If you're interested in angling in Montana, your input is needed to help craft new fishing regulations for the next two years.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is seeking public input on 41 preliminary proposals for the 2027-28 fishing regulations. FWP is also interested in hearing additional ideas for regulation changes from anglers.
FWP will host a public meeting in Bozeman on May 19 to present proposed regulation changes for the region, answer questions and collect input. The meeting will begin at 6 p.m. at FWP's Bozeman office, 1400 S. 19th Ave.
FWP is hosting public meetings in other areas of the state, including two statewide virtual meetings. The schedule for these meetings and the full set of preliminary fishing regulation proposals can be found here.
Proposals 25 through 39 deal specifically with Region 3 waterbodies. Other proposals include changes to statewide and district standard regulations, among other changes.
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 public understanding and angler compliance. Many of the proposed regulation changes aim to reduce confusion by clarifying definitions, aligning district standards and reducing the need for numerous waterbody-specific exemptions.
To submit comments on these proposals or to propose your own ideas, click here. Comments and new ideas can also be submitted by mail to:
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks
P.O. Box 200701
Helena, MT 59620
Public comments from this scoping effort will be collected through May 31.
Regulations are set by the Fish and Wildlife Commission, a seven-member board independent from FWP appointed by Gov. Greg Gianforte. The commissioners will review public comments and, prior to the final meeting this fall, propose any amendments they feel are necessary. Commissioners may also make changes to regulation proposals during the final meeting.