Montana Fishing License and Regulations
FWP license prices, general seasons, the three fishing districts and the 2026 booklet highlights.
Do I need a fishing license in Montana? Quick check
Yes, if you are 12 or older, resident or not. Answer three questions to check your own case.
From each state's license and regulations page on this site, which quotes the state wildlife agency's fishing guide (checked 15 Nov 2026). Special waters, trout, salmon and saltwater can need extra permits.
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Montana fishing license prices from FWP
A fishing license runs from March 1 through the end of February of the following year.
Anyone 11 or younger needs no license, Conservation License or AIS pass, but must observe all limits and regulations.
Resident: physically living in Montana 180 consecutive days before buying, per MCA 87-2-102 and 202.
Montana residents
| License or item | Term | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation License | license year | $8 |
| Conservation License (youth 12-17) | license year | $4 |
| Conservation License (senior 62+) | license year | $4 |
| Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP) | license year | $2 |
| Base Fishing License, Full Season | season | $21 |
| Base Fishing License, Full Season (youth 12-17) | season | $10.50 |
| Base Fishing License, Full Season (senior 62+) | season | $10.50 |
| Short-Term Resident Fishing License | 2 consecutive calendar days | $5 |
| Resident Person With a Disability: Conservation License | season | $8 |
| Resident Person With a Disability: Fishing License | season | $10.50 |
| Lifetime Fishing License for the Blind | lifetime | $10 |
| Paddlefish tag | per tag | $6.50 |
Nonresidents
| License or item | Term | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation License | license year | $10 |
| Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP) | license year | $7.50 |
| Base Fishing License, Full Season | season | $100 |
| 1 Day Nonresident Fishing License | 1 calendar day | $14 |
| Short-Term Nonresident Fishing License | 5 consecutive calendar days | $56 |
| Paddlefish tag | per tag | $15 |
| Nonresident Motorized Vessel Prevention Pass | calendar year (to Dec. 31) | $30 |
| Nonresident Non-Motorized Vessel Prevention Pass | calendar year (to Dec. 31) | $10 |
License prices as printed on the FWP fishing license page and in the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 12 (the two agree), read November 12, 2026.
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What Montana anglers pay in all, from the booklet's fee notes
A Montana angler of 12 or older buys three pieces: the Conservation License, the aquatic invasive species pass and a fishing license. The booklet adds them up for several age groups and terms.
Resident Sportsman and Nonresident Combination licenses include a season fishing license (prices not on the fishing license page: not collected).
| Angler | Term | Total |
|---|---|---|
| Resident 12-15 | 2 consecutive calendar days | $9 |
| Resident 12-15 | season | $14.50 |
| Resident 16-17, 62 and older | 2 consecutive calendar days | $11 |
| Resident 16-17, 62 and older | season | $16.50 |
| Resident Disabled 18-61 | season | $20.50 |
| Resident 18-61 | 2 consecutive calendar days | $15 |
| Resident 18-61 | season | $31 |
| Nonresident 12-15 | 1 calendar day | $24 |
| Nonresident 12-15 | 5 consecutive calendar days | $66 |
| Nonresident 12-15 | season | $110 |
| Nonresident 16 and older | 1 calendar day | $31.50 |
| Nonresident 16 and older | 5 consecutive calendar days | $73.50 |
| Nonresident 16 and older | season | $117.50 |
License prices as printed on the FWP fishing license page and in the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 12 (the two agree), read November 12, 2026.
Montana fishing seasons by district and water type
The rules here are from the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, valid March 1, 2026 through the end of February 2027; FWP had published no 2027 booklet when this was checked.
FWP divides Montana into three fishing districts (Western, Central, Eastern); each has standard regulations plus water-specific Exceptions to Standard Regulations, which replace the standard items they list. The districts are FWP's own and may be printed.
| District | Rivers and streams | Lakes and reservoirs |
|---|---|---|
| Western | Open third Saturday in May through Nov. 30, unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations. | Open all year. |
| Central | Open all year unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations. | Open all year. |
| Eastern | Open all year unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations. | Open all year. |
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 4 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Possession, unlisted species and hours on Montana water
Anglers who move from one fishing water to another may possess the limit of fish allowed only for the water on which they are currently fishing (Western District standard page; quoted as printed).
For species not listed in a district chart, there are no limits on the number of fish that may be taken or possessed (as printed on each district chart page).
Fishing is allowed at all hours during open fishing seasons unless otherwise specified in District Exceptions to Standard Regulations.
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 23 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Standard limits and exception waters for each Montana district
- Western Districtchart rows, season and exception waters west of the Divide
- Central Districtchart rows, season and exception waters in central Montana
- Eastern Districtchart rows, season and exception waters on the plains
- Reservation and national park waterswhere other rule books apply too
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 4 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Bull trout, paddlefish and 2026 highlights in the Montana booklet
All waters are closed to angling for bull trout unless authorized in the Western District Exceptions (Lake Koocanusa, Hungry Horse Reservoir and part of the South Fork Flathead River open with a free Catch Card); see the separate 2026 Bull Trout Regulations.
Paddlefish tag required (resident $6.50, nonresident $15); separate 2026 Paddlefish Regulations.
Red Rock Creek (Beaverhead River drainage): closed year-round from Elk Lake Road to Upper Red Rock Lake; upstream of Elk Lake Road artificial lures only, closed May 1 to June 14. Paddlefish: electronic and paper tags replace plastic tags (regulations page).
Emergency regulations and closures are posted on fwp.mt.gov and at access sites; not collected here.
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 13 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Montana free fishing weekends under state law
By Montana law, each year on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day weekends any person (resident or nonresident) may fish for any fish within this state without obtaining a Fishing License as long as they abide by the seasons, restrictions, and bag limits listed in these Fishing Regulations. The two exceptions to this are paddlefish and bull trout fishing, both of which require the purchase of a Conservation, Fishing, and AIS Prevention Licenses. Fishing for paddlefish also requires a paddlefish tag. A catch card is required to fish for bull trout.
The 2026 weekends were May 9-10, 2026 (Mother’s Day weekend) and June 20-21, 2026 (Father’s Day weekend).
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 13 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Montana license and rules, answered
What does a Montana fishing license cost?
Anglers 12 and older buy a Conservation License, an aquatic invasive species pass and a fishing license; the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations prints $8, $2 and $21 for a resident full season and $10, $7.50 and $100 for a nonresident.
When does a Montana license year run?
A fishing license runs from March 1 through the end of February of the following year.
Do children need a Montana fishing license?
Anyone 11 or younger needs no license, Conservation License or AIS pass, but must observe all limits and regulations.
Who counts as a Montana resident?
Resident: physically living in Montana 180 consecutive days before buying, per MCA 87-2-102 and 202.
Which Montana booklet applies now?
The rules here are from the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, valid March 1, 2026 through the end of February 2027; FWP had published no 2027 booklet when this was checked.
What are the general seasons?
Rivers and streams and lakes and reservoirs have separate general seasons in each district; the season table above shows them as printed.
How many fish may I possess when I change waters?
Anglers who move from one fishing water to another may possess the limit of fish allowed only for the water on which they are currently fishing (Western District standard page; quoted as printed).
Can I fish at night in Montana?
Fishing is allowed at all hours during open fishing seasons unless otherwise specified in District Exceptions to Standard Regulations.