When is smallmouth bass season in Montana?

Montana keeps smallmouth bass 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 smallmouth bass?

The Montana daily bag limit for smallmouth bass is Western Fishing District 15 / day; Central + Eastern Fishing District 5 / day (FWP-distinctive — bass non-native to MT, harvest encouraged); Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Reservoir) 10 / day. The possession limit is Western 15; Central + Eastern 5; Bighorn Lake 20. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.

What size smallmouth bass can you keep in Montana?

The Montana size rule for smallmouth bass is No size limit (FWP-distinctive — encourages harvest, contrasts with traditional smallmouth-managing states). Trophy rule: MT state-record smallmouth 7 lb 12 oz Fort Peck Reservoir 1995; Tongue River Reservoir + Fort Peck + Yellowtail Reservoir + lower Yellowstone River smallmouth produces 3-5 lb fish routinely on spring pre-spawn pattern; lower Yellowstone Forsyth-to-ND-boundary reach country's most under-the-radar wild smallmouth + walleye + sauger + paddlefish river.

Do you need a license to fish for smallmouth bass in Montana?

Yes. Montana requires a valid fishing license to fish for smallmouth bass, 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 smallmouth bass in Montana?

Yes. In Montana, smallmouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; trolling permitted; Snagging prohibited for black bass; 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 reach-specific exceptions.

Do specific Montana waters have different smallmouth bass rules?

Yes. 5 named Montana waters carry rules that override the statewide smallmouth bass regulation, including Tongue River Reservoir, Fort Peck Reservoir, Bighorn Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

2026 regulation year

Montana Smallmouth bass 2026 — Season, Bag Limit, Size Rules

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Last updated June 8, 2026

Montana smallmouth bass fishery is centered on the lower Yellowstone River (Forsyth + Miles City + Glendive downstream to the MT/ND boundary at the Missouri River confluence), the lower Missouri River (Fort Peck Reservoir tailwater downstream + Missouri reach near Wolf Point + Culbertson), the Tongue River + Tongue River Reservoir + Powder River drainage of southeastern MT, and Fort Peck Reservoir + Yellowtail Reservoir. Montana smallmouth bass were introduced in the early 20th century and have established naturally-reproducing populations throughout the lower Missouri + Yellowstone + Tongue + Powder drainages. The FWP management framework treats smallmouth bass as a non-native species — the smallmouth rule is liberal: 15 / day in the Western District + 5 / day in the Central + Eastern Districts, with NO size minimum anywhere in Montana, deliberately structured to encourage harvest. This contrasts sharply with traditional smallmouth-managing states (NY + WI + MN + KY + TN) that ship 14-18 in min trophy-protection rules. Tongue River Reservoir (3,900-acre reservoir in Big Horn County southeastern MT) carries the densest smallmouth fishery in Montana — spring pre-spawn fishing in May – June produces 3-5 lb fish routinely. Fort Peck Reservoir (245,000-acre Missouri River main-stem reservoir, country's fifth-largest reservoir by surface area) carries a developing smallmouth fishery alongside the walleye + sauger + chinook salmon + northern pike + paddlefish tier. Yellowtail Reservoir + Bighorn Canyon NRA carries smallmouth alongside walleye + sauger + brown trout under the joint MT/WY reciprocal compact. The lower Yellowstone River (Forsyth downstream to ND boundary) carries the country's most under-the-radar wild smallmouth + walleye + sauger + paddlefish river — Yellowstone smallmouth produce 3-4 lb fish routinely on the spring pre-spawn pattern. MT state-record smallmouth 7 lb 12 oz Fort Peck Reservoir 1995. Open year-round statewide.

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Season

Open year-round Open year-round statewide; May – September pre-spawn through post-spawn densest fishing window on Tongue River Reservoir + Fort Peck + lower Yellowstone + Yellowtail Reservoir.

Bag & possession

Daily bag: Western Fishing District 15 / day; Central + Eastern Fishing District 5 / day (FWP-distinctive — bass non-native to MT, harvest encouraged); Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Reservoir) 10 / day
Possession: Western 15; Central + Eastern 5; Bighorn Lake 20

Size, slot, trophy rules

Size: No size limit (FWP-distinctive — encourages harvest, contrasts with traditional smallmouth-managing states)
Trophy rule: MT state-record smallmouth 7 lb 12 oz Fort Peck Reservoir 1995; Tongue River Reservoir + Fort Peck + Yellowtail Reservoir + lower Yellowstone River smallmouth produces 3-5 lb fish routinely on spring pre-spawn pattern; lower Yellowstone Forsyth-to-ND-boundary reach country's most under-the-radar wild smallmouth + walleye + sauger + paddlefish river

Gear restrictions

Hook-and-line; trolling permitted
Snagging prohibited for black bass
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 reach-specific exceptions

Named water-body overrides

Where statewide rules differ on specific Montana waters:

Tongue River Reservoir
Eastern District 5 / day, no size limit; spring pre-spawn fishing May – June produces 3-5 lb fish routinely
Fort Peck Reservoir
Eastern District 5 / day, no size limit; MT state-record smallmouth 7 lb 12 oz Fort Peck Reservoir 1995; developing smallmouth fishery alongside the walleye + sauger + chinook salmon tier
Yellowtail Reservoir + Bighorn Canyon NRA
Bighorn Lake bass 10 / day, 20 in possession; MT/WY joint reciprocal compact on the boundary reservoir
Yellowstone River
Eastern District 5 / day, no size limit; country's most under-the-radar wild smallmouth + walleye + sauger + paddlefish river
Tongue River + Powder River
Eastern District 5 / day, no size limit; FWP-distinctive aggressive harvest

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

Smallmouth bass 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 smallmouth bass season in Montana?: Montana keeps smallmouth bass 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 smallmouth bass?: The Montana daily bag limit for smallmouth bass is Western Fishing District 15 / day; Central + Eastern Fishing District 5 / day (FWP-distinctive — bass non-native to MT, harvest encouraged); Bighorn Lake (Yellowtail Reservoir) 10 / day. The possession limit is Western 15; Central + Eastern 5; Bighorn Lake 20. Some named waters set a different limit — check the water-body overrides above.
What size smallmouth bass can you keep in Montana?: The Montana size rule for smallmouth bass is No size limit (FWP-distinctive — encourages harvest, contrasts with traditional smallmouth-managing states). Trophy rule: MT state-record smallmouth 7 lb 12 oz Fort Peck Reservoir 1995; Tongue River Reservoir + Fort Peck + Yellowtail Reservoir + lower Yellowstone River smallmouth produces 3-5 lb fish routinely on spring pre-spawn pattern; lower Yellowstone Forsyth-to-ND-boundary reach country's most under-the-radar wild smallmouth + walleye + sauger + paddlefish river.
Do you need a license to fish for smallmouth bass in Montana?: Yes. Montana requires a valid fishing license to fish for smallmouth bass, 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 smallmouth bass in Montana?: Yes. In Montana, smallmouth bass fishing carries these gear rules: Hook-and-line; trolling permitted; Snagging prohibited for black bass; 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 reach-specific exceptions.
Do specific Montana waters have different smallmouth bass rules?: Yes. 5 named Montana waters carry rules that override the statewide smallmouth bass regulation, including Tongue River Reservoir, Fort Peck Reservoir, Bighorn Lake, and 2 more. See the named water-body overrides above for the exact rule on each.

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