Montana fishing regulations divide the state into three districts that have distinct trout limits. These Montana trout limits are outlined in the table below:
|
|
Western District |
Central District |
Eastern District |
|
Bull trout |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Cutthroat trout |
3 |
0 |
0 |
|
Brook trout |
20 |
20 |
10 |
|
Lake trout |
10 |
3 |
3 |
|
Combined trout (Rainbow, Brown, and Golden) |
5 |
5 |
5 |
In South Fork Flathead and the Bob Marshall Wilderness Areas in the Western District, the daily bag limit for combined trout species of rainbow, brown, and golden is three fish.
In this article, we will mention some rivers to fish for trout as well as review Montana’s 2022 fishing regulations and fishing season.
Montana Trout Rivers
There are a lot of great rivers to fish for trout in the state of Montana. Some of the best include the Big Hole River, Gallatin River, Madison River, Bighorn River, and Missouri River.
The Yellowstone River also boasts some of the biggest brown trout in the state. Although, the Marias River holds the state record for biggest brown trout in the state measuring a whopping 32 pounds and measuring 37 inches in length.
2022 Montana Fishing Regulations
All anglers over the age of eleven, whether resident or non-resident, must possess a valid Montana fishing license to fish in state waters. Anglers should check which district they are fishing in to confirm bag limits for the species they are targeting.
Cutthroat trout are prohibited from harvesting in Central and Eastern Districts. Bull trout are also prohibited from harvesting in the Western District.
For more information, check out the official website.
Montana Fishing Season 2022
Reservoirs and lakes in Montana are open for fishing year-round as are streams and rivers in the Eastern District. Streams and rivers in the Western and Central Districts open for fishing on May 21 and close on December 1.
Ready to grab your fishing license? Check out our article.
