Montana reference
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Western District Fishing Limits
FWP's Western fishing district: standard chart limits, general seasons and every exception water printed in the 2026 booklet.
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Western District
How FWP's Western fishing district sets its standard limits
Booklet in force: the 2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, good from March 1, 2026 to the last day of February 2027, with no 2027 edition out at the time of reading. FWP splits the state into Western, Central and Eastern fishing districts, and each carries its own chart and its own list of named-water exceptions.
Streams in the Western District: Open third Saturday in May through Nov. 30, unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations. Lakes and reservoirs: Open all year.
14chart rows
120exception headings
45with a water page here
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 4 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Photo of Great Falls: V Smoothe, CC BY 2.0
Chart rows
Western District standard limits, as the booklet prints them
A fish absent from this district chart has no printed cap on how many may be caught or held.
| Chart row as printed | Limit as printed |
|---|---|
| Brook Trout | 20 daily and in possession. |
| Bull Trout | All waters are closed to angling for bull trout and all fish must be released, with no delay unless otherwise authorized in the Western District Exceptions. See bull trout on page 13. Note: Federal rules prohibit the attempted take of bull trout unless specifically authorized by state or tribal regulation. |
| Combined Trout includes brown trout, rainbow trout, golden trout, and arctic grayling | Lakes/Reservoirs: 5 daily and 10 in possession, only 1 over 22 inches daily and in possession. Rivers/Streams: 3 daily and in possession, only 1 over 14 inches. |
| Cutthroat Trout | Lakes/Reservoirs: 3 daily and in possession, no size limit. Rivers/Streams: 3 daily and in possession, none over 12 inches. |
| Lake Trout | 20 daily and 40 in possession. |
| Largemouth Bass | 5 daily and in possession, only 1 greater than 12 inches. Third Saturday in May through June 30: 1 daily and in possession, must be over 22 inches. |
| Smallmouth Bass | 15 daily and in possession, no size limit all year. |
| Burbot (Ling) | 2 daily and in possession. |
| Crappie | No limit. |
| Kokanee Salmon | 20 daily and 40 in possession. |
| Northern Pike | 15 daily, no possession limit. All waters are open for spearing through the ice and in open water by a person swimming or submerged or as otherwise noted in District Exceptions. |
| Sturgeon | 0 – All waters are closed to angling for sturgeon. Captured sturgeon must be released immediately. |
| Whitefish | 20 daily and 40 in possession. |
| Walleye | All walleye caught must be killed immediately, kept and the entire fish presented to FWP. Anglers who catch walleye in the Western Fishing District are required to report the catch to FWP within 24 hours (406-7525501). Anglers will be asked to provide location, date, and time of capture and may be asked to provide their full name, ALS number, and phone number. Anglers are required to present the whole Walleye to a FWP office within 10 days of capture (frozen is allowed) during regular business hours. Edible portions of the fish are returned to the angler upon request. Does not include Clark Fork Reservoirs downstream of Thompson Falls Dam, see Exceptions for the Clark Fork River (page 29). |
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 23 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Exceptions
Every Western District exception water, with its rule lines
For the water named in each heading, its lines stand in for the chart rows they cover; a name links out when this site has a page for the water.
