Montana has four unique paddlefish seasons, and anglers may select only one area to fish for paddlefish:
Upper Missouri River from Fort Peck Dam upstream to Fort Benton (White Harvest Tag)
Yellowstone River 1) upstream edge of Tongue River confluence to Sullivan Creek confluence (1/2 mile downstream of Calypso Bridge), and 2) Glendive Black Bridge to North Dakota border (Yellow Harvest Tag)
Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam to North Dakota border (Green Harvest Tag)
Fort Peck Dredge Cut archery-only season (Blue Harvest Tag)
Mandatory Reporting
Any paddlefish harvested anywhere in Montana MUST be reported to FWP.
Reporting requirements differ among the four tag colors. Reference the Paddlefish Harvest Reporting section under each tag color for specific instructions on how to report a harvested paddlefish.
*For all tag areas (white, blue, yellow, green), anglers may transport an unreported paddlefish harvest due to lack of cell phone communication services, once in communication services a person shall have 48 hours to report the paddlefish harvest.
Harvest Reporting Line: (877) FWP-WILD or 1 (406) 444-0356
Upper Missouri River from Fort Peck Dam to Fort Benton (White Tag)
For this fishery, White Harvest Tags are issued through a lottery system. Anglers must draw one of those tags to participate in catching and keeping a paddlefish from that section of the river. The number of tags allocated each year may change to ensure sustainable population management. In 2024, 1,000 tags were issued.
Successful applicants (for the Upper Missouri fishery) will receive the paddlefish harvest tag (plastic, self-locking tag) in the mail prior to May 1, 2025.
Application Deadline: Applications must be received by April 1, 2025 at 5 p.m.
Unsuccessful paddlefish drawing applicants will be issued a catch and release only license for the Upper Missouri River. Anglers who do not wish to participate in the paddlefish drawing can purchase a catch and release license from a FWP office or online beginning March 1, 2025.
Anglers participating in the catch and release fishery must possess a valid Conservation License, Fishing License and Paddlefish catch and release only license.
Anglers are encouraged to monitor river flows at the USGS Landusky flow gauge. Paddlefish typically show up at locations near the Fred Robinson Bridge when flows >10,000 cfs.
Applying
All anglers, all ages, resident and nonresident, must posses a valid Conservation License and Fishing License in order to apply.
Anglers will have the opportunity to apply individually or as a party (up to 5 in the party).
Paddlefish Harvest Reporting and Paddlefish Reward Hats
For the White Tag, anglers must report a harvested paddlefish within 48 hours, options include onsite reporting station, phone hotline (1-877-FWP-WILD or 406-444-0356), or online at myfwp.mt.gov.
Anglers wishing to receive a unique Paddlefish hat will need to submit all mandatory biological information from their harvested fish (e.g. eye-fork length, weight, sex, jaw tag no.) along with a jaw sample from their harvested fish at one of four self-creel stations located at the following campgrounds (Kipp, Jones Island, Slippery Ann, and Rock Creek (see below for location information)).
Yellowstone River from upstream edge of Tongue River confluence to Sullivan Creek (½ mile downstream of Calypso Bridge, west of Terry) and Glendive Black Bridge to North Dakota Line (Yellow Tag)
This fishery is managed under a shared harvest target with the Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam (Green Tag) so the annual harvest will not exceed 1,000 paddlefish. FWP will announce a 24-hour closure of the harvest season through a public news release. Closure can be immediate at Intake Fishing Access Site or Sidney Bridge Fishing Access Site to prevent exceeding the estimated harvest target. Other yellow tag areas will close as noted in the 24-hour notice. For current information on harvest status call the Miles City FWP office at 406-234-0900 or visit the FWP R7 Facebook page in May and June.
Harvest tags are sold over the counter at FWP regional offices, they are NOT sold online.
Anglers are encouraged to monitor stream flow at the USGS Sidney Bridge and USGS Miles City stream gages, as large numbers of Paddlefish are not typically available upstream of Sidney Bridge unless flows are high and increasing (>20,000-30,000 cfs).
