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Montana Dangerous Ice Warning (March 11, 2026): Canyon Ferry, Holter, Fort Peck & Flathead Lake Conditions
Mid-March is Montana’s most dangerous stretch for ice fishing. Here’s what local guides, marina operators, and FWP officials are seeing…
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Montana Shed Hunting Hotspots: 7 Public Land Areas to Find Fresh Elk & Deer Antlers in March (Plus Timing & Gear Tips)
Montana’s prime shed-hunting window is here. As bulls and bucks start dropping, March 10–25 can be the sweet spot for…
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Montana Fishing Forecast (Mid-March): Ice-Out Updates, Best Rivers & Lakes, and Top Flies as Spring Starts
Mid-March is Montana’s ice-out hinge point: dangerous, variable ice on many reservoirs, but growing open-water options and the season’s first…
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Helicoptering Into Landlocked Public Land in Wyoming for Elk Sparks Viral Rancher Confrontation—and a Theft Charge
After more than a decade of building Wyoming elk preference points, Andrew McKean and friends cashed in on a hard-to-access…
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Early Spring Walleye Below a Missouri River Dam: Shore Fishing Tips + Catch-Clean-Cook Video
MinnDak Outdoors hits the Missouri River below a dam for early spring walleye—covering lure and bait approach, subtle bites, and…
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University of Montana Launches New Fisheries Science Chair Backed by $5 Million to Protect Cold-Water Trout
The University of Montana has launched a new Chair of Fisheries Science with $5 million from 56 donors. Yoichiro Kanno…
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Idaho Hunter’s “Bow-Season” Trophy Elk Story Unravels After Rifle Evidence Found, Officials Say
Idaho investigators say an archery-season trophy bull elk was illegally killed with a rifle—and then staged to look like a…
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Idaho Shed Hunter Stumbles on Two Napping Mountain Lions—Can You Spot Them in the Photos?
An Idaho outdoorsman looking for sheds got the surprise of a lifetime when he accidentally walked into a pair of…
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NW Montana Fishing Report (March 5, 2026): Echo Open, Flathead Lake Laker Bite, Koocanusa Rainbows — Chancy’s Fish Camp
Northwest Montana waters are opening up fast. Chancy’s Fish Camp reports Echo Lake is fully open with early smallmouth showing,…
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Kootenai River Fishing Report (Montana) Feb. 28, 2026: 4,000 CFS Flows, Cold Water Nymphing & Streamer Tips
Low, steady flows out of Libby Dam (4,000 cfs) and mild weather have the Kootenai River fishing very doable heading…
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Montana FWP’s Spring Electrofishing on 7 Rivers: What Anglers Need to Know About Tagged Trout (and Rewards)
FWP crews are floating seven Montana rivers over the next several weeks for their annual electrofishing “science tour,” collecting trout…
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Montana Wolf Harvest Update: 241 Taken So Far (Out of 452) — Regional Breakdown, Open Units, and Season Dates
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks reports 241 wolves harvested statewide so far this season out of a 452 quota (excluding…
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Tongue River Marina Ice Fishing Report (Feb. 28): Open Water Growing Near Ramp, Marina Bay Still Iced
Tongue River Marina reports 15–20 feet of open water off the ramp, with Marina Bay still mostly iced over but…
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Makoshika State Park: Montana’s Largest State Park (Badlands Hikes, Dinosaurs & Stargazing in Glendive)
Makoshika State Park near Glendive is Montana’s largest state park—about 11,538 acres of rugged badlands, hoodoos, and wide-open sky. Built…
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Montana Fishing Report (Feb. 28): Late-Winter Ice Update, Where the Bite Is (and What to Avoid)
Closing out February with classic late-winter conditions: some lakes are finally offering decent ice, but thickness varies—especially on larger reservoirs.…
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Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA Shed Hunting Opening Day 2026: May 15 Noon Access, Vehicle Entry Registration, and New Nonresident Rules
Headed to Montana’s Blackfoot-Clearwater WMA for opening day shed hunting? Here’s the May 15, 2026 noon access plan, how vehicle…
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Montana Big Cat Closures: Region 6 Bobcat Season Ends Feb. 28; LMU 280 Male Mountain Lion Closes Feb. 27, 2026
Montana FWP reports two quota-driven big cat closures: bobcat hunting and trapping in Region 6 ends at midnight Saturday, Feb.…
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2026 Fort Peck Tournament of Kings (Montana): Dates, Entry Fee, $10K Daily Payouts + Random Weight Salmon Pots
Montana’s 1st Annual Fort Peck Tournament of Kings hits July 31–Aug. 1, 2026 with a 150-boat cap, $400 team entry,…
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Montana Elk Don’t Follow a Script—How FWP Uses GPS Tracklogs to Survey Smarter
Montana wildlife surveys have evolved from paper maps and pencils to handheld GPS units and digital mapping tools. As elk…
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Montana Shed Antler Hunting Rules for 2026: $50 Nonresident WMA License + 7-Day Waiting Period
Montana’s 2026 shed antler rule updates mainly affect nonresidents on Wildlife Management Areas (WMAs): a new $50 WMA shed hunting…
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Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report (Feb. 23, 2026): Final Winter Update + Urgent Ice Safety Warning as Canyon Ferry Opens Up
Final winter fishing report for Helena-area reservoirs before updates resume in April. Ice is highly variable and can change fast,…
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Montana Hunting Licenses Go on Sale March 1: What Opens, What Changed This Year, and What to Check Before You Buy
March 1 is Montana’s “opening day for paperwork”: licenses go on sale and special draw applications open. With multiple rule…
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Montana Drought 2025: Golden Triangle Now in Extreme Drought
Dry February is strangling Montana’s winter moisture recharge. The Golden Triangle has slipped into extreme drought — here’s what it…
