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Fishing regulations at Yellowstone River, MT
Disclaimer: Always check local fishing regulations, water access rights and land ownership before fishing, regardless of any catches logged in that area by the Fishbrain community. Fishbrain has mapped millions of acres of government-owned land across the USA to help you identify potential fishing access, but you are responsible for ensuring compliance with all legal requirements.
Fishing regulations in Montana can change throughout the year. Make sure to check this page before fishing for the most up to date rules and regulations for the current season. Local regulations govern when you can fish, the max size of the fish you can keep, how many fish you can keep, and more.
Below you will see fishing regulations for catching Channel catfish as of April 1st, 2026. To view regulations for a different fish species, please click on your preferred species in the drop-down.
Channel catfish
Seasons
Open
Bag limit
10
Each angler may take all of the limits listed in the chart, unless otherwise noted in the Eastern District Exceptions. For species not listed, there are no limits on the number of fish that may be taken or possessed. For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations, Eastern Region
The Eastern Fishing District includes all waters lying east of the Central Fishing District.Note: Roadways that are used as boundaries between the Central and Eastern Fishing Districts are interpreted to be in the Central Fishing District. . For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations, Eastern Region
Fort Peck Reservation - Tribal Boundary Water Regulations: Non-tribal members licensed through the State of Montana and/or Fort Peck Tribes that are fishing in waters that form the exterior boundaries of the Reservation -- Big Muddy Creek, Missouri River and/or Milk River -- are permitted to harvest the following limits:
An import permit is required to bring live fish into Montana. It is unlawful to possess or transport live fish away from the body of water in which the fish were taken except for transportation of fish for valid (approved) commercial purposes or as authorized by FWP. For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
Anglers who move from one fishing water to another may possess the limit of fish allowed only for the water on which they are currently fishing.For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
The Eastern Fishing District includes all waters lying east of the Central Fishing District.Note: Roadways that are used as boundaries between the Central and Eastern Fishing Districts are interpreted to be in the Central Fishing District. . For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations, Eastern Region
Fort Peck Reservation - Tribal Boundary Water Regulations: Non-tribal members licensed through the State of Montana and/or Fort Peck Tribes that are fishing in waters that form the exterior boundaries of the Reservation -- Big Muddy Creek, Missouri River and/or Milk River -- are permitted to harvest the following limits:
- Burbot (Ling) 5 daily and in possession
- Channel Catfish 10 daily and 20 in possession
- Northern Pike 10 daily and in possession
- Paddlefish 1 per season and in possession
- Sauger/Walleye 5 daily and in 10 possession
- Pallid Sturgeon 0 All waters are closed for fishing Pallid Sturgeon
- Shovelnose Sturgeon 5 daily and in possession
An import permit is required to bring live fish into Montana. It is unlawful to possess or transport live fish away from the body of water in which the fish were taken except for transportation of fish for valid (approved) commercial purposes or as authorized by FWP. For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
Anglers who move from one fishing water to another may possess the limit of fish allowed only for the water on which they are currently fishing.For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
BIGHORN RIVER (east of Billings)
Entire river- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
BOXELDER RESERVOIR aka Bolster Dam (Sheridan County)
- Yellow perch: 25 daily and 50 in possession.
FORT PECK DREDGE CUTS (west of Park Grove Bridge and Nelson Dredge)
- Bow and Arrow: open July 1 through Aug. 31 for paddlefish. 1 per season and in possession. An unused blue paddlefish tag is required to fish for paddlefish.
- Combined trout: 2 trout daily and in possession.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line on open water and 6 lines with 6 hooks per line through the ice.
- Snagging: no snagging allowed.
FORT PECK RESERVOIR
Fort Peck Dam to Beauchamp Creek and CMR Trail 837- Dead cisco can be used as bait. Can only be collected from the Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam (in Montana) or in Fort Peck Reservoir.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Spearing: chinook salmon and lake trout may be taken by spear or gig through the ice Dec. 1 through March 31.
- Snagging: allowed only for chinook salmon from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.
- Bow and Arrow: allowed for chinook salmon from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15.
HOME RUN POND (Glasgow)
- One rod only per angler.
JUDITH RIVER (from Hwy 81 downstream to mouth)
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
LAKE ELMO
- Bow and arrow fishing prohibited.
MARIAS RIVER
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 2 may be a sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Combined trout: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches.
MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (Sheridan County)
- Refuge open to fishing year-round.
- Consult refuge specific regulations available at the office, informational kiosks, or online: fws.gov/refuge/Medicine_Lake/visit/
MISSOURI RIVER
Entire river- Snagging: it is unlawful to snag for fish other than paddlefish on the Missouri River downstream from Fort Benton; any fish other than paddlefish must be immediately released alive.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be a sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Combined trout: 2 trout daily and in possession.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line on open water and 6 lines with 6 hooks per line through the ice.
