Montana fishing

News-desk briefs whose primary water is Montana.

Laws & Licensing MTNews deskSeptember 23, 2026
Big Hole Section 5 drought closure lifted after weekend rain
Montana FWP lifted the Big Hole River Section 5 angling closure on Sept. 22 after weekend rain improved flows. Section 1 stays closed, and the Dickie Bridge-to-Jefferson spawning closure starts Oct. 1.
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US Fishing MTNews deskSeptember 17, 2026
Missouri River at Craig: early-fall nymphs, ants, and October caddis
Yellow Dog’s Sept. 16 Missouri River report via Montana Outdoor: mornings are the main event around Craig, nymphs are leading, ants and hoppers still work, Callibaetis is in the mix, and jumbo October caddis is starting on low, weedy, steady flows.
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US Fishing MTNews deskSeptember 14, 2026
FWP proposes Flathead brown-trout catch-and-kill order ahead of Oct. 14 commission
Jules Lingenfelter in the Flathead Beacon (Sept. 14): Montana FWP wants an emergency catch-and-kill rule for brown trout in Flathead Lake and waters upstream after confirmed fish at Ashley Lake and likely reports at Church Slough. Comment through Sept. 24; commission Oct. 14.
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US Fishing MTNews deskSeptember 11, 2026
Montana FWP lifts some Madison and Beaverhead hoot-owl hours as water cools
Fish, Wildlife & Parks lifted afternoon fishing bans on parts of the Madison and Beaverhead in early September 2026, while drought closures and remaining 2 p.m.–midnight hoot-owl stretches stay on the live restriction page.
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