FishingLicenseCheck

Montana fishing license

Montana requires a recreational fishing license from age 12. The state licenses freshwater fishing. The current license year is 2026 (March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027).

Source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks · Reviewed July 30, 2026

Your trip in Montana

Special circumstances that can change the answer

Your likely official license

Yes — a licence is required. For a 1-day non-resident freshwater trip in Montana, the official match is Nonresident 1 Day Fishing Licence.

Published cost for this trip$31.50
  • Nonresident 1 Day Fishing Licence$14 · One-day nonresident fishing licence.

What it covers

  • Nonresident 1 Day Fishing Licence — freshwater. Licence fee only. A Conservation Licence ($10) and the Angler AIS Prevention Pass ($7.50, ages 16+) must be bought in addition. FWP's 2026 fee table shows a $31.50 total.

Required add-ons

  • Montana Conservation Licence — nonresident — A Conservation License is needed before you can buy any fishing or hunting license, and is required of every person aged 12 years and older using a fishing access site for any reason. · $10
  • Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP) — nonresident — Required with your purchase of a fishing licence for nonresidents aged 16 and over who fish in Montana. There is no fee for youth 15 and younger. · $7.50

You may also need

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks publishes these for the water you selected. Whether one applies depends on what you fish for and where — something this tool does not ask.

  • Montana Conservation Licence — resident ages 18–61 — A Conservation License is needed before you can buy any fishing or hunting license, and is required of every person aged 12 years and older using a fishing access site for any reason. · $8
  • Montana Conservation Licence — resident youth 12–17 and seniors 62+ — A Conservation License is needed before you can buy any fishing or hunting license, and is required of every person aged 12 years and older using a fishing access site for any reason. · $4
  • Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP) — resident — Required with your purchase of a fishing licence for residents aged 16 and over who fish in Montana. There is no fee for youth 15 and younger. · $2
  • Paddlefish Tag — resident — All anglers must purchase a paddlefish tag (e-tag or paper) to fish for paddlefish, in addition to a valid Conservation Licence, AIS Prevention Pass and Fishing Licence. Limit of one paddlefish tag (one fish) per person. · $6.50
  • Paddlefish Tag — nonresident — All anglers must purchase a paddlefish tag (e-tag or paper) to fish for paddlefish, in addition to a valid Conservation Licence, AIS Prevention Pass and Fishing Licence. Limit of one paddlefish tag (one fish) per person. · $15
  • Bull Trout Catch Card — Required in possession when fishing for bull trout in the three designated waters (Lake Koocanusa, or Hungry Horse Reservoir and part of the South Fork Flathead River). Anglers may select only one area. · No charge (a report card, not a paid stamp)

Why this answer

  1. You selected non-resident status, age 35, freshwater fishing, for 1 day.
  2. Nonresident 1 Day Fishing Licence covers the full trip: One-day nonresident fishing licence.
  3. It requires Montana Conservation Licence — nonresident, Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP) — nonresident for the fishing you described.
Other options you are eligible for
  • Nonresident Short-Term Fishing Licence for 5 Consecutive Calendar Days — $73.50 for this trip · Short-Term Nonresident License for 5 Consecutive Calendar Days.
  • Nonresident Full Season Fishing Licence — $117.50 for this trip · The Full Season Fishing license enables you to fish from March 1 through the end of February of the following year.

Exceptions that may change it

  • Montana's most recently published free fishing days were May 9, 2026 (Free Fishing — Mother's Day weekend), May 10, 2026 (Free Fishing — Mother's Day weekend), June 20, 2026 (Free Fishing — Father's Day weekend) and June 21, 2026 (Free Fishing — Father's Day weekend); check the agency for the next one. No licence is required on a free fishing day; other rules still apply.
  • Residents and nonresidents who have been awarded a Purple Heart, regardless of age, may fish with a Conservation Licence issued by FWP.
  • A Conservation Licence allows both residents and nonresidents holding Legion of Valor membership, regardless of age, to fish.
  • Free fishing permits are available for patients residing at VA hospitals and residents of state institutions, except the state penitentiary.
  • Free fishing licence exemptions are available to qualified educational events and fishing clinics for a specific date and location.
  • This answer covers the licence only. Season, size, bag and waterbody rules still apply and change through the year.
Buy on the official Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks site

We do not sell licenses and take no commission. This goes to the state agency.

