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Do You Need a Fishing License in Montana?
Yes. Anyone 12 or older needs a fishing license from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). Anglers also need a Conservation License before they can buy a fishing license — it is a one-time annual purchase.
Children under 12 fish free but count toward their parent's bag limit unless the child has a Youth Conservation License. Residents 62 and older qualify for discounted licenses.
Montana does not require a separate trout stamp, but some waters require an additional Paddlefish Tag, Yellowstone River Permit, or specific area validations.
How Much Does a Montana Fishing License Cost in 2026?
A resident annual fishing license costs $21. The required Conservation License is $8 for residents. Non-residents pay $86.50 for the annual fishing license plus $10 for the Conservation License.
Short-term non-resident options include a 2-day license ($25 plus $10 Conservation License) and a 10-day license ($56 plus $10). These are popular for guided Yellowstone-area trips.
Resident seniors (62+) pay $10.50 for the annual fishing license. Disabled residents qualify for free or reduced-rate licenses through FWP. A paddlefish tag is $7.50 for residents.
Where to Buy a Montana Fishing License
Buy online at fwp.mt.gov. Licenses issue instantly and store in the Montana FWP mobile app for offline digital display in remote areas with no cell service.
License agents include Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply, Sportsman's Warehouse, fly shops in Bozeman, Livingston, Missoula, and West Yellowstone, and most gas stations near major rivers.
FWP regional offices in Kalispell, Bozeman, Billings, Glasgow, Helena, and Miles City sell licenses in person. Phone purchases are available at 406-444-2950.
Montana Free Fishing Days 2026
Montana offers Free Fishing Weekend each June. In 2026, residents and non-residents can fish without a license on June 13-14. The Conservation License is also waived for these days.
All other regulations apply during free fishing weekend, including catch-and-release-only sections, gear restrictions, and Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout protections.
Free fishing weekend is popular on the Madison, Bitterroot, and Big Hole rivers, but expect crowds. Stillwater Reservoir, Canyon Ferry Lake, and Fort Peck Lake offer space for less-crowded options.
Montana Fishing Regulations You Need to Know
Standard daily limits are 5 trout (only 1 over 22 inches) statewide, though many blue ribbon streams have catch-and-release-only rules. The Madison from Lyons Bridge to Ennis Lake is catch-and-release for all trout.
Bull trout are catch-and-release only and possession is illegal statewide. Native westslope cutthroat in westslope range and Yellowstone cutthroat in their range also have special rules.
Walleye limits on Fort Peck Lake and Canyon Ferry are 5 daily with a 14.5-inch minimum. Northern pike limits vary by region. Always check the current Montana Fishing Regulations book before fishing a new water.
Best Fishing Spots in Montana
The Madison River is Montana's most famous trout stream, producing wild rainbows and browns from Hebgen Lake to Three Forks. The Big Hole, Beaverhead, and Bitterroot rivers offer equally strong dry-fly fishing.
The Missouri River below Holter Dam holds trophy browns and rainbows in a tailwater fishery that fishes well year-round. The Yellowstone River runs free through Paradise Valley with native Yellowstone cutthroat.
Fort Peck Lake is Montana's biggest reservoir, producing trophy walleye, lake trout, and chinook salmon. Flathead Lake holds trophy lake trout, and the South Fork of the Flathead is roadless wilderness cutthroat water.
Frequently Asked Questions
A resident annual license is $21 plus an $8 Conservation License. Non-residents pay $86.50 annually plus a $10 Conservation License, or $25 for 2 days.
Yes. Every angler must buy a Conservation License before purchasing a fishing license. It is $8 for residents and $10 for non-residents, valid annually.
Montana's 2026 free fishing weekend is June 13-14. No fishing license or Conservation License is required, but all regulations including catch-and-release rules apply.
Buy online at fwp.mt.gov, through the FWP mobile app, or at Murdoch's, Sportsman's Warehouse, and fly shops in Bozeman, Missoula, and West Yellowstone.
No. Bull trout are catch-and-release only statewide in Montana and possession is illegal. Westslope and Yellowstone cutthroat trout also have special protections.
Yes. Non-residents pay $86.50 annually plus a $10 Conservation License. Short-term options include $25 for 2 days or $56 for 10 days plus the Conservation License.