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Fishing in the Flathead

Once runoff calms, Montana’s streams and lakes should be ideal this summer

By Dillon Tabish
Small streams across Western Montana opened to fishing last weekend as the unofficial start to the summer fishing season got underway. Greg Lindstrom | Flathead Beacon

The third Saturday in May marks the opening day of stream fishing in Montana. Most of the larger rivers are open year-round but smaller tributaries are typically restricted during the winter months.

Mark Deleray, regional fisheries manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, expects a good summer of fishing with solid flows persisting through fall. These next few weeks could be challenging due to spring runoff, Deleray said, but smaller streams could be favorable.

“A lot of the larger rivers will be very difficult to fish for a while, but some of the smaller tributaries will be high but relatively clear,” he said.

Once runoff calms, Montana’s streams and lakes should be ideal this summer.

“We should have a good fishing season ahead,” he said.

Deleray encourages all anglers to pick up a 2017 regulation booklet and review the specific regulations and refresh themselves on proper catch-and-release techniques.

“Most people don’t keep every fish they catch, and we want to make sure the fish survive,” he said. “There are good ways and bad ways to release fish.”

Deleray said all anglers should review regulations for preventing the spread of aquatic invasive mussels to help defend the Flathead basin from the harmful invaders.

“We really want folks to make sure their equipment is clean and boats are dry, and they’re not transporting unintentionally any of these organisms,” he said.

For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov.