HELENA – The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission met April 16 at the Montana Heritage Center in Helena to make decisions on a variety of topics proposed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks including fish removals, forestry work and migratory bird regulations.
The commission is a seven-member citizen board appointed by Gov. Greg Gianforte. The commission's role is set in statute and requires them to approve a variety of things related to FWP, including land projects, hunting and fishing regulations, citizen petitions and wildlife removal or translocations.
The commission has a dedicated webpage on the FWP Website that contains information on current agenda topics, links to commission meeting videos, and past meeting information.
The following is a roundup of the action taken by the commission on April 16.
2026 fish removal projects
The commission approved the fish removal projects for 2026. These projects directly support statewide native fish conservation goals, reduce long-term risk to downstream fisheries and restore more appropriate recreational fishing opportunities.
Doney Lake Forest Habitat Improvement Project
The commission approved the Doney Lake Forest Habitat Improvement Project. This is a 1,136-acre forest habitat improvement project on the Ovando Mountain Unit (OMU) of the Blackfoot-Clearwater Wildlife Management Area. The project is expected to enhance forage for migratory populations of approximately 500 elk and 200 mule deer that use the OMU as winter range.
Spotted Dog WMA grazing lease renewal
The commission approved FWP's proposed eight-year exchange of use grazing lease on the Spotted Dog Wildlife Management Area (WMA). This exchange of use grazing lease agreement continues a successful partnership with a neighboring landowner and will enhance wildlife habitat for priority species on the Spotted Dog WMA and adjacent private lands through the use of regenerative grazing practices.
Migratory bird regulations (2026–27)
The commission approved the 2026–2027 migratory game bird seasons. Migratory bird seasons will remain primarily unchanged with two notable differences:
- FWP will expand sandhill crane Hunting District 390-01 into Lewis and Clark County and a modest increase in sandhill crane license-permit types (LPTs) 390-01 based on increased availability of sandhill cranes.
- FWP will increase the bag limit in sandhill crane Hunting District (HD) 280-01 from one sandhill crane to two sandhill cranes for consistency across all hunting districts.
Bighorn Sheep Within-Range Translocation
The commission approved the bighorn sheep translocations into Bear Creek WMA during 2026–2035. These will use a series of within-range translocations of 20 to 50 bighorn sheep at a time (with a cumulative total of no more than 150) from the southern population (HD 302, Taylor-Hilgard) to Bear Creek Wildlife Management Area, a high-quality winter range habitat in the middle of unoccupied range.
Peregrine Falcon Take, 2026-2027 Biennium
The commission approved the take of up to 10 peregrine falcons for falconry purposes by residents and one peregrine falcon for falconry purposes by nonresidents during the 2026–2027 biennial take period, as well as other recommendations, which can be viewed on here.
Sun River bridge – temporary closure
The commission adopted a temporary closure on the Sun River from 500 feet upstream of the existing Sun River Bridge to 500 feet downstream of the existing Sun River Bridge from June 1 through Nov. 15. The Federal Highway Administration is replacing the Sun River Bridge, also known as the Pishkun Road Bridge, located northwest of Augusta. The existing bridge is in poor condition and poses safety risks to users.
FAS fee rule renewal
The commission adopted the Fishing Access Site (FAS) Annual Rule with no changes for 2026.The rule, which was adopted in 2025, established fees for public use at FASes, including camping fees, group-use fees and facility rental fees. It also established the special recreation permit fees for organized groups and competitive events for the Blackfoot and Madison rivers, organized and commercial group size limits for the Blackfoot River and special commercial regulations for the Alberton Gorge section of the Clark Fork River.
Commercial use permit fee rule
The commission renewed the existing Commercial Use Permit Fee Rule for FASes, fisheries conservation areas, wildlife management areas and FWP administrative sites with no changes for the 2026 calendar year.
Commercial use and FAS fee rules will come back to the commission later this year as FWP staff are working on a revised plan for both.
Whitebird & Swinging Bridge FASes – temporary restrictions
The commission adopted the proposed temporary restrictions of walk-in only use of the Whitebird FAS on the Stillwater River until the bridge is repaired or replaced and safe for public use, and to restrict Swinging Bridge FAS to day-use only from May 1 to July 23, 2026.
Swinging Bridge FAS is downstream of this site and will likely experience increased public and commercial use due to displacement of boaters, recreationists and anglers from Whitebird FAS. The restriction closes camping at Swinging Bridge FAS to allow for increased day-use of the site from May 1 until July 23, 2026, to reduce conflicts through peak rafting season on the Stillwater River.
26‑Mile FAS recreation permit and site development
The commission approved a proposal to obtain a no-cost Recreation Lease from the Montana Department of Transportation for the development and management of an FAS on the 26-Mile site on the Yellowstone River. The site is located 26 miles south of Livingston along Hwy 89, approximately 5 miles south of the Emigrant FAS and five miles north of the Point of Rocks FAS.