This is the Official Montana Fishing regulations and Information navigation page for the Montana state rules and regulations guidebook overviews.
You can access each individual state regulation guidebook by clicking the links below.
These are just the overviews of the official state regulations.
The Actual state Montana Fishing regulation guidebooks are accessible by clicking on the state you would like to see from the home page map then clicking on the Montana state fishing regulations books.
They are also accessible by clicking on the Montana reg books below and accessing the Montana regs link in the Montana Guidebooks listed below.
Enjoy be safe and have a great time exploring the site and remember to check back often to keep updated on all the new laws, rules, and Montana regulations pertaining to the hunting, fishing, trapping, and wildlife sports.
Weather its Montana Trout fishing, Montana bass fishing, Montana striper fishing, Montana Salmon fishing, Montana Catfish fishing, Montana steelhead fishing, Montana Panfish fishing, Montana pike/muskie fishing, Montana Walleye fishing  We have the Montana state fishing regulations for your trip into the wilderness or on the water covered in one easy to location.
If you need Montana fishing maps, Montana state fishing maps, or just some Montana fishing reports to tell you were the bite is hot we have that too.

Montana Fishing Report

If you’re planning a fishing trip to Montana, you have some excellent choices for lakes and streams throughout the state including Ashley Lake, Bighorn Lake, Bull Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake, Clark Canyon Reservoir, Deadmans Basin Reservoir, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Georgetown Lake, Gibson Reservoir, Hauser Lake, Hebgen Lake, Holter Lake, Hungry Horse Reservoir, Lake Elwell/Tiber Reservoir, Lake Frances, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, Lake McDonald, Noxon Reservoir, Placid Lake, Seeley Lake, St Mary Lake, Whitefish Lake, Willow Creek Reservoir and others. Many of the lakes in Montana have camping facilities as well as other accommodations nearby. Montana is well known for excellent Bass, Salmon and Trout fishing. Additionally, in waters around the state you’ll find populations of Walleye, Crappie, Catfish, Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Sauger, Saugeye, Paddlefish and sunfish including Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Bass, Yellow Perch which are plentiful in some waters.

Fishing is regulated in Montana by the Fish & Game Department. You can check their website for current fishing reports.

Largemouth Bass and Smallmouth Bass
Fishing in Montana.

Bass are one of the most sought after of all the game fish. Its appeal spans cultures, age groups and genders to tap on the heart strings of anglers everywhere. Join us in our endeavor to offer information about bass fishing on your favorite bass lake in the Montana area.

Bass Fishing Lakes In Montana

Montana has excellent fishing opportunities pretty much all across the state. It is not known as a prolific bass fishing state due to relatively short growing seasons and typically cold water. That said, there are still plenty of places in MT fo fish for and catch some very nice bass. Private ponds, rivers and small lakes may contain bass but the larger populations of bass are harbored in some of the major lakes in the state. The lakes with a healthy population of bass include Bighorn Lake, Bull Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Hauser Lake, Holter Lake, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, Nelson Reservoir, Placid Lake and Seeley Lake.

The Montana state record largemouth bass was caught from Many Lakes. For the state record smallmouth bass there is a tie, one came from Fort Peck Reservoir and the other from the Flathead River.

Trout Fishing in Montana

The 5 primary trouts are the rainbow, brook, brown, cutthroat and lake trout. Brown trout are considered the most difficult to catch and brookies are the easiest. Pure cold water is key to survival of the trouts and the brook trout is the most sensitive to temperature. The others are comfortable in slightly warmer waters.

Trout Fishing Lakes In Montana

With its clean cold water, Montana is a prime haven for trout. They grow big and healthy in all types of waters throughout the state. Virtually all rivers and streams in MT contain one or more species of trout and they are found in private ponds and small lakes as well. Most of the major lakes in Montana sport a healthy population of trout. These lakes include Ashley Lake, Bighorn Lake, Bull Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake, Clark Canyon Reservoir, Deadmans Basin Reservoir, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Georgetown Lake, Gibson Reservoir, Hauser Lake, Hebgen Lake, Holter Lake, Hungry Horse Reservoir, Lake Elwell/Tiber Reservoir, Lake Frances, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, Lake McDonald, Noxon Reservoir, Placid Lake, Seeley Lake, St Mary Lake, Whitefish Lake and Willow Creek Reservoir.

Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Parks has a program for stockinh trout and other fish. Visit their website to get details on trout stocking in Montana.

The Montana state record brook trout was caught from Lower Two Medicine Lake and the state record brown trout came out of Wade Lake. Red Eagle Lake yielded the state record cutthroat trout and Cave Lake gave up the state record golden trout. Ashley Lake has the honors for the state record hybrid trout and Flathead Lake for the state record lake trout. Honors for the Montana stste record rainbow trout belongs to the Kootenai River near the David Thompson Bridge. Bear lake yielded the state record tiger trout.

Salmon Fishing in Montana
Salmon Fishing Lakes In Montana

There is a nice variety of salmon fishing in MT. Several major lakes including Ashley Lake, Bull Lake, Deadmans Basin Reservoir, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Georgetown Lake, Hauser Lake, Holter Lake, Placid Lake and Whitefish Lake all have populations of salmon. Also try your luck in the tributary rivers that flow into or out of these lakes.

The Montana state record chinook salmon (king) and coho salmon both were caught out of Fort Peck Reservoir. The stste record lokanee salmon was pulled from Hauser Lake.

Walleye Fishing in Montana

Walleye
Stizostedion vitreum

The walleye prefers moderately deep lakes with gravel, rock or sandy bottoms. It is found primarily in cold water lakes but has proven to survive in some warmer water impoundments. It is prized for its great tasting white, flaky flesh.

Walleye Fishing Lakes In Montana

Walleye fishing is limited to a handful of lakes and some of the rivers associated with them. The lakes with healthy populations of walleye include Bighorn Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Hauser Lake, Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir), Lake Frances, Lake Helena and Nelson Reservoir.

The Montana state record walleye was taken out of Fort Peck Reservoir.

Montana walleye spawn in spring and when they have the option will choose to migrate from the lake up into feeder streams to spawn. If this option is not available they seek out shallow bars or shoals with clean bottom surfaces near deep water.

This toothy fish will eat virtually anything it can catch and get in its mouth. They prefer small fish and will eat crustaceans, worms and insects. They tend to be somewhat wary and prefer the safety of deeper darker water. Try fishing for walleye from sundown to midnight, particularly during the heat of summer.

Fish for Montana walleye with live bait, crankbaits, spoons, small spinner baits as well as plastic worms and grubs.

Crappie Fishing in Montana

Crappie are actually a member of the sunfish family and can be found in all the continental states. They are known by many different names, typically based on geographic location. Paper mouth, goggleye, bridge perch and speckled perch, just to name a few.

Crappie Fishing Lakes In Montana

Due to the cold water and short growing season, crappie fishing is limited to a handful of major lakes. They include Bighorn Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir and Nelson Reservoir. You may also find crappie in private ponds, rivers and some of the smaller lakes in the warmer sections of the state.

The Montana state record black crappie was taken out of Tongue River Reservoir and the state record white crappie was taken fron the Tongue River itself.

Catfish Fishing in Montana

There are many species of catfish and even more ways to catch them. Adults range in size from less than a pound to hundreds of pounds. They can be found in all types of water including ponds, streams, lakes and rivers. There are even species which spend a limited amount of time on dry land. Big giant catfish put up a very noble fight once hooked.

Catfish Fishing Lakes In Montana

Unlike southern states, catfish are not in the vast majority of fishing waters here in Montana. You can still catch catfish in MT, you're simply limited to the number of options. The major lakes with healthy populations of channel catfish include Bighorn Lake, lathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake and Nelson Lake. Some of the rivers, ponds and smaller lakes may also have catfish, but not in great numbers.

The Montana state record channel catfish was caught out of Castle Rock Lake.

Sunfish Fishing in Montana for Bluegills, Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed Sunfish, Rock Bass, White Bass, Yellow Perch and Other MT Panfish.