- Closed from March 1 through July 31 to fishing and wading as posted.
MUSSELSHELL RIVER
Downstream from where North and South forks meet to confluence with Fort Peck- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Channel catfish: 10 daily and in possession.
POWDER RIVER
Downstream from Highway 10 Bridge- Snagging: unlawful to snag for fish other than paddlefish; any fish other than paddlefish must be immediately released alive.
ROSS RESERVOIR (Blaine County)
- Open third Saturday in May through Nov. 30.
SPOTTED EAGLE POND (Miles City)
- 5 daily and in possession, any combination of species.
TONGUE RIVER
Tongue River Reservoir to Wyoming State Border- Fish species allowed for use as live bait are: fathead minnow, flathead chub, longnose dace, lake chub, creek chub, white sucker, and longnose sucker.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 1 may be sauger and 10 in possession only 2 may be sauger.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line all year.
TONGUE RIVER RESERVOIR
- Fish species allowed for use as live bait are: fathead minnow, flathead chub, longnose dace, lake chub, creek chub, white sucker, and longnose sucker.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 1 may be a sauger and 10 in possession only 2 may be sauger.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 6 lines with 6 hooks per line through the ice.
WARM SPRINGS CREEK (Fergus County)
- Combined trout: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches.
WIND CREEK (Blaine County)
- Closed entire year from Clear Creek road crossing to Ross Reservoir Dam.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER
Springdale Bridge FAS to the North Dakota Border- Smallmouth bass: 10 daily and in possession.
- Combined trout: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches, all may be cutthroat trout.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 2 may be sauger and 10 in possession only 4 may be sauger.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 2 may be sauger and 10 in possession only 4 may be sauger.
- Snagging: unlawful to snag for fish other than paddlefish; any fish other than paddlefish must be immediately released alive.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line all year.
- Paddlefish snagging is prohibited within entire length (2.0 miles) of the Intake Bypass Channel (closure defined as sections of the bypass channel with streambanks on both sides).
Ictalurus punctatus
Each angler may take all of the limits listed in the chart, unless otherwise noted in the Eastern District Exceptions. For species not listed, there are no limits on the number of fish that may be taken or possessed. For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations, Eastern Region
The Eastern Fishing District includes all waters lying east of the Central Fishing District.Note: Roadways that are used as boundaries between the Central and Eastern Fishing Districts are interpreted to be in the Central Fishing District. . For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations, Eastern Region
Fort Peck Reservation - Tribal Boundary Water Regulations: Non-tribal members licensed through the State of Montana and/or Fort Peck Tribes that are fishing in waters that form the exterior boundaries of the Reservation -- Big Muddy Creek, Missouri River and/or Milk River -- are permitted to harvest the following limits:
An import permit is required to bring live fish into Montana. It is unlawful to possess or transport live fish away from the body of water in which the fish were taken except for transportation of fish for valid (approved) commercial purposes or as authorized by FWP. For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
Anglers who move from one fishing water to another may possess the limit of fish allowed only for the water on which they are currently fishing.For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
The Eastern Fishing District includes all waters lying east of the Central Fishing District.Note: Roadways that are used as boundaries between the Central and Eastern Fishing Districts are interpreted to be in the Central Fishing District. . For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations, Eastern Region
Fort Peck Reservation - Tribal Boundary Water Regulations: Non-tribal members licensed through the State of Montana and/or Fort Peck Tribes that are fishing in waters that form the exterior boundaries of the Reservation -- Big Muddy Creek, Missouri River and/or Milk River -- are permitted to harvest the following limits:
- Burbot (Ling) 5 daily and in possession
- Channel Catfish 10 daily and 20 in possession
- Northern Pike 10 daily and in possession
- Paddlefish 1 per season and in possession
- Sauger/Walleye 5 daily and in 10 possession
- Pallid Sturgeon 0 All waters are closed for fishing Pallid Sturgeon
- Shovelnose Sturgeon 5 daily and in possession
An import permit is required to bring live fish into Montana. It is unlawful to possess or transport live fish away from the body of water in which the fish were taken except for transportation of fish for valid (approved) commercial purposes or as authorized by FWP. For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
Anglers who move from one fishing water to another may possess the limit of fish allowed only for the water on which they are currently fishing.For more information please see Montana Fishing Regulations
BIGHORN RIVER (east of Billings)
Entire river- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
BOXELDER RESERVOIR aka Bolster Dam (Sheridan County)
- Yellow perch: 25 daily and 50 in possession.
FORT PECK DREDGE CUTS (west of Park Grove Bridge and Nelson Dredge)
- Bow and Arrow: open July 1 through Aug. 31 for paddlefish. 1 per season and in possession. An unused blue paddlefish tag is required to fish for paddlefish.