| Water as printed | Rule lines (first lines) | Booklet page |
|---|---|---|
| (Kootenai River drainage including West Fork) | Open third Saturday in May through Aug. 15. | page 39 |
| (Middle Fork Flathead River drainage) | Closed entire year. LONG CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES (Middle Fork Flathead River drainage) ––: Closed entire year. | page 37 |
| (Middle Fork Flathead River drainage) | Closed entire year. | page 38 |
| Alice Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. | page 24 |
| Anaconda Settling Pond System | See Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area. | page 24 |
| Ashley Lake | Entire lake: Salmon: 35 daily and 70 in possession. Inlet tributaries: Closed entire year. | page 24 |
| Bear Creek (tributary to Middle Fork Flathead River) | Angling is closed within 150-yard radius of the stream mouth June 1 through Sept. 30. | page 24 |
| Beaver Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. | page 24 |
| Belmont Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Artificial lures only within 100-yard radius of mouth. | page 24 |
| Big Salmon Creek | Closed to all angling within a 300-yard radius around the inlet (where the creek enters the lake) of Big Salmon Lake. | page 24 |
| Big Salmon Lake | Closed to all angling within a 300-yard radius around the inlet (where the creek enters the lake) of Big Salmon Lake. | page 24 |
| Bitterroot Lake (see Little Bitterroot Lake) | page 24 | |
| Bitterroot River (note: river flows south to north) | The ENTIRE Bitterroot River to include the East Fork (downstream from Star Falls) and the West Fork (downstream from Painted Rocks Dam) to the mouth of the river near Missoula. During the Extended Season (Dec. 1 to the third Saturday in May): Extended season for northern pike and whitefish and catch-and-release for all trout open Dec. 1 to third Saturday in May. The ENTIRE Bitterroot River to include the East Fork (d | page 24 |
| Blackfoot River And Tributaries | Mainstem and all tributaries except the Clearwater River. During the General Season (third Saturday in May through Nov. 30): Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Mainstem and all tributaries except the Clearwater River. During the General Season (third Saturday in May through Nov. 30): Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches long, any size brown trout. (See Clearwater River Dr | page 28 |
| Blanchard Lake (near Whitefish) | Largemouth Bass: 1 daily and in possession, must be over 22 inches. | page 28 |
| Bootjack Lake (near Whitefish) | Combined trout: 1 daily and in possession, 22 inch minimum. Artificial lures only. | page 28 |
| Bull River | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 28 |
| Cabinet Gorge Reservoir | (See Clark Fork River Mouth of Thompson River to Idaho Border) | page 28 |
| Cedar Creek (tributary to Clark Fork River) | Artificial lures only, including within a 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 28 |
| Chamberlain Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. | page 28 |
| Cibid Lake | Combined trout: 4 under 12 inches and only 1 over 22 inches daily and in possession. | page 28 |
| Clark Fork River | Upstream from Perkins Lane Bridge, near Warm Springs: Open entire year. Upstream from Perkins Lane Bridge, near Warm Springs: Catch-and-release only. Upstream from Perkins Lane Bridge, near Warm Springs: Artificial lures only. | page 29 |
| Copper Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Artificial lures only, including within a 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 30 |
| Copper Mountain Park Pond (in Butte) | Open to fishing for anglers 14 years of age or younger and senior citizens 62 years of age or older. One rod per angler. One trout daily and in possession. | page 30 |
| Cottonwood Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. | page 30 |
| Daly Creek (tributary to Skalkaho Creek) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 31 |
| Dry Creek (tributary to Clark Fork River) | Artificial lures only within 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 31 |
| Dunham Creek (tributary to Monture Creek, Blackfoot drainage) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Artificial lures only. | page 31 |
| East Fork Bitterroot River Downstream From Star Falls | Catch-and-release for rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. Brown trout: 3 daily and in possession. Extended season for northern pike and whitefish and catch-and-release for trout open Dec. 1 to third Saturday in May with aquatic insects, maggots and/or artificial lures only. | page 31 |
| East Fork Reservoir | Cutthroat trout: 2 daily and in possession, only 1 over 14 inches. | page 31 |
