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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 at Hilltop Hitching Post before you fish.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.