Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input through the end of the month on 41 preliminary proposals for the 2027–2028 fishing regulations. FWP also hopes to hear new ideas to consider for the next draft of the proposals.
FWP is hosting public meetings across the state in May as part of this initial phase of the regulation setting process, including two online meetings on May 26. The west-central Montana Region 2 meeting is set for Thursday, May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the FWP Missoula office (3201 Spurgin Road), where fisheries staff will present preliminary proposals, answer questions, and discuss ideas.
Two of the preliminary proposals include changes specific to regulations in FWP Region 2's portion of the western fishing district. These include:
- Racetrack Pond (near Deer Lodge): Allow the use of maggots for all ages during ice-fishing to be consistent with other waters during that time of year.
- Waters on the Warm Springs Wildlife Management Area (WMA): Simplify and standardize fishing regulations on the WMA to more effectively communicate with anglers and be coordinated with other WMA regulations.
Review these and all the statewide proposals online at fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/fishing-regulations where you can also submit comments and suggest new ideas for regulations through May 31, 2026.
Public input collected this spring will be used to fine-tune a regulation proposal package for the Fish and Wildlife Commission this fall. The Fish and Wildlife Commissioner for the Region 2 area plans to attend the May 21 Missoula meeting to listen to the discussion.
The next proposal package will go out for public comment in August before going to the Commission for final consideration at its fall 2026 meeting.
The preliminary proposals are grounded in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan, which calls for regulations that are effective but as simple as possible to support understanding and angler compliance. Many of the proposed changes aim to reduce confusion by clarifying definitions, aligning district standards and reducing the need for numerous waterbody-specific exceptions.
Regulations are set by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, which is a seven-member board appointed by Gov. Greg Gianforte and independent from FWP. The commissioners will review public comments and feedback and, prior to the final meeting in the fall, propose any amendments they feel are necessary. Commissioners may also make changes to the regulation proposals during the final meeting.