| Echo Lake (near Anaconda) | Combined trout: 5 daily and in possession with only one fish over 14-inches, includes brook trout. | page 31 |
| Elk Creek (tributary to Swan River) | Closed entire year. | page 31 |
| Emily Springs (tributary to Georgetown Lake) | Closed entire year. | page 31 |
| Fish Creek And Tributaries (Clark Fork River drainage) | Entire drainage: Artificial lures only, including within a 100-yard radius of the mouth. Mainstem downstream of the confluence of the South and West forks: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Mainstem downstream of the confluence of the South and West forks: Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. | page 31 |
| Fishtrap Creek And Tributaries (Thompson River drainage) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 31 |
| Flathead Lake | Flathead Lake north of Flathead Indian Reservation boundary: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Flathead Lake north of Flathead Indian Reservation boundary: Lake trout: 100 daily and in possession, only 1 over 36 inches, and all fish 30 to 36 inches must be released. Flathead Lake north of Flathead Indian Reservation boundary: Yellow perch: no limit, only 10 daily over 10 inches. No possession limit. | page 31 |
| Flathead River | From the confluence of North and Middle Forks to Flathead Lake: Hooks/lures must have single points, no double or treble hooks. From the confluence of North and Middle Forks to Flathead Lake: Open entire year. From the confluence of North and Middle Forks to Flathead Lake: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 32 |
| Flathead River Sloughs | Brenneman, Church, Egan, Fennon, Half Moon, McWennegar, Mill, and Rose Creek: Open entire year. Brenneman, Church, Egan, Fennon, Half Moon, McWennegar, Mill, and Rose Creek: Rainbow trout: 5 daily and in possession. Brenneman, Church, Egan, Fennon, Half Moon, McWennegar, Mill, and Rose Creek: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 33 |
| Flint Creek | Downstream from Georgetown Lake: Extended season for whitefish and catch-and-release for trout open Dec. 1 to third Saturday in May with artificial lures and/or maggots only. | page 33 |
| Fred Burr Lake (Granite County) | Philipsburg water supply: Closed entire year. | page 33 |
| Frenchtown Pond | Catch-and-release for bass. | page 33 |
| Georgetown Lake | Open third Saturday in May through March 31, except for the South and East shoreline area which is only open July 1 through March 31. South and East shoreline areas described as follows: all waters from the shore or within 100 yards of shore in the area extending from a point 200 yards west of Lakeside at Georgetown Marina (along the shore, including all of Stuart Mill Bay) to a point 200 yards north from the mouth o | page 33 |
| German Gulch | Mainstem and tributaries: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout | page 34 |
| Goat Creek (tributary to Swan River) | Closed entire year. | page 34 |
| Gold Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Artificial lures only, within 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 34 |
| Handkerchief Lake | Catch-and-release for arctic grayling. | page 34 |
| Heironymous Pond | Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, includes cutthroat trout and brook trout. | page 34 |
| Herrig Creek (tributary to Little Bitterroot Lake) | Closed entire year. | page 34 |
| Holland Creek | Mouth on Holland Lake upstream to the Falls: Closed entire year. | page 34 |
| Horseshoe Lake (Thompson Chain of Lakes) | Tiger muskie : 1 daily and in possession, must be over 40 inches. There are no northern pike in the lake. No spearing. | page 34 |
| Horseshoe Lake (near Ferndale) | Catch-and-release for bass. | page 34 |
| Hungry Horse Reservoir | Dam to Crossover Boat Ramp: Bull trout: 1 fish per license year from the third Saturday in May through Aug. 15, Catch-and-release the rest of the year with a Hungry Horse/ South Fork Flathead permit validation on Fishing License. A Hungry Horse/South Fork Flathead Bull Trout Catch Card must be in possession when fishing for bull trout. See bull trout page 13. Bull trout must be released with no delay or be killed and | page 34 |
| Hungry Horse Reservoir Tributaries | See South Fork Flathead River Drainage regulations. | page 34 |
| Job Corps Ponds (Deer Lodge County) | Open Aug. 15 through Sept. 30. Catch-and-release only. Artificial lures only. | page 35 |
| Keeler Creek And Tributaries | Open third Saturday in May through July 15. | page 35 |
| Kootenai River | Libby Dam to Idaho Border: Bull trout: As per the District Standard Regulations, the Kootenai River is closed to angling for bull trout; any bull trout caught must be released, with no delay. Libby Dam to Idaho Border: Brown trout: No limit. All brown trout caught between Libby Dam and Kootenai Falls must be killed immediately, kept, and the entire fish presented to FWP. Anglers who catch brown trout upstream of Koot | page 35 |
