When is cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) season in Montana?

Montana keeps cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.

What is the Montana bag limit for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone)?

The Montana daily bag limit for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) is Western District: cutthroat is a separate category — 3 / day (lakes no size limit; rivers/streams none over 12 in). Central + Eastern District: cutthroat counted within the combined-trout limit (only 1 cutthroat per day on Central rivers). Catch-and-release on Flathead Lake, the upper Yellowstone, Swan, Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Big Hole and other listed native-cutthroat reaches. The possession limit is Western District 3 in possession; Central + Eastern within the 10-fish combined-trout possession limit. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) can you keep in Montana?

The Montana size rule for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) is Western District rivers/streams none over 12 in; no minimum elsewhere; catch-and-release on listed wild-trout reaches. Trophy rule: MT state-record westslope cutthroat 16 lb 0 oz Red Eagle Lake 1955 (Glacier NP — one of largest cutthroat trout state records in country outside Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat fishery); Yellowstone River Paradise Valley + Gardiner to Livingston 60-mile reach country's premier wild Yellowstone cutthroat fishery; FWP-distinctive aggressive native-cutthroat protection (Bitterroot + Blackfoot + St. Regis + lower Clark Fork + Big Hole + Smith + Madison + Beaverhead + Ruby drainage native wild westslope + Yellowstone cutthroat reaches catch-and-release-only); FWP Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program restoration stocking via Washoe Park + Sekokini Springs + Flathead Lake State Fish Hatcheries.

Do you need a license to fish for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) in Montana?

Yes. Montana requires a valid fishing license to fish for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Montana license — compare resident and non-resident Montana fees on the state regulations page below.

Are there gear restrictions for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) in Montana?

Yes. In Montana, cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; fly-fishing-only on listed wild-trout reaches; Artificial-lures-only + barbless single hook on Bitterroot + Blackfoot + Yellowstone + Smith + Big Hole + listed catch-and-release reaches; Live bait prohibited on most native cutthroat waters; Federal NPS regulations supersede on Glacier NP + YNP overlay waters (catch-and-release-only, barbless single-hook artificial-only); Conservation License + Fishing License required (AIS Prevention Pass required for anglers 16+): $8 res Conservation + $21 res season fishing + $2 res AIS / $10 NR Conservation + $100 NR season fishing + $7.50 NR AIS; Confirm current-year FWP Fishing Regulations for District-by-District wild-trout reach + season list.

Do specific Montana waters have different cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) rules?

Yes. 5 named Montana waters carry rules that override the statewide cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) regulation, including Yellowstone River, Glacier National Park, Clark Fork system, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Montana Cutthroat trout (native westslope + Yellowstone) 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Last updated June 8, 2026

Montana cutthroat trout fishery is the heart of native cutthroat country in the West — two distinct native cutthroat subspecies inhabit Montana waters: westslope cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarkii lewisi) west of the Continental Divide in the Clark Fork + Bitterroot + Blackfoot + Flathead + Kootenai + upper Missouri drainages + Glacier National Park; Yellowstone cutthroat (Oncorhynchus clarkii bouvieri) east of the Continental Divide in the Yellowstone River + Lamar + Soda Butte + Gardner tributaries + upper Madison + Smith + Big Hole drainages + the YNP overlay. FWP-managed Quality Management + catch-and-release-only protections on native cutthroat reaches reflect aggressive native-cutthroat protection in response to non-native rainbow trout hybridization pressure (cutbow hybrids) + non-native brown trout + lake trout predation on Flathead Lake + Hebgen Lake. The Yellowstone River through Paradise Valley + the 60-mile reach from Gardiner downstream to Livingston is the country's premier wild Yellowstone cutthroat fishery — FWP-distinctive 0 / day catch-and-release-only protection on upper Yellowstone wild-trout reaches. The Bitterroot + Blackfoot + St. Regis + lower Clark Fork wild westslope cutthroat reaches carry 0 / day catch-and-release-only protection statewide. Glacier National Park federal NPS jurisdiction overlay carries the country's most pristine native westslope cutthroat fishery — MT state-record westslope cutthroat 16 lb 0 oz Red Eagle Lake 1955 (Glacier NP, one of largest cutthroat trout state records in the country outside the Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat fishery). The Big Hole River wild westslope cutthroat reaches + Smith River wild westslope cutthroat reaches + Madison + Beaverhead + Ruby drainage upper headwater reaches carry 0 / day catch-and-release-only protection on listed wild-trout reaches. FWP stocks the Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program annually via the Washoe Park State Fish Hatchery + Sekokini Springs Fish Hatchery + Flathead Lake Fish Hatchery to support genetic-pure westslope cutthroat restoration. Open year-round on most waters.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round on most waters; listed native westslope + Yellowstone cutthroat reaches carry 0 / day catch-and-release-only protection statewide; Glacier NP federal NPS jurisdiction supersedes FWP regulations on park waters.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: Western District: cutthroat is a separate category — 3 / day (lakes no size limit; rivers/streams none over 12 in). Central + Eastern District: cutthroat counted within the combined-trout limit (only 1 cutthroat per day on Central rivers). Catch-and-release on Flathead Lake, the upper Yellowstone, Swan, Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Big Hole and other listed native-cutthroat reaches
Possession: Western District 3 in possession; Central + Eastern within the 10-fish combined-trout possession limit

