Unlock the Great Outdoors
Why limit yourself to public land when there are millions of acres of private land to explore.
Fishing in Montana
Montana Fishing at a Glance
Fishing in Montana is an angler’s paradise. From the icy lakes of the high mountains to the teeming rivers packed with trout, there are fishing opportunities for everyone. Whether you’re seeking a tasty meal, an impressive catch to show your friends or just some peace and quiet, you can find it here.
When fishing in Montana, it’s important to remember that state regulations exist to protect the fish population and ensure everyone has equal opportunity. So make sure you have a valid statewide license before setting off, keep track of bag limits and size restrictions on caught fish, and always practice catch-and-release when required.
Rivers like the Bighorn boast salmon, bass and trout along with plenty of fly-fishing spots. Lake fishermen should head over to Flathead Lake where they’ll find pike, bass and trout among other species. The ponds around Yellowstone are fantastic for smallmouth fishing while streamers should seek out the Madison River for its diverse selection of fish including trout, salmon and bass as well as many fly-fishing spots.
Montana ranks #3 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita and has a good number of local fishing enthusiasts with over 38.61% of the population having fishing licenses.
Key Insights
- Montana offers diverse fishing opportunities for all types of anglers
- State regulations exist to protect fish population and ensure equal opportunity
- Valid statewide license, bag limits, and catch-and-release practices are important to follow
- The Bighorn river has salmon, bass, and trout; Flathead Lake has pike, bass, and trout; Yellowstone has smallmouth fishing, and Madison River has diverse fish selection and fly-fishing spots
- Montana ranks #3 in the U.S. for fishing licenses per capita
Table of Contents
Estimated Fishing Enthusiasts
| Population: | 1,084,225 |
|---|---|
| Fishing Enthusiasts | 418,640 |
| Fishing License % | 38.61% |
| Hunters Rank | 3 |
The state of Montana is mostly private land with 34.86% of acres considered public land -ranking #12 amongst all states.
Land Types (Acres)
| Acres | % | Rank | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total | 93,155,800 | ||
| Public | 32,473,220 | 34.86% | 12 |
| Private | 57,999,380 | 62.26% | 39 |
| Tribal | 2,683,200 | 2.88% | 8 |
Montana Fishing Licenses & Requirements
For the most accurate and updated information on fishing licenses and requirements, it’s always a good idea to check the Montana DNR. We’ve provided their contact information and other helpful information for your convenience here.
Montana DNR
1420 East Sixth Avenue
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620-0701
- (406) 444-2535
When it comes to river fish, you can’t go wrong with trout. Not only are they abundant in Montana’s rivers, but they offer a great fight and an opportunity for a trophy-sized catch. And if you’re looking for something a little different, salmon are another popular species to target due to their availability throughout the state as well as their reputation for being big. Bass fishermen will find plenty of challenges in both rivers and lakes, while catfish anglers get the chance to try something completely different from other types of fish. Finally, walleye are favorites among those wanting some real size on their hook – they can get exceptionally large! All these species offer something unique and make river fishing an exciting pastime in Montana.
Unlock the profits in your land
The hassle free way to monetize your acreage.
Unlock the Great Outdoors
We’re working with landowners all across Montana to provide private land access for more activities. Add your information below to stay up to date.
Fishing private land in Montana
Fishing on private land in Montana has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Montana or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.
1. Table Rock Lake
2. Bull Shoals Lake
3. Lake of the Ozarks
4. Truman Lake
5. Mark Twain Lake
Fishing private land in Montana
Fishing on private land in Montana has some real advantages over public lakes, rivers, streams, and ponds *if you can get access. For instance, there’s nothing like having a quiet lake all to yourself and oftentimes there are simply more fish available to catch, because they haven’t been fished out. There are generally more processes for access private land for hunting than fishing, though some similar methods exist. For instance, you can sometimes join a fishing club in Montana or if you have the money, it may be possible to rent some private land for fishing. Another option is to knock on doors or work your contacts in an area to see if a landowner would let you fish for the day or possibly be open to a longer term arrangement.
Fortunately Wing It is simplifying land access for fishing, hunting, camping, and more. We’re adding new land every day and if we have some in your area, you’ll see some great options below.