| Lake Alva | Kokanee salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. Northern pike: no limit. Spearing: open for northern pike. | page 35 |
| Lake Creek (near Troy) | Open to fishing all year, except 150-yards upstream of Keeler Creek to Chase Cutoff Bridge: Closed to angling from July 15 through Oct. 31. Brown trout: no limit. Snagging: Downstream of Troy Dam open for kokanee salmon from Sept. 15 through Nov. 30. | page 35 |
| Lake Inez | Kokanee salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. Northern pike: no limit. Spearing: open for northern pike. | page 36 |
| Lake Koocanusa | Bull trout: Catch-and-release only (all bull trout must be released with no delay). A Lake Koocanusa bull trout Catch Card must be in possession when fishing for bull trout. See bull trout page 13. It is unlawful to possess a live bull trout for any reason. Kokanee salmon: 50 daily and 100 in possession. | page 36 |
| Lake Mary Ronan | Kokanee salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. | page 36 |
| Landers Fork (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Downstream from Silver King Falls: Artificial lures only, including within 100-yards of the mouth. | page 37 |
| Lion Creek (tributary to Swan River) | Closed entire year. | page 37 |
| Little Blackfoot River And Tributaries | Mainstem River: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Mainstem River: Extended whitefish season and catch-and-release for trout open Dec. 1 to third Saturday in May with artificial lures and/or maggots only. Tributaries: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 37 |
| Lost Lake (near Eureka) | Combined trout: 1 daily and in possession, 22-inch minimum. Artificial lures only. | page 37 |
| Lower Stillwater Lake | Yellow perch: no limit, only 10 daily over 10 inches. No possession limit. | page 37 |
| Lower Thompson Lake | Salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. | page 37 |
| Marshall Creek (tributary to West Fork Clearwater River) | Artificial lures only. | page 37 |
| Medicine Lake And Tributaries (near Philipsburg) | Medicine Lake: Open July 1 through April 30. Tributaries to Medicine Lake: Open July 1 through Nov. 30. | page 37 |
| Middle Fork Flathead River | Middle Fork Flathead River including headwaters to confluence with North Fork Flathead River (near Blankenship Bridge): Hooks/lures must have single points, no double or treble hooks. Non-wilderness portion: Closed to angling June 1 through Sept. 30 within a 150-yard radius of the Bear Creek stream mouth. Non-wilderness portion: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 38 |
| Middle Thompson Lake | Salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. | page 38 |
| Mill Creek (tributary to Clark Fork River) | Downstream from the Stewart Street Bridge in Opportunity: Catch-and-release only. Downstream from the Stewart Street Bridge in Opportunity: Artificial lures only. | page 38 |
| Monture Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Artificial lures only, including within 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 38 |
| Morrell Creek And Tributaries (tributary to Clearwater River) | Entire drainage: Artificial lures only. Mainstem from Cottonwood Lakes Road (USFS Rd 477) bridge upstream to Pyramid Pass Road (USFS Rd 4381) bridge: Closed entire year. | page 38 |
| McCORMICK Pond aka Silver’s Lagoon (Missoula) | Open to fishing for anglers 14 years of age or younger, holders of a “Resident with a Disability Conservation License” and holders of a “Permit to Hunt from a Vehicle” with the proper prerequisite Fishing License. One rod per angler. Open April 1 through Oct. 30. Combined trout, including cutthroat trout: 1 fish daily and in possession. | page 37 |
| McGREGOR Lake | Crayfish: 20 daily and in possession; females with egg clusters or attached juveniles must be released. | page 37 |
| Nevada Creek (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. | page 38 |
| North Fork Blackfoot River (tributary to Blackfoot River) | Downstream from the North Fork Falls: Artificial lures only, including within a 100-yard radius of the mouth. From North Fork Falls downstream to Highway 200 bridge: Artificial lures with single point barbless hooks only. Entire river: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 38 |
