With snow falling in many of Montana’s valleys and winter sports enthusiasts looking to get outside, the state’s Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks has some ice fishing pointers and safety tips .

Many of the state’s fishing spots are open in the winter, though specific regulations on what can be taken when, what bait can be used and which places have seasonal closures is always something to bear in mind.

Checking both ice conditions and Montana’s 2025-26 fishing regulations is a good idea before getting out on the ice. FWP suggests fishing during the day when fish are most active, and that people might have some luck around dams. Fish change their behavior in the winter , often moving to areas with less temperature variance. They also tend to slow down and look for

See Full Page