- Combined trout: 2 trout daily and in possession.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line on open water and 6 lines with 6 hooks per line through the ice.
- Snagging: no snagging allowed.
FORT PECK RESERVOIR
Fort Peck Dam to Beauchamp Creek and CMR Trail 837- Dead cisco can be used as bait. Can only be collected from the Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck Dam (in Montana) or in Fort Peck Reservoir.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Spearing: chinook salmon and lake trout may be taken by spear or gig through the ice Dec. 1 through March 31.
- Snagging: allowed only for chinook salmon from Oct. 1 through Nov. 30.
- Bow and Arrow: allowed for chinook salmon from Oct. 1 through Oct. 15.
HOME RUN POND (Glasgow)
- One rod only per angler.
JUDITH RIVER (from Hwy 81 downstream to mouth)
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
LAKE ELMO
- Bow and arrow fishing prohibited.
MARIAS RIVER
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 2 may be a sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Combined trout: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches.
MEDICINE LAKE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE (Sheridan County)
- Refuge open to fishing year-round.
- Consult refuge specific regulations available at the office, informational kiosks, or online: fws.gov/refuge/Medicine_Lake/visit/
MISSOURI RIVER
Entire river- Snagging: it is unlawful to snag for fish other than paddlefish on the Missouri River downstream from Fort Benton; any fish other than paddlefish must be immediately released alive.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be a sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Combined trout: 2 trout daily and in possession.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line on open water and 6 lines with 6 hooks per line through the ice.
- Closed from March 1 through July 31 to fishing and wading as posted.
MUSSELSHELL RIVER
Downstream from where North and South forks meet to confluence with Fort Peck- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily, only 2 may be sauger. Possession limit is 10, only 4 may be sauger.
- Channel catfish: 10 daily and in possession.
POWDER RIVER
Downstream from Highway 10 Bridge- Snagging: unlawful to snag for fish other than paddlefish; any fish other than paddlefish must be immediately released alive.
ROSS RESERVOIR (Blaine County)
- Open third Saturday in May through Nov. 30.
SPOTTED EAGLE POND (Miles City)
- 5 daily and in possession, any combination of species.
TONGUE RIVER
Tongue River Reservoir to Wyoming State Border- Fish species allowed for use as live bait are: fathead minnow, flathead chub, longnose dace, lake chub, creek chub, white sucker, and longnose sucker.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 1 may be sauger and 10 in possession only 2 may be sauger.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line all year.
TONGUE RIVER RESERVOIR
- Fish species allowed for use as live bait are: fathead minnow, flathead chub, longnose dace, lake chub, creek chub, white sucker, and longnose sucker.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 1 may be a sauger and 10 in possession only 2 may be sauger.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 6 lines with 6 hooks per line through the ice.
WARM SPRINGS CREEK (Fergus County)
- Combined trout: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches.
WIND CREEK (Blaine County)
- Closed entire year from Clear Creek road crossing to Ross Reservoir Dam.
YELLOWSTONE RIVER
Springdale Bridge FAS to the North Dakota Border- Smallmouth bass: 10 daily and in possession.
- Combined trout: 5 daily and in possession, only 1 over 18 inches, all may be cutthroat trout.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 2 may be sauger and 10 in possession only 4 may be sauger.
- Sauger/walleye: 5 daily only 2 may be sauger and 10 in possession only 4 may be sauger.
- Snagging: unlawful to snag for fish other than paddlefish; any fish other than paddlefish must be immediately released alive.
- Hook and Line/Setlines: 2 lines with 2 hooks per line all year.
- Paddlefish snagging is prohibited within entire length (2.0 miles) of the Intake Bypass Channel (closure defined as sections of the bypass channel with streambanks on both sides).
Regulations for
46°17′56.9″N 107°05′27.2″W
FAQ about Yellowstone River fishing
the Yellowstone River is a stream located in Treasure County, Montana, United States. It is also intersecting with Carbon County, Montana. Its coordinates are:
46°17′56.9″N 107°05′27.2″W
.Find the best fishing spots on the Yellowstone River by looking at where other anglers have caught fish. This can easily be done in the where it is also possible to see big fish potential and how good fishing is right now along with Garmin® depth maps.
The most common species in the Yellowstone River are:
- Channel catfish - 125 members reported to have caught this fish
- Brown trout - 125 members reported to have caught this fish
- Rainbow trout - 111 members reported to have caught this fish
The latest Yellowstone River fishing reports are:
- @Rayflyfish1211 reported a nice Rainbow trout.
- @Rayflyfish1211 reported a nice Rainbow trout.
- @briangesch reported a nice Common carp.
- @briangesch reported a nice Common carp.
- @Breckin_Long reported a nice Northern pike.
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