| North Fork Flathead River | North Fork Flathead River including headwaters to confluence with Middle Fork Flathead River (near Blankenship Bridge): Single-pointed hooks only. See page 5 for description. North Fork Flathead River including headwaters to confluence with Middle Fork Flathead River (near Blankenship Bridge): Closed to angling June 1 through Sept. 30 within a 150-yard radius of the Big Creek stream mouth unless posted at a greater d | page 39 |
| North Fork Flint Creek (tributary to Georgetown Lake) | Open July 1 through Nov. 30. Catch-and-release for brook trout. | page 39 |
| Noxon Rapids Reservoir | Birdland Bay Bridge to Noxon Rapids Dam: (See Clark Fork River Mouth of Thompson River to Idaho Border) | page 39 |
| Petty Creek (tributary to Clark Fork River) | Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Artificial lures only within 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 39 |
| Placid Creek (tributary to Placid Lake) | Snagging: open for kokanee salmon Oct. 15 through Dec. 31; 20 daily and 40 in possession. | page 39 |
| Placid Lake | Catch-and-release for largemouth bass. Kokanee salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. Snagging: open for kokanee salmon Oct. 15 through Dec. 31; 20 daily and 40 in possession. | page 39 |
| Racetrack Pond | Catch-and-release for trout, except anglers 14 years of age or younger may take 3 combined trout, including cutthroat trout, daily and in possession. Artificial lures only, except anglers 14 years of age or younger may use bait. | page 39 |
| Rattlesnake Creek And Tributaries (near Missoula) | Entire Creek: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Entire Creek: Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Entire Creek: Artificial lures only, including within 100-yard radius of mouth. | page 40 |
| Rock Creek (near Missoula) | From the confluence of the Middle and West forks, near Philipsburg, to the mouth: Combined trout: 3 brown trout daily and in possession. Catch-and- release for rainbow trout and cutthroat trout. From the confluence of the Middle and West forks, near Philipsburg, to the mouth: Artificial lures only, except anglers 14 years of age or younger may use bait during the general season. From the confluence of the Middle and | page 40 |
| Salmon Lake | Kokanee salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. Northern pike: no limit. Spearing: open for northern pike. | page 40 |
| Seeley Lake | Kokanee salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. Bass: no daily or possession limit for entire year. Northern pike: no limit. | page 40 |
| Silver Bow Creek And Tributaries | Mainstem and Tributaries: Artificial lures only in Silver Bow Creek and German Gulch. Mainstem and Tributaries: Blacktail Creek is open all year from its mouth near Montana Street in Butte, upstream to Four Mile Road crossing. Mainstem and Tributaries: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 40 |
| Silver Lake (near Anaconda) | Closed to fishing July 1 through Sept. 30 within a 50-yard radius of the mouth of Storm Lake Creek. | page 40 |
| Silver’S Lagoon aka McCormick Pond (Missoula) | Open to fishing for anglers 14 years of age or younger, holders of a “Resident with a Disability Conservation License” and holders of a “Permit to Hunt from a Vehicle” with the proper prerequisite Fishing License. One rod per angler. Open April 1 through Oct. 30. Combined trout, including cutthroat trout: 1 fish daily and in possession. | page 40 |
| Skalkaho Creek (tributary to Bitterroot River) | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout, includes Daly Creek. | page 40 |
| Skyline Pond (in Butte) | Open to fishing for anglers 14 years of age or younger. One rod per child. 1 trout daily and in possession. | page 41 |
| Smith Lake (near Kalispell) | Yellow perch: no limit, only 10 daily over 10 inches. No possession limit. | page 41 |
| Snowbank Creek (tributary to Copper Creek, Blackfoot Drainage) | Artificial lures only. Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 41 |
| South Fork Flathead River | River including headwaters and tributaries from the confluence of Youngs and Danaher Creeks downstream to Crossover Boat Ramp: Hooks/lures must have single points only, no double or treble hooks. River including headwaters and tributaries from the confluence of Youngs and Danaher Creeks downstream to Crossover Boat Ramp: Closed to all angling from the mouths of Gordon Creek and Little Salmon Creek downstream 300 yard | page 41 |
| Squeezer Creek (tributary to Swan River) | Closed entire year. | page 41 |
| St Regis Community Park Pond | Open to fishing for anglers 14 years of age or younger; one rod per child. Combined trout, including cutthroat trout: 1 fish daily and in possession. | page 41 |
| St Regis River | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Combined trout: 3 daily and in possession, Only 1 rainbow trout over 14 inches, any size brown trout. Artificial lures only within 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 41 |
