Permit Application Process
Superb fishing, gorgeous scenery, and a remote setting combine to make a trip on the Smith River an unforgettable experience. With one put-in point and one take-out point, the 59-mile stretch of river is accessible only by canoe, raft, or other appropriate watercraft.
Because of its popularity, the Smith River is alone among Montana rivers to require a permit to float the waterway. A drawing for the permit is conducted each February; nine float parties are allowed to put in on the river each day. These regulations moderate fishing pressure and allow for long floats in relative solitude.
The float season varies widely depending on snow pack, rainfall, and amount and timing of irrigation. The typical float season is from mid-April through July 4th, occassionally with some floating in September.
Deadline
The deadline to submit an application for the 2008 season is passed. The deadline for 2009 will be mid February 2009.
Permit
The 2009 application will become available during the first week of January, 2009. The application can be submitted online through FWP's Automated Licensing System or via a paper application. During the application period a PDF of the application is available on this page (below) and at all FWP regional offices.
Download the permit application and instructions below. Return the completed application to:
- FWP Smith River Drawing
- P.O. Box 8009
- Helena, MT, 59604-8009
Smith River Permit Application (
15 KB)
Smith River Permit Instructions ( 25 KB)
Drawing Results
Results of the drawing will be made available early in March here.
Notification
Successful applicants will receive a permit with an informational floater packet. Unsuccessful applicants will receive a refund (or post card if you chose to donate your fee to the Corridor Enhancement Account). Please contact the FWP Smith River Program at (406) 454-5861 if you do not receive one of these notifications in the mail by the end of March.
Beginning March 19, 2008, you may call the Smith River Hotline at (406) 454-5861 between 8:00 AM and noon to request any remaining launch dates that may be available.
Permits are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Permit holders must bring photo identification to the put-in site. Permit holders must cancel their permit if they are not going to use their launch regardless of weather or water flows above 100 cfs (cubic feet per second). Failure to properly cancel a permit at flows above 100 cfs will result in losing next year's privileges for the Smith River permit drawing.
The Application fees are $30 for Montana residents and $55 for nonresidents. The fee—minus the $5 nonrefundable application fee—will be credited toward your float fee if you are a successful applicant. See Float Fees below.
The following float fees (in addition to the application fee) must be paid during the registration process at Camp Baker on the launch day. Do not submit these fees with your launch application. These fees (below) must be paid for each floater in the party.
| |
Resident |
Non-resident |
| Under 6 years |
FREE |
FREE |
| 6-12 years |
$15 |
$15 |
| 13 and older |
$25 |
$50 |
Corridor Enhancement Account
The CEA is an account set up to provide long-term protection of the Smith River Corridor. If you are unsuccessful in the drawing, you may choose to donate your application fee to the CEA. If you donate your fees and later (during the same season) you are able to float the Smith River with another permit holder, those funds may be credited to your float fees.
Unsuccessful applicants will receive a refund (minus the drawing fee), unless they decide to donate their fee to the Smith River Corridor Enhancement Account (CEA) via the check-off box provided on the application.
