FISH :: Fishing Regulations

2025 Fishing Regulations

Combined trout district standards have changed for the western and central districts.
Spearfishing regulations in the Western District have changed to include persons swimming or submerged in waters open to fishing, or as otherwise noted under District Exceptions.
Flathead Lake regulation for lake whitefish has changed.
Any smallmouth bass caught on Placid Lake must be immediately killed, kept, and reported to FWP within 24 hours.
Paddlefish seasons and regulations have changed.
“Artificial lures only” exceptions are intended to mean no live or dead bait.

Regulations Achive - see past years' regulations

Highlights/Reminders

Red Rock Creek (Beaverhead River drainage): Closed to angling year-round from Elk Lake Road to Upper Red Rock Lake; upstream of Elk Lake Road open year-round to artificial lures only, except closed May 1 – June 14.
Paddlefish: Transition to new electronic and paper tags—plastic tags are no longer issued; tags must be validated immediately upon harvest, and Mandatory Harvest Reporting must still be reported in accordance with tag area (white, blue, green, or yellow) requirements; anglers can visit the paddlefish dashboard for harvest counts and other information for each tag area at (fwp.mt.gov/fish/regulations/paddlefish).

General Fishing Seasons
	Rivers & Streams	Lakes & Reservoirs
Western District	Open third Saturday in May through November 30, unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations.	Open all year
Central District	Open all year, unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations.	Open all year
Eastern District	Open all year	Open all year

Identify which Fishing District you will be fishing (Western, Central, or Eastern).
Read the Standard Regulations that apply to all waters in that District.
Look up the specific water you will be fishing to see if it is listed as an Exception to the Standard Regulations.
If that is identified in the Exceptions, these regulations take the place of the Standard Regulations (e.g., season, daily limits, etc.).
If not listed in the Exceptions, the District Standard Regulations apply.