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When School Goes Outdoors: A Day of Discovery at Downstream
Fifth graders swapped desks for dirt and textbooks for tackle boxes during a wild day of birdwatching, fishing, and hands-on learning at Fort Peck’s Outdoor Classroom.
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WMAs Are Opening Soon: Time to Get Wild (Respectfully)
Time to dust off the binoculars—Montana’s wild VIP lounges are opening for the season, but remember: you’re a guest, not the main attraction….
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Drawing results for moose, sheep, goat and bison now available
Drawing results are officially posted!
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Here are the latest estimates from spring trout surveys for the upper Jefferson River basin
FWP and MSU research in upper Jefferson River basin continues…
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Celebrate Mother’s Day with free fishing
Skip the flowers—take Mom fishing for free this Mother’s Day and reel in some memories instead.
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FWP Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 5.5.25
From shoreline strikes to deep-water trolls, rainbows and walleyes are keeping Canyon Ferry, Hauser, and Holter anglers reeling in the action—no matter your bait, there’s a bite waiting…
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February 2025 Bighorn River waterfowl die-off linked to starvation
Harsh late winter weather, lack of food likely caused the mortality event…
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We want your input! FWP hosts statewide workshops to get input for new mule deer management plan
Montana FWP wants your voice in shaping the future of mule deer—join a local workshop to weigh in on the new statewide management plan and help steer the herd in the right direction.
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How To Snag and Release Paddlefish with FWP
Snagging a river dinosaur might sound crazy to some, but in Montana, it’s just another paddlefish season….
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2025 Fort Peck walleye spawn FINAL update, April 20th
Warm water temps have sparked a major surge in walleye activity—and the numbers coming out of Fort Peck might just surprise you.
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Hunting for all black bears pending closure in Black Bear Management Unit 510
Here’s the latest pending closure for black bear hunting…
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FWP continues partnering with Boy Scouts to turn Christmas trees into fish habitat
Glasgow’s Boy Scout Troop 861 is turning Christmas trees into fish habitats this year, helping perch spawn and keeping the Trout Pond clean—all while earning their stripes as eco-friendly heroes.
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FWP Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 4.21.25
Here is what happening in the Helena area reservoirs…
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Walleye Spawn Update III, April 16th
Walleye egg collection is surging at Fort Peck’s Big Dry Arm, with steady catches, ripe females, and nearly 30 million eggs already in the hatchery queue.
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Elk and Deer Permit Drawing Results Are In
Montana’s big game permit results are in—time to find out if you’re chasing dreams this fall or chasing leftovers….
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Spring Black Bear and Spring Turkey Seasons Open Today, April 15
Spring Black Bear and Spring Turkey Seasons Open Today!
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FWP reminder: Black Bear Management Unit 530 opens later for spring hunting than rest of state
BILLINGS – Black bear hunters are advised of a change in Bear Management Units (BMUs) and spring season dates in the […]
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Montana’s Two-Steps to the Tag, Online Course + Field Day
Hunter ed gets real when students step off the screen and into the safety zone…
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Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 4.7.25
Rainbows are on the move and biting from the banks to the boats—find out where to cast, what to toss, and why now’s the time to fish before someone else snags your spot!
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Commission closes bighorn sheep hunting in HD 622
Bighorn sheep hunting in Montana’s HD 622 is officially off the table after an emergency closure—biologists counted just five sheep in the latest survey.
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Ice on way out at Tongue River Reservoir
With a burst of warm winds, the ice vanishes almost overnight—spring is on the horizon, and boating season is just around the corner!
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FWP taking comment on shooting range proposal near Logan
Montana Has Its Sights on a New Shooting Range—Public Input Wanted…
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Several changes this year for paddlefishing in Montana
New year, new rules—Montana’s 2025 paddlefish regs are here, so brush up before you cast (or snag) your line!
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Volunteer Hunter, Bowhunter and Trapper Education instructors from south-central Montana recognized
In Montana, where hunting traditions run deep, dedicated volunteers are shaping the next generation of outdoorsmen, ensuring the legacy lives on, one safe lesson at a time. Here’s a list of some who were recently recognized.
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FWP Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 3.17.25
The ice fishing season is wrapping up in the Helena area, with rapidly changing conditions giving way to open water and the promise of great spring fishing ahead!
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STATEWIDE FISHERIES MANAGEMENT PLAN 2023-2026
Montana’s diverse fisheries offer exceptional recreational opportunities while safeguarding native fish species through a new comprehensive statewide management plan.
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Helena to host state NASP archery tournament for Montana students
Hundreds of Montana students will take aim at the state archery tournament in Helena as part of FWP’s Archery in the Schools Program.
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Changes to hunting regulations refer to drawing statistic information online
Montana’s 2025 hunting regulations are out, and hunters will notice a big change—no more misleading drawing odds charts, but better resources for accurate stats online!
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New funding available for community-led bear conflict prevention
New funding is now available to help Montana communities implement bear-resistant infrastructure and education initiatives to reduce human-wildlife conflicts—apply by March 24!
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FWP’s Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 3.10.25
Ice conditions are unpredictable, but for those willing to take precautions, the fishing has been excellent across Helena area waters.
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Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park – Partial Closure
Access routes are shifting! Plan ahead for your trip to Thompson Chain of Lakes State Park.
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Bighorn River Bird Die-Off: HPAI Ruled Out, Further Testing Underway
Good news! The bird die-off on the Bighorn River isn’t due to avian flu—but the mystery isn’t solved yet!
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FWP Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 3.3.25
See what is happening in the Helena area reservoirs, and be cautious out there!
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NOTICE OF MOUNTAIN LION CLOSURE – LMU 270
Please note that LMU 270 is closing to hunting of all male mountain lions tomorrow.
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Fish and Wildlife Commission to meet on April 17
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission meets April 17 in Helena and online—covering everything from fish removal to migratory bird regs, grazing leases, and more—so mark your calendar and make your voice heard!
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Large section of Flathead Lake north shore temporarily closing for bird nesting, migration
From March 1 to July 15, the north shore of Flathead Lake hits “Do Not Disturb” mode as migrating and nesting birds take over…
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Blackfoot River Float-In Reservations Open Soon
Paddle by day, camp by night—Blackfoot River float-in campsite reservations open March 3 incrementally..
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Montana men plead guilty to hunting violations
MILES CITY – Two Montana men pled guilty to charges related to the illegal harvest of a brow-tined bull elk […]
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Dead Waterfowl Reported on Bighorn River
Mysterious waterfowl deaths on the Bighorn River have wildlife officials investigating—here’s what you need to know…
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Fish and Wildlife Commission reopens Region 4 wolf harvest
Please note that Region 4 reopens for wolf harvests..
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FWP Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 2.24.25
Ice conditions are unpredictable, but for those venturing out, the fish are biting—here’s where and how to reel them in safely!
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NOTICE OF MOUNTAIN LION CLOSURE – LMUs 100 & 122
This one is for the big cat hunters–take note of the latest LMU closures…