| Stillwater River And Tributaries (Flathead River drainage) | Open entire year from mouth of Sunday Creek to confluence with Flathead River. | page 41 |
| Storm Lake Creek (tributary to Silver Lake near Anaconda) | Closed to fishing July 1 through Sept. 30 from the Silver Lake diversion structure located near the stream mouth down to where the stream enters Silver Lake. | page 41 |
| Stuart Mill Creek (tributary to Georgetown Lake) | Open July 1 through Nov. 30. Catch-and-release for brook trout. | page 42 |
| Swan River | Catch-and-release for cutthroat and rainbow trout. Closed to angling June 1 through Sept. 30 within a 300-yard radius of the Woodward Creek and Lion Creek stream mouths, unless posted at a greater distance. Piper Creek Bridge downstream to Swan Lake: Artificial lures only. | page 42 |
| Tally Lake | Lake trout: 1 daily and in possession, must be over 42 inches. | page 42 |
| Thompson Falls Reservoir | (See Clark Fork River Mouth of Thompson River to Idaho Border) | page 42 |
| Thompson River | Entire river: Open to fishing entire year. Entire river: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Entire river: Brown trout: 3 daily and in possession, any size. | page 42 |
| Tobacco River | Snagging: open for kokanee salmon Sept. 15 through Nov. 30. Kokanee salmon: 20 daily and 40 in possession. TRAIL CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES (Yakinikak, N. Fork Flathead River drainage): Closed entire year downstream from mouth of Thoma Creek. | page 42 |
| Trout Creek (tributary to Clark Fork River) | Artifical lures only within 100-yard radius of the mouth. | page 42 |
| Upper Thompson Lake | Kokanee salmon: 10 daily and 20 in possession. | page 42 |
| Upsata Lake | Catch-and-release for bass. Northern pike: no limit. Spearing: open for northern pike. | page 42 |
| Vermillion River And Tributaries | Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. | page 42 |
| Warm Springs Creek (near Anaconda) | Upstream of Myers Dam: Open from the third Saturday in May through Nov. 30. Myers Dam to Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Open from the third Saturday in May through Nov. 30 except for the section from Myers Dam downstream 50 yards which is closed to fishing July 1 through Sept. 30. Myers Dam to Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Extended season: catch-and-release for trout Dec. 1 to third Satur | page 44 |
| Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) | All waters: All ponds and canals open Aug. 15 through Sept. 30 including Job Corps Ponds and Ducks Unlimited Ponds. All waters: Catch-and-release only. (See Kid’s Pond and Gravel Pit Pond for exceptions.) All waters: Artificial lures only. (See Kid’s Pond and Gravel Pit Pond for exceptions.) | page 44 |
| West Fork Clearwater River And Tributaries | Entire drainage: Artificial lures only. West Fork Clearwater River upstream of confluence with Marshall Creek: Closed entire year. | page 45 |
| West Fork Thompson River And Tributaries | Artificial lures only. Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. WHALE CREEK AND TRIBUTARIES (North Fork Flathead River drainage) –: Closed entire year downstream from Whale Creek Falls. | page 45 |
| Whitefish River | Open entire year from Whitefish Lake to confluence with Stillwater River. | page 45 |
| Woodward Creek | Closed entire year. The Central Fishing District includes all waters in Montana east of the Continental Divide, (including the Belly and St Mary’s River drainages) and Central District Exceptions to the Standard Regulations Methods of Taking Fish Hook and Line Limits Open Water Rivers and Streams Lakes and Reservoirs Ice Fishing Lakes and Reservoirs Shelters: Bait Regulations: Collection Locations: Nongame fish for u | page 45 |
| and Blue Sky Creek) | Upstream of Highway 93 bridge: Open third Saturday in May through Aug. 15. Downstream of Highway 93 to mouth: Snagging: open for kokanee salmon from Sept. 15 through Nov. 30. Downstream of Highway 93 to mouth: Kokanee salmon: 20 daily and 40 in possession. | page 34 |
| for individual lakes elsewhere) | Clearwater River upstream from the Salmon Lake inlet and all tributaries of the Clearwater River except the West Fork and Marshall Creek: Closed to fishing from Rainey Lake fish barrier downstream for 100 yards. Clearwater River upstream from the Salmon Lake inlet and all tributaries of the Clearwater River except the West Fork and Marshall Creek: Catch-and-release for cutthroat trout. Clearwater River upstream from | page 30 |
2026 Montana Fishing Regulations, p. 39 (valid March 1, 2026 through February 28, 2027; FWP PDF), read November 12, 2026.
