If you are interested in angling in Montana, your input is needed to help improve and craft new fishing regulations for the next two years.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary fishing regulation proposals for the 2027–2028 fishing regulations. FWP is also interested in hearing additional ideas for regulation changes from anglers.
FWP will host a public meeting on Monday, May 11, at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at Billings Public Library (510 N. Broadway). At this meeting, staff will present regional fishing regulation proposals, answer questions and collect input. Region 5 Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Gagnon will also be at the meeting.
Each of the 41 proposals include information on biological rationale, regulation type, and references to the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan.
FWP uses a two-year cycle for fishing regulations and booklets are printed on odd-numbered years. In the interim, changes will be posted online and shared using other outreach like FWP newsletters and social media.
The full set of preliminary proposals for the entire state are available online where people can also easily comment. Comments on individual proposals, as well as new regulation ideas from the public, can be submitted through the FWP website, or by mail to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, P.O. Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620. Comments for this initial scoping effort will be collected until May 31.
Comments gathered during this initial phase will help fisheries staff develop a formal proposal package for the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission. 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 formal proposal package will go out for public comment in August before going to the Commission for final consideration. Final regulations will be set at the October 2026 Commission meeting. The commissioners will review public comments and feedback and, prior to their meeting in October, propose any amendments they feel are necessary. Commissioners may also make changes to the regulation proposals during the final meeting.