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: Western District rivers/streams none over 12 in; no minimum elsewhere; catch-and-release on listed wild-trout reaches
Trophy rule: MT state-record westslope cutthroat 16 lb 0 oz Red Eagle Lake 1955 (Glacier NP — one of largest cutthroat trout state records in country outside Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat fishery); Yellowstone River Paradise Valley + Gardiner to Livingston 60-mile reach country's premier wild Yellowstone cutthroat fishery; FWP-distinctive aggressive native-cutthroat protection (Bitterroot + Blackfoot + St. Regis + lower Clark Fork + Big Hole + Smith + Madison + Beaverhead + Ruby drainage native wild westslope + Yellowstone cutthroat reaches catch-and-release-only); FWP Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program restoration stocking via Washoe Park + Sekokini Springs + Flathead Lake State Fish Hatcheries

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; fly-fishing-only on listed wild-trout reaches
Artificial-lures-only + barbless single hook on Bitterroot + Blackfoot + Yellowstone + Smith + Big Hole + listed catch-and-release reaches
Live bait prohibited on most native cutthroat waters
Federal NPS regulations supersede on Glacier NP + YNP overlay waters (catch-and-release-only, barbless single-hook artificial-only)
Conservation License + Fishing License required (AIS Prevention Pass required for anglers 16+): $8 res Conservation + $21 res season fishing + $2 res AIS / $10 NR Conservation + $100 NR season fishing + $7.50 NR AIS
Confirm current-year FWP Fishing Regulations for District-by-District wild-trout reach + season list

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Montana waters:

Yellowstone River
0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on YNP + Paradise Valley + upper river wild Yellowstone cutthroat reaches; FWP native Yellowstone cutthroat protection
Glacier National Park
0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on listed park waters; federal NPS jurisdiction overlay; MT state-record westslope cutthroat 16 lb 0 oz Red Eagle Lake 1955
Bitterroot River + Blackfoot River + Clark Fork River
0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on listed wild westslope cutthroat reaches; FWP native cutthroat protection
Big Hole River
0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on listed native westslope cutthroat reaches
Smith River
0 / day CATCH-AND-RELEASE-ONLY on listed wild westslope cutthroat reaches; FWP Smith River Float Permit lottery required

Official source

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) publishes the authoritative 2026 Montanafishing regulations. Always verify the current rule before fishing — emergency closures and in-season changes can override what's published here.

Visit official Montana fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

Cutthroat trout (native westslope + Yellowstone) closures, slot-limit changes, and harvest pauses are posted to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks's emergency-order feed — check it before any Montana trip during the active season.

Frequently asked questions

When is cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) season in Montana?: Montana keeps cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) open to fishing year-round for the 2026 regulation year — there is no closed season, though the daily bag and size limits below still apply every day.
What is the Montana bag limit for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone)?: The Montana daily bag limit for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) is Western District: cutthroat is a separate category — 3 / day (lakes no size limit; rivers/streams none over 12 in). Central + Eastern District: cutthroat counted within the combined-trout limit (only 1 cutthroat per day on Central rivers). Catch-and-release on Flathead Lake, the upper Yellowstone, Swan, Blackfoot, Bitterroot, Big Hole and other listed native-cutthroat reaches. The possession limit is Western District 3 in possession; Central + Eastern within the 10-fish combined-trout possession limit. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) can you keep in Montana?: The Montana size rule for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) is Western District rivers/streams none over 12 in; no minimum elsewhere; catch-and-release on listed wild-trout reaches. Trophy rule: MT state-record westslope cutthroat 16 lb 0 oz Red Eagle Lake 1955 (Glacier NP — one of largest cutthroat trout state records in country outside Pyramid Lake Lahontan cutthroat fishery); Yellowstone River Paradise Valley + Gardiner to Livingston 60-mile reach country's premier wild Yellowstone cutthroat fishery; FWP-distinctive aggressive native-cutthroat protection (Bitterroot + Blackfoot + St. Regis + lower Clark Fork + Big Hole + Smith + Madison + Beaverhead + Ruby drainage native wild westslope + Yellowstone cutthroat reaches catch-and-release-only); FWP Westslope Cutthroat Trout Conservation Program restoration stocking via Washoe Park + Sekokini Springs + Flathead Lake State Fish Hatcheries.
Do you need a license to fish for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) in Montana?: Yes. Montana requires a valid fishing license to fish for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone), with the usual exemptions for young children, state free-fishing days, and some senior or disabled-veteran categories. A license is valid only in the state that issued it, so non-residents need a Montana license — compare resident and non-resident Montana fees on the state regulations page below.
Are there gear restrictions for cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) in Montana?: Yes. In Montana, cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; fly-fishing-only on listed wild-trout reaches; Artificial-lures-only + barbless single hook on Bitterroot + Blackfoot + Yellowstone + Smith + Big Hole + listed catch-and-release reaches; Live bait prohibited on most native cutthroat waters; Federal NPS regulations supersede on Glacier NP + YNP overlay waters (catch-and-release-only, barbless single-hook artificial-only); Conservation License + Fishing License required (AIS Prevention Pass required for anglers 16+): $8 res Conservation + $21 res season fishing + $2 res AIS / $10 NR Conservation + $100 NR season fishing + $7.50 NR AIS; Confirm current-year FWP Fishing Regulations for District-by-District wild-trout reach + season list.
Do specific Montana waters have different cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) rules?: Yes. 5 named Montana waters carry rules that override the statewide cutthroat trout (native westslope + yellowstone) regulation, including Yellowstone River, Glacier National Park, Clark Fork system, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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