2026 regulation year
Marias River 2026 — Montana Fishing Regulations
Montana statewide rules apply unless overridden below.
Last updated
Marias River carries a special-regulation overlay on top of Montana's 2026 fishing rules. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.
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State-level special regulation
Combined trout 5 / day, only 1 over 18 in; mountain whitefish 35 / day; Hi-Line river below Tiber Dam (Lake Elwell)
Source: Montana special-water list
Official source
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) publishes the authoritative 2026 Montana fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.
Visit official Montana fishing regulations →
Emergency-order channel
In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks's emergency-order feed — check it before any Montana trip during the active season.
Other special-regulation waters in Montana
Frequently asked questions
- What special fishing regulations apply at Marias River?
- Marias River carries one special-regulation overlay that overrides Montana's statewide 2026 rules. It reads: "Combined trout 5 / day, only 1 over 18 in; mountain whitefish 35 / day; Hi-Line river below Tiber Dam (Lake Elwell)." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
- Do I need a fishing license to fish Marias River?
- Yes. Marias River is in Montana, so a valid Montana fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Marias River; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Montana rules.
- Do Marias River's special rules replace Montana's statewide limits?
- Only where they conflict. Montana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Marias River by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rule for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.