FWP spring 2026 closures affect bear, turkey, shed hunting & fishing. Here's what you need to know before heading out this week.

Montana’s spring bite is already turning on—and 2026 fishing licenses are available now. Here’s the simple breakdown of resident and nonresident costs, the required Conservation License, species-specific permits (like paddlefish and sturgeon), and the quickest ways to buy through FWP before the opener rush.

Western Montana rivers are already running higher than normal for mid-March, and the clear-water nymphing window won’t last. Here’s how to take advantage of pre-runoff conditions—where to go, what to rig, and how to stay safe before snowmelt turns your favorite runs into chocolate milk.

A coalition of 17 Montana recreation and sportsmen’s groups says federal officials are moving to eliminate the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule—without holding a single public meeting in Montana. Here’s what the Roadless Rule protects, why the process matters, and what hunters, anglers, and other backcountry users can do right now.