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NW Montana Ice & Fishing Report (Feb. 20, 2026): Where Ice Is Still Holding, Where It’s Sketchy, and What’s Biting
From Chancy’s Fish Camp in Evergreen, MT: ice conditions are a mixed bag across NW Montana—some lakes still have decent…
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Upper Salmon River Steelhead Report (Feb. 11–15, 2026): Mild Winter, Stable Flows, and Fish Pushing Farther Upstream
A mild winter kept the Upper Salmon River more open than usual in mid-February, with warmer water, a shorter ice…
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Flathead Area Fishing Report (Feb. 18, 2026): Ice Depths, Open-Water Hot Spots, and McGregor Tournament Update
Macman’s latest Flathead-area fishing report: Browns Lake is around 10 inches of ice and Upper Thompson about 6, but no…
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Fort Peck Ice Update: 20–30 mph Winds Break Up Remaining Sheets, Leaving Unstable Ice and Open Water
Strong 20–30 mph winds are rapidly changing conditions on Fort Peck. Lakeridge Lodging and Bait Shop reports remaining ice sheets…
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Fort Peck Lake Ice Rescue: Search & Rescue, Airboat Crew, and Locals Bring Stranded People Safely Back to Shore
Valley County Search and Rescue responded around 4:00 p.m. after several people became stranded on Fort Peck Lake. An airboat…
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Montana Wolf Harvest Update (Feb. 17, 2026): 229 Wolves Taken Toward 452-Quota; WMU 313 Closed
FWP reports 229 wolves harvested statewide toward a 452-wolf quota (excluding WMUs 313 and 316). Region 1 leads with 96,…
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Ice Safety Update: Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop Says Lake Is Blown Open—No Safe Ice Access
Lakeridge Lodging & Bait Shop shared an update (Feb. 17, ~6:30 p.m.) warning that the ice “did not make it”…
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Fox Haas Dies at 95: Legendary Turkey Hunter, Mossy Oak Patriarch, and Mississippi Conservation Force
Fox Haas, the celebrated turkey hunter and conservation advocate, has died at 95. From a 75-season run (with only two…
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Helena Area Fishing & Ice Report (Feb. 17, 2026): Canyon Ferry, Hauser, Holter & Helena Valley Reservoir
Montana FWP’s latest Helena-area reservoir update: ice is extremely variable, with open water in spots. Here’s where anglers are finding…
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2 plead guilty in case alleging 12 illegally killed mountain lions
One defendant is set for trial later this year.
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Nearly $50,000 in fines, restitution imposed for illegal big horn sheep hunts on Salmon-Challis National Forest
A defendant sold and facilitated Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep hunts in an area of the Salmon-Challis National Forest that…
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Why Field Dressing Requires Full Focus
Hunting accidents happen. A twisted ankle in rough country. A close call with a falling branch. Even the occasional misplaced…
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NW Montana Fishing Report 2.12.26
The Murphy lake derby is canceled, but several others remain active. Ice conditions vary, with good fishing reported for perch,…
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Forget Ice Cleats? Here’s How to Make Them Yourself!
Forgetting ice cleats can happen, but making your own is a cost-effective alternative. It’s simple, customizable, and can ensure safety…
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Montana Fishing Report – February 14th
Mid-February in Montana is usually prime time for ice fishing, but this winter is still being stubborn. Many waters are…
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Dam bypass channel changes Lower Yellowstone River fishing
A new bypass channel allows fish to navigate around Intake Diversion Dam, significantly increasing walleye populations in the Lower Yellowstone…
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Don Wilkins’ Weekly Fort Peck, MT Fishing Report 2.13.26
Despite warm weather, ice conditions remain stable with 7-13 inches in various areas. Fishing activity is slowing, but decent catches…
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Don Wilkins’ 15-Minute Battle on the Ice
What started as just another drop through the ice quickly turned into something much bigger for angler Don Wilkins. Almost…
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Open Water Alert: Fishing Conditions at First Lake Near Havre, MT
First Lake near Havre has ample open water according to social media reports, with locals encouraging boat use. Fresno Lake…
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Helena Area Reservoirs Fishing Report 2.9.26
Anglers should exercise caution due to varying ice conditions. Fishing yields include rainbows at Canyon Ferry and Helena Valley, while…
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Federal lawsuit targets EPA approval of Montana’s new nutrient pollution standards
A new federal lawsuit is challenging EPA’s approval of Montana’s shift away from numeric nutrient pollution standards—rules that had guided…
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Montana Fishing Report – February 7th
Early February in Montana is still playing games with anglers. Ice fishing opportunities remain limited in many areas, with inconsistent…
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Don Wilkins’ Weekly Fort Peck Ice & Fishing Report 2.6.26
Ice conditions and fishing varied this week in Rock Creek and McGuire. Reports noted strong northern bites in shallow water…
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12 Creative Duct Tape Uses for Fishing Trips
Duct tape is an invaluable fishing tool, offering twelve innovative uses such as repairing gear, waterproofing shoes, securing items, and…
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Appreciating Unique Deer: Beyond Hunting Seasons
Before anyone checks the calendar or reaches for regulations—no, it is not Montana’s general big game season, and no, this…
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Visit Gates of the Mountains: Open Water Fishing
The Gates of the Mountains opens today at 7:30 a.m. for fishing, but visitors must bring exact change due to…
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New Idaho State Record Yellowstone Cutthroat Trout Caught Ice Fishing
The mere act of even catching a Yellowstone cutthroat is a bucket list for many anglers. This one broke a record
