Stanton Creek

MT Western District Set Lines

Setlines are not allowed in the Western Fishing District.

MT Crossbow

Fishing with a crossbow is unlawful in Montana.

MT Noodling/Catching Fish by Hand

It is unlawful to catch any fish by hand in Montana.

MT Western District Bait Restrictions

Bait Regulations•No fish species may be used as live bait in the Western Fishing District. Possession of live bait fish or use of live bait fish is prohibited in the Western Fishing District.• It is unlawful to release live bait of any kind into Montana waters; do not empty any live bait containers at your fishing site.•Only non-game fish native to the Western Fishing District (large scale sucker, longnose sucker, northern pikeminnow, peamouth chub, redside shiner, longnose dace) may be captured and used as dead bait and may be taken for use as dead bait in the following manner:- with hook and line; or- with seines no larger than 12 feet x 4 feet; or- with minnow traps (the dimensions shall not exceed 24 inches x 12 inches x 12 inches); or- with cast nets (maximum 6-foot radius) and dip nets (no larger than 3 feet x 3 feet).•All unattended fishing devices (crayfish traps, minnow traps, fish traps, etc.) must have the angler's name and phone number or name and an individual identifying number issued by the department.Dead Bait•No trout, salmon, whitefish, or sculpins may be used whole or in parts/ pieces as dead bait.• The eggs of char, cisco, arctic grayling, salmon or trout may be used as bait. •Only non-game fish native to the Western Fishing District (large scale sucker, longnose sucker, northern pikeminnow, peamouth chub, redside shiner, longnose dace) may be captured and used as dead bait. All other non-game fish caught or purchased must be preserved by freezing,salting or brining.• Parts/pieces of bass or yellow perch may be used as bait if edible portionsare not wasted.• No amphibians or reptiles may be captured and used as dead bait. •Dead crayfish (whole, parts, or pieces) and other invertebrates may beused as bait on all waters not restricted to artificial lures only.Live Bait•No fish species may be used as live bait in the Western Fishing District. Possession of live bait fish or use of live bait fish is prohibited in the Western Fishing District.•No amphibians, reptiles, or crayfish may be used as live bait in the Western Fishing District.•Live animals such as meal worms, red worms, night crawlers, leeches, maggots, and insects may be used as bait on all waters not restricted to artificial lures only.•Leeches may only be imported into Montana from FWP-approved leech dealers. Anglers who import leeches must have in their possession a bill- of-sale (a receipt) from the approved out-of-state leech dealer when fishing with leeches in Montana.

MT Western District Bow and Arrow

All waters are closed to bow-and-arrow taking of game and non-game fish, except as noted under District Exceptions.

MT Western District Snagging

All waters are closed to snagging of game and non-game fish, except as otherwise noted under District Exceptions.

MT Western District Spearing

All waters are closed to spearing of game and non-game fish except open for spearing northern pike through the ice or as otherwise noted under District Exceptions.

MT Western District Ice Fishing on Lakes and Reservoirs

2 lines with 2 hooks per line on all lakes and reservoirs open to fishing. When a line is used through the ice, the angler need not be in immediate control but must be in the vicinity and in visual contact with the line.

MT Western District Hook and Line on Rivers and Streams

1 line with 2 hooks per line, with or without a rod. The rod or line must be attended and in the angler's immediate control.

MT Western District Hook and Line on Lakes and Reservoirs

2 lines with 2 hooks per line, with or without a rod. Each line must be attended and in the angler's immediate control.