Water pages
Montana waters here that FWP places in the Western District
- Flathead Lake122,885 acres
- Lake Koocanusa28,723 acres
- Hungry Horse Reservoir23,577 acres
- Noxon Rapids Reservoir7,592 acres
- Whitefish Lake3,315 acres
- Swan Lake (Lake County)3,269 acres
- Little Bitterroot Lake2,970 acres
- Ashley Lake2,850 acres
- Cabinet Gorge Reservoir2,848 acres
- Georgetown Lake2,818 acres
- Pablo Reservoir1,650 acres
- McGregor Lake1,522 acres
- Lake Mary Ronan1,513 acres
- Placid Lake1,212 acres
- Tally Lake1,211 acres
- Ninepipe Reservoir1,203 acres
- Bull Lake (Lincoln County, about 1,162 acres)1,162 acres
- Seeley Lake1,031 acres
- Big Salmon Lake972 acres
- Thompson Falls Reservoir969 acres
- Lake Como911 acres
- Lindbergh Lake815 acres
- Echo Lake (Flathead County)695 acres
- Kicking Horse Reservoir657 acres
- Bitterroot RiverMissoula and Ravalli counties
- Blackfoot RiverLewis and Clark County and 2 other counties
- Clark Fork RiverDeer Lodge County and 5 other counties
- Clearwater RiverMissoula County
- East Fork Bitterroot RiverRavalli County
- Fish CreekMineral County
- Flathead RiverFlathead County and 2 other counties
- Kootenai RiverLincoln County
- Little Blackfoot RiverPowell County
- Middle Fork Flathead RiverFlathead County
- Monture CreekPowell County
- North Fork Flathead RiverFlathead County
- South Fork Flathead RiverFlathead and Powell counties
- Swan RiverFlathead County and 2 other counties
- Thompson RiverFlathead County and 2 other counties
- Tobacco RiverLincoln County
- West Fork Clearwater RiverMissoula County
- Whitefish RiverFlathead County
Montana FWP Lakes reference layer (ArcGIS service) and the MFISH fish distribution layers, read November 12, 2026.
Answers
Western District rules, answered
What is the Western District?
The Western District is the part of the state FWP groups under that name, with its chart and exception waters below.
When does stream fishing open in the Western District?
Open third Saturday in May through Nov. 30, unless otherwise specified in Exceptions to Standard Regulations.
When can I fish lakes in the Western District?
Open all year.
How many exception waters does the Western District list?
120 headings printed in the 2026 booklet, all quoted here.
Does an exception override the chart?
It does for the items it names; the rest of the chart still holds.
My water is not listed under exceptions: now what?
Go to the chart row for your fish; a fish the chart omits has no cap unless an exception says so.
How long is the Western District chart?
14 rows in the Western District chart.
Where are the other districts?
See the Central District and Eastern District pages.