Season Dates
May 15 – June 15
Regulations
All standard paddlefish regulations remain in effect during the season.
Paddlefish must be reported by 9 p.m. the day of harvest or prior to transporting a paddlefish or fillets from the harvest location (by vehicle or boat). Anglers must obtain and retain the “reference number” provided by the phone hotline as a transport authorization number.
Paddlefish may be reported at (877) FWP-WILD or 1 (406) 444-0356 or online at myfwp.mt.gov.
*Anglers may transport an unreported paddlefish harvest due to lack of cell phone communication services, once in communication services a person shall have 48 hours to report the paddlefish harvest.
Anglers are encouraged to submit paddlefish jaw sections for aging at FWP creel stations (Intake Fishing Access Site) or self-check stations located at Tongue River Confluence, Powder River Confluence, or Sidney Bridge Fishing Access Site.
Missouri River Below Fort Peck (Green Tag)
Missouri River Below Fort Peck Dam to North Dakota Line (Green Tag)
This fishery (Green Tag) is managed under a shared harvest target with the Yellowstone River (Yellow Tag) so that annual harvest will not exceed 1,000 paddlefish. FWP will announce a 24-hour closure of the harvest season through a public news release. One Paddlefish per angler.
Harvest tags are sold over the counter at FWP regional offices, they are NOT sold online. There is no limit to the number of Green Harvest Tags sold. For current information on harvest status call the Miles City FWP office at 406-234-0900 or visit the FWP R7 Facebook page in May and June.
There is no catch-and-release allowed by anglers holding a Green Harvest Tag. Any paddlefish caught must be retained. Harvest of Paddlefish by anglers holding a Green Harvest Tag is allowed during all days of the season unless the 1,000 fish harvest target is met prior to June 15.
Anglers are encouraged to monitor stream flow at the USGS Wolf Point and USGS Culbertson stream gages, as large numbers of paddlefish are not typically available in the Missouri River unless flows are high (>15,000 cfs).
Season Dates
May 15 – June 15
Regulations
All standard paddlefish regulations remain in effect during the season.
Paddlefish must be reported by 9 p.m. the day of harvest or prior to transporting a paddlefish or fillets from the harvest location (by vehicle or boat). Anglers must obtain and retain the “reference number” provided by the phone hotline as a transport authorization number.
Paddlefish may be reported at (877) FWP-WILD or 1 (406) 444-0356 or online at myfwp.mt.gov.
*Anglers may transport an unreported paddlefish harvest due to lack of cell phone communication services, once in communication services a person shall have 48 hours to report the paddlefish harvest.
Fort Peck Dredge Cuts (Blue Tag)
Fort Peck Dredge Cuts (Archery Only; Blue Tag)
This fishery is for bow and arrow-only and is open July 1 through August 31. One paddlefish per angler. An unused Blue Harvest Tag is required to fish for paddlefish here. No snagging is allowed. Blue Harvest Tags will be available as electronic tags only (e-tags) in 2025. Blue harvest tags can be purchased over the counter at FWP offices, license vendors, or online at anytime. There is no limit to the number of Blue Harvest Tags sold. Typically, around 200 tags are sold each season, and anywhere from 20 to 50 fish are harvested.
Season Dates
July 1 - August 31
Regulations
All standard paddlefish regulations remain in effect during the season.
Anglers are encouraged to visit the Fort Peck Dredge Cuts Paddlefish Dashboard at LINK to find information regarding tag sales, harvest metrics, tag boundary maps, and locations of self-creel boxes.
Paddlefish Harvest Reporting, Tag Validation, and Paddlefish Reward Hats
Anglers pursuing Paddlefish in the Fort Peck Dredge Cuts need to validate their electronic tag when they harvest a Paddlefish. Following validation, anglers will need to answer prompted questions regarding the biological information from their harvested fish to complete reporting (e.g. eye-fork length, weight, sex, jaw tag no.) Finally, anglers wishing to receive a unique Paddlefish hat will need to submit a jaw sample from their harvested fish at one of three self-creel stations located around the Dredge Cuts (see below for location information).