Check current Montana regulations

Seasons, size limits, bag limits and waterbody closures are not covered by this tool and change through the year.

Validity
2026 · March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027
Reviewed
July 30, 2026

Answers at a glance

Common trips, answered from the same official record the checker uses. These assume an adult with no special circumstances — set your own age, water and trip above.

Visiting for a day

Adult visiting from another state · freshwater · one day

Nonresident 1 Day Fishing Licence

$31.50

Resident for the season

Adult Montana resident · freshwater · all year

Resident Full Season Fishing Licence — ages 18–61

$31

Age and residency rules

Who counts as a resident. To qualify for a resident licence a person must meet the criteria in MCA 87-2-102 and 87-2-202: you must have physically been living in Montana for at least 180 consecutive days (six months) immediately before purchasing any resident licence; you must file Montana state income tax returns as a resident if required to file; you must have registered your vehicles in Montana; if registered to vote you must be registered in Montana; and you may not possess or apply for any resident hunting, fishing or trapping privileges in another state or country. At purchase you must present a valid Montana driver's licence, a valid Montana driver's examiner's identification card, or a tribal identification card.

Age-based rules

  • Anyone 11 years old or younger is not required to have a fishing licence, including a Conservation Licence or AIS Prevention Pass.

License options

LicenseWhoWaterValid forPrice
Resident Full Season Fishing Licence — ages 12–15ResidentAnyone 11 years old or younger is not required to have a fishing licence.freshwaterThe Full Season Fishing license enables you to fish from March 1 through the end of February of the following year.$10.50
Resident Full Season Fishing Licence — ages 16–17 and 62+ResidentFee band covers residents aged 16–17 and residents aged 62 and older.freshwaterThe Full Season Fishing license enables you to fish from March 1 through the end of February of the following year.$10.50
Resident Full Season Fishing Licence — ages 18–61ResidentStandard adult resident fee band.freshwaterThe Full Season Fishing license enables you to fish from March 1 through the end of February of the following year.$21
Resident with a Disability Full Season Fishing LicenceTo qualify, a person must be permanently and substantially disabled. Applications are available on the FWP website but can only be certified at a regional FWP office or by mail. Not available to nonresidents.ResidentFWP's 2026 fee table lists this band as ages 18–61, disabled.freshwaterValid March 1 through the end of February of the following year.$10.50
Resident 2-Day Fishing Licence — ages 12–15ResidentfreshwaterShort-Term Resident License for 2 Consecutive Calendar Days.$5
Resident 2-Day Fishing Licence — ages 16–17 and 62+ResidentFee band covers residents aged 16–17 and residents aged 62 and older.freshwaterShort-Term Resident License for 2 Consecutive Calendar Days.$5
Resident 2-Day Fishing Licence — ages 18–61ResidentfreshwaterShort-Term Resident License for 2 Consecutive Calendar Days.$5
Resident Lifetime Fishing Licence for the BlindApplication available from FWP and requires medical certification.ResidentfreshwaterLifetime fishing licence for a Montana resident who is blind.$10
Nonresident Full Season Fishing LicenceNon-residentAnyone 11 years old or younger is not required to have a fishing licence.freshwaterThe Full Season Fishing license enables you to fish from March 1 through the end of February of the following year.$100
Nonresident 1 Day Fishing LicenceNon-residentAnyone 11 years old or younger is not required to have a fishing licence.freshwaterOne-day nonresident fishing licence.$14
Nonresident Short-Term Fishing Licence for 5 Consecutive Calendar DaysNon-residentAnyone 11 years old or younger is not required to have a fishing licence.freshwaterShort-Term Nonresident License for 5 Consecutive Calendar Days.$56

