anyone looking for hiking, a scenic drive, camping, a visitor center, and even disc golf in the badlands.

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.

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.

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.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is rolling out a new License Ambassador Program ahead of March 1, replacing the longtime License Provider Program due to aging technology. Here’s what we know so far from the Montana Outdoor Podcast—and what to listen for in the full episode.

Anglers are split over Lake Cascade’s missing 2-pound perch: is it a natural age-class reset, or too much harvest and pressure? One longtime angler says the lake is loaded with 10–12 inch fish and isn’t ready to panic—while others argue slot limits and reduced daily limits are the only path back to jumbos.

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.

Grizzly Hackle’s boots-on-the-ground Bitterroot River report for Feb. 25, 2026: clear, stable flows; trout holding deep; nymphing still king with heavy stones, worms, and flashy perdigons. Expect afternoon midges on warmer days, selective dry-fly opportunities in flat water, and streamer eats on natural colors. Plus: spring-hatch countdown and a floaters-beware heads-up for downed trees.

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.

Montana’s 1st Annual Fort Peck Tournament of Kings hits July 31–Aug. 1, 2026 with a 150-boat cap, $400 team entry, top-four daily payouts, and a twist: Random Salmon Weight Pots that could pay $15,000 per day. Registration opens online March 15, 2026.

A simple question about targeting paddlefish on the Yellowstone turned into a preseason reality check: paddlefishing isn’t casual. From training your shoulders and core to dialing in the cast-sweep-repeat rhythm, packing real fuel, and following Montana FWP regulations and mandatory reporting rules, here are the beginner tips experienced anglers keep repeating.

A coyote was captured on camera chasing a 3-year-old boy through the front gate of his Pasadena home—until his mom’s scream from inside the yard sent the animal the other way. It’s a stark reminder that wildlife awareness isn’t just for the backcountry; sometimes it starts right in the front yard.

Bitterroot Lake is fishable heading into Margo’s March Madness Fishing Derby (Feb. 28–March 1). As of Feb. 25, 2026: no snow on the ice, mostly clear visibility, and roughly 5–5.5 inches of ice in most areas (about 8 inches at the north-end county boat ramp). Still, watch for pressure ridges and cracks—and remember mandatory check-in…

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.

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.

The 2026 Spring Mack Days, sponsored by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes, runs from March 12 to May 9, focusing on conservation efforts while offering cash prizes for anglers.

Elk hoof disease (TAHD) is a painful, polymicrobial infection that leaves elk lame and struggling to walk. First detected in Southwest Washington in the late 1990s, it surged after 2007–2008 and has spread into parts of Oregon, Idaho, and California. With no vaccine or treatment for wild elk and many unanswered questions about transmission and…

Ice and slush have mostly melted, but the Yellowstone River is still very cold and fish are sluggish. Nymphing is the most effective approach right now; if you throw streamers, plan on a slow-motion strip or swing. Watch for spotty midge hatches depending on wind, and pay close attention to forecasts, wind, and potential ice…

Ice conditions for Margo’s March Madness Derby are improving but vary widely across the lake: the north end at the county ramp has about 8 inches (with 3 inches of snow), Lions Camp is around 6 inches, and the south end near the dam is roughly 4.5–5 inches. Watch for wet, slushy areas, pressure ridges,…

A cow elk in Montana wastes no time going full defense mode when a mountain lion is near her calf. Hooves fly as the mother elk stomps and strikes—an intense reminder that wildlife threats in the backcountry aren’t limited to predators.

Tackle boxes started as leather and wood in the late 1800s, shifted to mass-produced metal, and then boomed into post–World War II plastic icons from brands like Plano and UMCO. Here’s how a simple gear carrier evolved alongside American fishing culture.

It’s a deep-freeze on the Missouri River below Holter Dam, but the fishing has stayed surprisingly solid for anglers willing to layer up and work for it. Here’s the latest from Yellow Dog Flyfishing, including a flow update and what’s been producing.

Solo time outdoors can be the whole point—but it also means no quick backup if something goes wrong. Use these simple solo hunting and fishing safety basics: stay aware, trust your gut, share your plan, and leave if something feels off.

Feb. 20 update: Open water is visible near Campers Point South (from the road) and reported off Campers Point North by the pond. Warm temps, wind, and snow cover may be creating hidden weak spots and thin-ice “bridges”—use extreme caution.

Hell Creek Marina’s Feb. 22, 2026 ice update says a cold snap improved conditions: SxS are reported good to Lucky Point, 4-wheelers from Lucky Point to Johnson, with questionable ice beyond Johnson. The main lake is reported open—watch for changing conditions.

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.

“Work from anywhere” doesn’t always mean a kitchen table. For some ice anglers, remote flexibility looks like a laptop inside an ice shelter—proof that the real shift is mindset as much as location. If you’re mixing work and ice time, make safety the priority.

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.

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.

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.

The 2026 Kalispell Wolf Banquet is set for February 28 at the Flathead County Fairgrounds in Kalispell. Expect a hearty meal followed by games, raffles packed with prizes, and an auction with bid-worthy items. Here’s what to know and how to plan ahead.

Last week’s extreme cold and heavy snow dramatically thickened ice across NW Montana, opening up access to some larger lakes. With a warmer, wetter 7-day forecast (highs in the low 40s, lows near 30, possible rain), conditions could change fast—plan carefully and stay current on ice safety.

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.

A calm-looking elk can still react fast—especially around food. In a clip shared as a reminder, a child’s fingers were nibbled while hand-feeding. Here’s why hand-feeding wildlife is risky and the simplest rule to avoid preventable injuries.

Montana’s late-winter fly fishing has been unusually steady in 2026, with mild temperatures keeping conditions stable. Rising Trout Fly Fishing Outfitters reports solid clarity, consistent flows, and trout feeding more predictably than typical for this time of year—especially on subsurface presentations.

On the Montana Outdoor Podcast, host Downrigger Dale talks with instructor Racheal Vargas (Montana K9 Safety and Montana Health & Safety Training) about practical, life-saving skills you can learn through training for individuals and groups—including preparation to help friends, family, and even pets in emergencies.

These venison breakfast sausage stuffed pancakes—credited to Jenn Homa and shared by Kokanee Quinn—deliver a sweet-and-salty, handheld breakfast that’s perfect for cold mornings, early alarms, and everything from rut-chasing to couch lounging.

A mostly dry start to February is tightening drought conditions across Montana. Meteorologist Ryan Dennis says the usual winter “recharge” has been stingy this year, and the Golden Triangle is currently the hardest-hit area, with conditions slipping into extreme drought territory.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is expanding hunter education support by hiring seven regional education technicians, even as youth participation faces headwinds from overscheduled kids, two-income parents, and volunteer instructors. The technicians will help backstop the required firearm safety program for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1985.