2026 regulation year
Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir 2026 — Montana Fishing Regulations
Montana statewide rules apply unless overridden below.
Last updated
Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir carries a special-regulation overlay on top of Montana's 2026 fishing rules — covering Northern pike. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.
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Per-species rules on Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir
10 / day; productive northern Hi-Line prairie pike + walleye reservoirs
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 Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir?
- Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir carries one special-regulation overlay that overrides Montana's statewide 2026 rules, covering Northern pike. It reads: "10 / day; productive northern Hi-Line prairie pike + walleye reservoirs." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
- Do I need a fishing license to fish Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir?
- Yes. Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir 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 Hi-Line reservoirs; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Montana rules.
- Do Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir's special rules replace Montana's statewide limits?
- Only where they conflict. Montana's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Hi-Line reservoirs 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.
- Which species have special rules on Hi-Line reservoirs?
- Northern pike has a water-body-specific rule on Nelson Reservoir + Fresno Reservoir, each linking to its full Montana regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Montana limits.