Stamps, endorsements and report cards

  • Montana Conservation Licence — resident ages 18–61 — A Conservation License is needed before you can buy any fishing or hunting license, and is required of every person aged 12 years and older using a fishing access site for any reason. · $8
  • Montana Conservation Licence — resident youth 12–17 and seniors 62+ — A Conservation License is needed before you can buy any fishing or hunting license, and is required of every person aged 12 years and older using a fishing access site for any reason. · $4
  • Montana Conservation Licence — nonresident — A Conservation License is needed before you can buy any fishing or hunting license, and is required of every person aged 12 years and older using a fishing access site for any reason. · $10
  • Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP) — resident — Required with your purchase of a fishing licence for residents aged 16 and over who fish in Montana. There is no fee for youth 15 and younger. · $2
  • Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP) — nonresident — Required with your purchase of a fishing licence for nonresidents aged 16 and over who fish in Montana. There is no fee for youth 15 and younger. · $7.50
  • Paddlefish Tag — resident — All anglers must purchase a paddlefish tag (e-tag or paper) to fish for paddlefish, in addition to a valid Conservation Licence, AIS Prevention Pass and Fishing Licence. Limit of one paddlefish tag (one fish) per person. · $6.50
  • Paddlefish Tag — nonresident — All anglers must purchase a paddlefish tag (e-tag or paper) to fish for paddlefish, in addition to a valid Conservation Licence, AIS Prevention Pass and Fishing Licence. Limit of one paddlefish tag (one fish) per person. · $15
  • Bull Trout Catch Card — Required in possession when fishing for bull trout in the three designated waters (Lake Koocanusa, or Hungry Horse Reservoir and part of the South Fork Flathead River). Anglers may select only one area. · No charge · this is a report card or registration, not a paid stamp

Exemptions worth knowing

  • By Montana law, each year on Mother's Day and Father's Day weekends any person (resident or nonresident) may fish for any fish within this state without obtaining a Fishing Licence. In 2026 these are May 9–10 and June 20–21. Still required: The waiver covers only the Fishing Licence — anglers must abide by all seasons, restrictions and bag limits, a valid Conservation Licence is still required of everyone aged 12 and older using a fishing access site for any reason, and paddlefish and bull trout fishing still require Conservation, Fishing and AIS Prevention licences plus a paddlefish tag or bull trout catch card.
  • Residents and nonresidents who have been awarded a Purple Heart, regardless of age, may fish with a Conservation Licence issued by FWP. Still required: Verification of Purple Heart and DD 214 form required. Residents can obtain this only at FWP offices; nonresidents only at FWP Headquarters in Helena, and only during expeditions arranged by a nonprofit organisation that uses fishing and hunting as part of rehabilitation.
  • A Conservation Licence allows both residents and nonresidents holding Legion of Valor membership, regardless of age, to fish. Still required: Legion of Valor membership card required to qualify; available only at FWP offices, and a Conservation Licence must be held.
  • Free fishing permits are available for patients residing at VA hospitals and residents of state institutions, except the state penitentiary. Still required: The free permit must be obtained on-site at the VA hospital or state institution; contact FWP Enforcement at 406-444-2452.
  • Free fishing licence exemptions are available to qualified educational events and fishing clinics for a specific date and location. Still required: The event organiser must apply to FWP (typically a minimum two weeks' advance notice); the event must be educational, taught under the guidance of an FWP employee or certified fishing instructor, and not part of a profit-making activity.

Free fishing days

  • Free Fishing — Mother's Day weekend — May 9, 2026. Any person may fish without a Fishing Licence, subject to all seasons, restrictions and bag limits. Paddlefish and bull trout are excepted.
  • Free Fishing — Mother's Day weekend — May 10, 2026. Any person may fish without a Fishing Licence, subject to all seasons, restrictions and bag limits. Paddlefish and bull trout are excepted.
  • Free Fishing — Father's Day weekend — June 20, 2026. Any person may fish without a Fishing Licence, subject to all seasons, restrictions and bag limits. Paddlefish and bull trout are excepted.
  • Free Fishing — Father's Day weekend — June 21, 2026. Any person may fish without a Fishing Licence, subject to all seasons, restrictions and bag limits. Paddlefish and bull trout are excepted.

Where this comes from

Primary source
Fishing Licenses & Permits — Montana FWP — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
Retrieved
July 26, 2026
Reviewed
July 30, 2026
Also consulted

Found something out of date? Email corrections@fishinglicensecheck.com and tell us which figure and which page — see corrections.

Nearby states

Licenses are issued state by state — a Montana license does not carry its own rules across the border, so if your trip crosses one, check both states.

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