Photo: Forest Service - Northern Region, Public domain, Wikimedia Commons
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Montana
State, United States. Authority: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP).
2026 rules, checked on 23 September 2026.
Trout season 2027: all 50 states
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- Licence
- US$117.50Nonresident Season Fishing (Conservation $10 + AISPP $7.50 + license $100)
- Calendar lines open on
- 123 September 2026
- Minimum sizes
- 101.6 cmTiger muskie
Where to fish
© OpenStreetMap
2026 season calendar
Western District lakes and reservoirs open all year; unless otherwise specified in District Exceptions
unless otherwise specified in District Exceptions to Standard Regulations
Solid bars: fishing allowed. Yellow line: today.
Minimum sizes
| Species | Minimum size | 0–110 cm |
|---|---|---|
| Largemouth bass3 Western District standard: third Saturday in May - June 30, 1 daily and must be over 22 inches | 55.9 cm | |
| Tiger muskie3 Central and Eastern District standard: 1 daily, must be over 40 inches | 101.6 cm |
Bag limits
| Species | Fish you may keep |
|---|---|
| Largemouth bass3 Western District standard: 5 daily, only 1 greater than 12 inches (plus 1 daily over 22 in. rule third Sat. in May - June 30) | 5 per day |
| Smallmouth bass3 Western District standard, no size limit | 15 per day |
| Bass3 Central and Eastern District standard | 5 per day |
| Sauger/Walleye3 Central District: 5 daily, only 2 sauger; Eastern District: 5 daily, 10 in possession. Western District: all walleye must be killed, kept and reported to FWP within 24 h | 5 per day |
| Northern pike3 Central and Eastern District standard; Western District 15 daily, no possession limit | 10 per day |
Licence
| Licence | Duration | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Resident Season Fishing (Conservation + AIS Prevention Pass + Fishing), ages 18-611 | annual (March 1 - end of February) | US$31 |
| Resident Season Fishing, ages 18-61 (Conservation $8 + AISPP $2 + license $21)1 | annual | US$31 |
| Resident Season Fishing, ages 12-15 (no AISPP)1 | annual | US$14.50 |
| Resident Season Fishing, ages 16-17 and 62+1 | annual | US$16.50 |
| Resident 2-Day Fishing, ages 18-611 | 2-day | US$15 |
| Resident 2-Day Fishing, ages 16-17 and 62+1 | 2-day | US$11 |
| Nonresident Season Fishing (Conservation $10 + AISPP $7.50 + license $100)1 | annual | US$117.50 |
| Nonresident 1-Day Fishing1 | 1-day | US$31.50 |
| Nonresident 5-Day Fishing1 | 5-day | US$73.50 |
Buy the licence on ols.fwp.mt.gov
- Ages and exemptions2
- Anyone 11 years old or younger is not required to have a fishing license, including a Conservation or AIS Prevention Pass. License required for anyone 12 or older. Reduced resident prices for ages 12-17 and 62+.
Good to know
Three fishing districts (Western, Central, Eastern) with their own standard limits plus water-specific exceptions. Angler AIS Prevention Pass mandatory (16+). Western District: illegal walleye must be killed and reported. Bull trout closed unless authorized; pallid sturgeon closed. Paddlefish tag required.
What the authority does not publish
Points we could not find in the official texts: check with the authority.
- no statewide bass/walleye/pike minimum size (limits vary by district)
- nonresident youth pricing not found in 2026 fee sheet
Rules change every year and can be amended during the season. Before fishing, check the text in force with the authority listed.
Where to fish
Fishing places listed in the official sources.
- Fort Peck Lake reservoir, Valley County
Walleye View on the map - Canyon Ferry Lake reservoir, Broadwater County
Rainbow trout View on the map - Holter Reservoir reservoir, Lewis and Clark County
Rainbow trout View on the map - Hauser Reservoir reservoir, Lewis and Clark County
Rainbow trout View on the map - Georgetown Lake reservoir, Granite County
Rainbow trout, Brook trout View on the map - Hebgen Lake reservoir, Gallatin County
Rainbow trout, Grayling View on the map - Tiber Reservoir reservoir, Liberty County
Rainbow trout, Walleye View on the map - Nelson Reservoir reservoir, Phillips County
Walleye, Rainbow trout, Channel catfish View on the map - Browns Lake lake, Powell County
Rainbow trout View on the map - Seeley Lake lake, Missoula County View on the map
Frequently asked questions
How much is a fishing licence in Montana in 2026?
The “Nonresident Season Fishing (Conservation $10 + AISPP $7.50 + license $100)” licence costs US$117.50 (annual). Other options and prices are in the table above, with the official source.
What is the minimum size for muskellunge in Montana?
Muskellunge: 101.6 cm. Any smaller fish must be released immediately.
Official sources
- Montana FWP - License fees for 2026 (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- Montana FWP - Fishing License Basics (accessed on 23 September 2026)
- 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations (accessed on 23 September 2026)
Last checked: 23 September 2026.
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