A permit and fee is required to use FWP lands for commercial purposes—including fishing access sites, state parks, and wildlife management areas. Commercial use includes any person, group, or organization, that makes or attempts to make a profit, vend a service or product, receive money, amortize equipment, or obtain goods or services as compensation from participants in activities. This includes nonprofit organizations and educational groups that receive money from participants in activities. Examples of commercial use include, but are not limited to: trail rides, guided walks or tours, float trips, guided angling or hunting, game retrieval, professional dog training, berry picking, equipment rentals, retail sales, food concessions, filming, firewood cutting, construction-related activities, research when accompanied by paying clients, or any combination.

Permits

A permit and fee is required to use FWP lands for commercial purposes—including Fishing Access Sites, State Parks, and Wildlife Management Areas. There are two types of commercial use permits:

Fishing Access Site Permit

A Fishing Access Site (FAS) Permit is used to authorize water-based outfitting and guiding at FWP fishing access sites. This includes licensed and non-licensed outfitters and guides (e.g. fishing, whitewater rafting, canoeing.) These are individuals who are providing water-based guide services. All other types of commercial use at FAS must obtain a Restricted Use Permit (e.g. dive lessons, kayak lessons, boat rentals or demos, dock builders, etc.)

Restricted Use Permit

A Restricted Use Permit is used to authorize:

1. all commercial use occurring at state parks and wildlife management areas;
2. commercial use at FAS sites that is not water-based outfitting or guiding (e.g. equipment rentals);
3. water-based outfitting on restricted rivers (Alberton Gorge, Beaverhead, Big Hole, Blackfoot, Madison and Smith rivers.)

Reference Guides

Reference Guide: Commercial Use Permits

Reference guide provides general information about the permits required to conduct commercial use on FWP land, the application process, and permit fees. ( 38 KB)

Reference Guide: Water-based Outfitting and Guiding

Reference guide provides information about permits required to conduct water-based outfitting and guiding on FWP land, the application process, and permit fees. ( 16 KB)

Reference Guide: Still Photography and Filming

Reference guide provides information about permits required to conduct commercial photography or filming on FWP land, the application process, and permit fees. ( 17 KB)

Permit Applications

FAS Permit Application

The FAS Permit is available at any FWP regional office, external license provider, online, or you may download the paper application below. An ALS Number is required to obtain a FAS Permit. You will need to obtain the permit at a FWP regional office or external license provider if you do not have an ALS Number.

FAS Permit Application ( 24 KB)

Restricted Use Permit Application

A Restricted Use Permit is required to conduct commercial use at state parks, wildlife management areas, and fishing access sites that provide access to Restricted Rivers. Please consult the Reference Guides (above) for more information on Restricted Use Permits and then complete the Restricted Use Permit Application (below). FWP will use the permit application to determine whether to authorize the request.

Restricted Use Permit Application ( 304 KB)

Rules

Commercial Use Rules

These rules provide guidance to FWP for considering requests to conduct commercial use on FWP land and administering authorized use.

Commercial Use Rules ( 169 KB)

Fees

Commercial Use Fee Rule

This rule establishes the permit fees for conducting commercial use on FWP land.

Commercial Use Fee Rule ( 82 KB)