One or more species of sunfish populate virtually all warm water streams, ponds and lakes throughout Montana and around the world for that matter. They can survive in waters that provide their natural food source of minnows, crustaceans, insects and worms. Their competitive nature amongst themselves for food, makes them relatively easy to catch.

Sunfish Lakes In Montana

Panfish typically prefer water warmer than the typical Montana lakes and rivers, Dispite that you can find one or more species of panfish in many of the major lakes in MT, including Ashley Lake, Bighorn Lake, Canyon Ferry Lake, Clark Canyon Reservoir, Deadmans Basin Reservoir, Flathead Lake, Fort Peck Lake, Fresno Reservoir, Hauser Lake, Holter Lake, Lake Elwell/Tiber Reservoir, Lake Frances, Lake Helena, Lake Koocanusa, Nelson Reservoir, Noxon Reservoir, Placid Lake and Seeley Lake. They are also common in private ponds as they are a major food source for larger predator fish.

The Montana state record bluegill sunfish was caught from Petersons Stock Dam, Castle Rock Lake gave up the state record for green sunfish, Milnor Lake was home to the state record pumpkinseed sunfish and the stste record yellow perch came out of Ashley Lake.

Fishing for other Tiger Musky, Northern Pike, Sauger, Saugeye and Paddlefish in Montana.

Montana offers unique fishing opportunities.

Tiger Musky - Muskellunge
Esox lucius ~ Esox masquinongy
USA Record: 51.2 lbs.
The tiger muskellunge is a cross of the musky and northern pike. Male Tiger Muskellunge are most often sterile yet some females are fertile. Tiger muskies tend to be smaller than non-hybrid muskies but grow very fast. The body is often quite silvery with brownish fins and tail, without spots but displays broken vertical markings. Like their parent, they eat any fish they can catch and prefer to ambush their prey. They also eat crayfish, frogs and birds. Use large lures and stout line when fishing for tiger muskellunge. They will hit lures and fresh cut bait. They are known for their speed and are exceptionally strong for short runs.

Northern Pike
Esox Lucius
IFGA Record: 55.1 lbs
The northern pike is a valient fighter and prefers water temperatures from 58 to 70 degrees. Also known as jack, jackfish, great northern pike and pickerel. While they have been transplanted into most states with cold water, they are native to the northern states and are abundant in the north-eastern states. Northern pike are basically olive in color with white and/or yellow bellies. The northern pike has light-colored marking on a dark body whish is opposite that of their cousins the muskies.They are an ambushing predator that eats frogs, crayfish, birds and virtually any fish they can get into their mouth. Use spinners, fish-immitating lures, jerk-baits or cutbait and fish close to cover.

Sauger
Stizostedion canadense
World Record: 17.7 lbs.
Excellent eating fish which typically runs a bit smaller than its cousin the walleye. The sauger prefers cold and cloudy, moving water in the 60s to low 70s. They spawn in the low to mid 40s. You can tell them from a walleye by the dark spotting on the dorsal fin, darker coloring and the rough covering of the gill area. Due to their resembelance to pickerel, they are also known as gray pickerel spotfin pike, gray pike, river pike and others. When the water turns cold and other fish are hard to come by, this is the time to fish for sauger.Fish with jigs, spoons and crankbaits imitating crayfish or baitfish. Fish near the bottom and experiment with presentation action and speed.

Saugeye
A cross between sauger and walleye.
USA Record: 15.6 lbs.
This is a fast growing fish but does not get as big as the walleye. It successfully inhabits waters where the walleye has struggled. They prefers water temperatures from 65 to 75 degrees. Look for them near bottom on sandy bars and particularly along dropoffs and river channels. Use small crankbaits that resemble minnows, shad or small crappies. Fish is their primary food source.

Paddlefish
Polyodon spathula
World Record: Over 600 lbs.
If you didn't know what they were, you might think you caught a shark if you were to land a paddlefish. They have a powerful, sleek body and a tall, rear dorsal fin.
Prefers water temperatures from 50 to 70 degrees. Also known as spoonbill, spoonies, spadefish and shovelnose. They are filter-feeders so catching them with conventional tackle is out of the question. Most are taken with bow and arrow, spears or by snag-fishing with large treble hooks.
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