State considers loosened harvest limits and bait restrictions for western Montana anglers

New angling regulations may remove catch and possession limits for several non-native species and expand bait and tackle requirements aimed at conserving endangered bull trout populations in western Montana.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is pitching the changes as part of its biannual review of statewide fishing regulations. If approved, all measures would go into effect in 2027.   

While daily harvest limits on smallmouth bass and rainbow trout catch limits would remain in place, the state wildlife agency is proposing the repeal of possession limits for both fish in the western district. The species are considered non-native and compete with native fish like bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout.  

Exceptions to the proposed rule change include Little Bitterroot Lake, where officials are considering a daily harvest and possession limit of one rainbow trout due to the recent cessation of stocking activities, and Flathead Lake, where officials have proposed eliminating daily harvest and possession limits for rainbow trout, smallmouth bass and northern pike. 

A proposed regulation would limit daily harvest of kokanee salmon in Little Bitterroot Lake to 10 fish per day, with the goal of accommodating increased egg and milt harvest by the state wildlife agency. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks previously used Lake Mary Ronan as the brood source for its kokanee raising operations, but rising autumn temperatures and poor egg quality forced the agency to shift focus to Little Bitterroot Lake.  

The state wildlife agency has also proposed an increase in the daily harvest limit on crayfish in McGregor Lake from 20 to 100 fish per day.    

Other proposed changes would expand restrictions on the use of double or treble hooks to several streams and rivers, including Graves Creek, Canyon Creek and the West Fork Thompson River and its tributaries, and restrict the use of dead or artificial bait on Fishtrap, Graves and Canyon creeks and the West Fork Thompson River and its tributaries. Both measures aim to conserve bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout. 

A rule change limiting the harvest limit for bull trout in Hungry Horse Reservoir to one fish at least 28 inches in length between July 1 and Sept. 1 similarly seeks to mitigate the impact anglers have on native trout populations. Current regulations allow anglers to fish for bull trout from the third Saturday in May through Aug. 15 and do not include any size restrictions. 

Officials are hosting public meetings throughout the state to answer questions and gather input on the regulation changes. A meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m., May 14 at the Kalispell Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks office. 

The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission will vote on whether to approve the regulation changes at its fall 2026 meeting. 

Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 406-758-4433 or hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com. If you value local journalism, pledge your support at dailyinterlake.com/support.