Montana FWP considers gear restrictions on Kootenai River

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is considering a proposal to limit the type of hooks anglers may use on the Kootenai River from the Libby Dam to the Highway 37 bridge near the Fisher River.

According to the agency, the proposal would limit anglers to single-pointed hooks and circle hooks when fishing with bait. A definition of a hook may be found at https://fwp.mt.gov/binaries/content/assets/fwp/aboutfwp/public-comments/2025-26-fishing-regs/scoping_2025-26-fishing-regs.pdf.

According to the agency, the rationale for the possible change is to provide more protections for bull trout and sub-legal rainbow trout. Specifically, the proposal seeks to reduce the catch-and-release mortality rates for the two species.

Bull trout comprise between 11% and 34% of the catch using bait, lures or a combination of bait and lures. Bull trout redd counts continue to decline in the Kootenai River. 

Agency officials believe gear restriction would promote bull trout recovery and rainbow trout recruitment to trophy sizes in a one-of-a-kind trophy rainbow trout fishery.

The stretch of river is well known for producing trophy rainbow trout. The Montana state record rainbow trout, 33.1 pounds, was caught on Aug. 1, 1997, by Jack G. Housel, Jr. at the David Thompson Bridge, just below the dam. It measured 38.62 inches.

The current regulation requires the release of most (96%–99% from creel surveys) fish caught using bait and/or lures.

The agency expects to see strong proponents and opponents for the proposal. The proposed regulation is aimed at not excluding current and historic resource users, according to the proposal.

It’s one of 64 proposals the agency is considering for the 2025-26 fishing regulations. 

For those interested in providing input on how Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is crafting fishing regulations for the next two years, the agency is hosting seven public meetings across the state. The agency is also accepting written comments or online at https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/fishing-regulations.

Written comment may be sent to to fwpfishcomments@mt.gov or Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, Attention: 2025/26 Fishing Regulation Scoping, PO Box 200701, Helena, MT 59620.

In addition, FWP will host meetings regarding the proposals. The schedule follows:     

- Region 1: March 19, 6 p.m., Kalispell, 490 North Meridian Road   

- Region 2: April 10, 6:30 p.m., Missoula, 201 Spurgin Road   

- Region 3: March 28, 6 p.m., Bozeman, 1400 South 19th St.   

- Region 4: April 4, 6 p.m., Great Falls, 4600 Giant Springs Road   

- Region 5: March 14, 6:30 p.m., Billings, 2300 Lake Elmo Drive   

- Region 6: March 13, 6 p.m., Glasgow, 1 Airport Road   

- Region 7: March 21, 6:30 p.m., Miles City, 352 I-94 Business Loop    

In the Western Fishing District, other proposals include adjusting northern pike possession limits, adjusting bag limits on the Blackfoot River and many tributaries and removing a lake trout slot limit on Whitefish Lake.  

FWP is also looking for ideas for regulation changes that aren’t captured in these initial proposals. To answer questions and get feedback on fishing regulations, FWP is hosting public meetings around the state. 

Staff will use the input to refine the regulation proposals that will go before the Fish and Wildlife Commission in October. The fishing regulations proposals that will be considered by commission will be available for public comment in August. The commission will adopt, amend or reject the proposals at its October meeting.   

Montana’s fishing regulations are split into three districts – west, central and east. Each district has standard regulations. Many of the proposals remove exceptions to district standards that are no longer biologically relevant. Others are intended to increase fishing opportunity, enhance conservation efforts for some species, reduce confusion or improve enforceability. All regulation changes are based on criteria or objectives outlined in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan.  

Specific statewide proposals include improving definitions of different types of hooks and adjusting regulations for cleaning and transporting fish.  

In the Central Fishing District, proposals include allowing spearing for northern pike on Hauser and Holter reservoirs, removing spearing for burbot at Tiber Reservoir and Lake Frances, removing exceptions for walleye in the Missouri River from Toston to Canyon Ferry and reducing walleye bag limits from Holter Dam to Black Eagle Dam.  

For the Eastern Fishing District, proposals include clarification of paddlefish regulations because of the new fish bypass channel at Intake, the addition of a tag for paddlefish snagging opportunities in the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, regulations to conserve shortnose gar, and conservative crappie limits on Tongue River Reservoir. 

Fishing regulations are now under a process like hunting regulations, going through a comprehensive public review every two years. Fishing regulations are printed during odd numbered years.