Montana fishing seasons

15 species profiles in our database list Montana waters among their fisheries — including Sauger, Common Carp, Channel Catfish, Rainbow Trout. Below: what's in season month by month, where to fish, and the licence source you need. Seasons shift year to year; the official agency has the final word.

Best months to fish in Montana

Months when the largest share of Montana's profiled species are in season, from our database. Full calendar: What's Biting.

Montana fishing calendar, month by month

Each month links to the species in season then, from our season windows. A month is charted when at least 3 species are in season.

Freshwater species in Montana

Species	Season
American Paddlefish	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Arctic Grayling	Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Bull Trout	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Channel Catfish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Common Carp	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Cutthroat Trout	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Emerald Shiner	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Goldeye	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Lake Whitefish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Longnose Dace	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Mooneye	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Mountain Whitefish	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Rainbow Trout	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov
Round Whitefish	Varies by watershed and local regulation
Sauger	Mar–Apr–May–Jun–Jul–Aug–Sep–Oct–Nov

Fishing in the West

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