Yes — if you’re 12 or older, you need a Montana fishing license to fish any state waters, and “a license” actually means three things bought together: a Conservation License, a base fishing license, and an Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP). For an adult resident, the three together cost $31 for a full season. Kids 11 and under fish free with no license or pass at all, though they still have to follow every bag limit and seasonal regulation.1Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fishing License Basics
Who Needs One
The rule applies to every method of fishing on state waters — fly, spin, bait, ice — and to residents and nonresidents alike. There are no gear-based exemptions.1Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fishing License Basics
Children under 12 are fully exempt from all three items. They still have to follow catch limits and seasonal rules, so whoever is fishing with them should know the regulations for the water they’re on.2Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-805 – Licenses for Persons Under 18 Years of Age
The Three Items You Have to Buy
Forgetting the AISPP is the mistake that catches people most often, because most other states don’t require anything like it.
The Conservation License is the baseline access pass. It covers entry to most state lands, including fishing access sites, wildlife management areas, and wildlife habitat protection areas. It runs $8 for adult residents (18–61), $4 for youth 12–17 and residents 62 and older, and $10 for nonresidents.3Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana FWP – Conservation License
The base fishing license is what actually authorizes you to fish. Residents choose between a full season (valid March 1 through the end of February) or a 2-day short-term license. Nonresidents get 1-day, 5-day, and full-season options.1Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fishing License Basics
The Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass funds the state’s work against zebra mussels, Eurasian watermilfoil, and other invasives. It costs $2 for residents and $7.50 for nonresidents, and every angler must carry it.4Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-130 – Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass
Resident or Nonresident
Montana’s residency test for licensing purposes is stricter than most. You must have physically lived in the state for at least 180 consecutive days immediately before buying a license, and you need supporting ties: filing Montana state income taxes, registering your vehicles in Montana, and holding no resident fishing privileges in another state. A vacation home or Montana business property doesn’t make you a resident.5Montana State Legislature. Montana Code Annotated 2025 – 87-2-102 – Resident Defined
Active-duty military stationed in Montana get a break. If you’re assigned to active duty here and have lived in the state at least 30 days, you and your dependents can buy at resident rates with your assignment orders and proof of hunter safety completion. The 30-day requirement is waived during wartime.6Montana FWP. Residency Requirements
2026 License Fees
The prices below are the full all-in totals, including the Conservation License and AISPP, since you need all three to fish legally.7Montana FWP. 2026 License Fees
Resident totals:
- Season fishing, ages 18–61: $31.00
- Season fishing, ages 62+ or 16–17: $16.50
- Season fishing, ages 12–15: $14.50
- Season fishing, disabled (18–61): $20.50
- 2-day fishing, ages 18–61: $15.00
- 2-day fishing, ages 62+ or 16–17: $11.00
- 2-day fishing, ages 12–15: $9.00
Nonresident totals:
- Season fishing: $117.50
- 5-day fishing: $73.50
- 1-day fishing: $31.50
Discounts Worth Checking Before You Pay Full Price
Residents 62 and older pay $4 for the Conservation License and $10.50 for a season fishing license, which brings the full-season total to $16.50.8Montana FWP. Fishing Licenses and Permits
Montana residents certified as disabled through FWP can buy the base license at half cost ($10.50 instead of $21), making the season total $20.50. Residents who are legally blind qualify for a lifetime fishing license for a one-time $10 fee.9Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-803 – Licenses for Persons With Disabilities
Resident Legion of Valor members can fish with just a Conservation License, no base license required. Resident Purple Heart recipients can fish and hunt game birds (except wild turkeys) with only a Conservation License and an AISPP. Nonresident Purple Heart recipients get the same benefit, but only on fishing or hunting expeditions arranged by a nonprofit using outdoor recreation for veteran rehabilitation.10Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-816 – Licenses for Legion of Valor Members – Purple Heart Awardees
How to Buy
You’ll need a valid driver’s license or photo ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number.3Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana FWP – Conservation License
The fastest route is the FWP Online Licensing System at ols.fwp.mt.gov. Purchases go through immediately, and you can store and display the license through the free MyFWP mobile app, which works without cell service. Online transactions add a processing fee of 2.9% plus $0.30.11Montana FWP. FWP Online Licenses
You can also buy in person at any FWP regional office or from an authorized license provider — many sporting goods stores and outfitters sell them. Once a purchase is complete, it’s final. FWP does not allow changes or refunds, so review your selections before confirming.11Montana FWP. FWP Online Licenses
When You Don’t Need a Montana License
Montana designates two free fishing weekends each year, Mother’s Day weekend and Father’s Day weekend. During those weekends residents and nonresidents can fish without any license, though all other regulations still apply.12Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-311 – Free Fishing Weekends
Glacier National Park does not require a Montana state fishing license for most waters inside park boundaries. The exception is the Middle Fork of the Flathead River when fished from park lands or bridges, where a Montana license is required and state regulations apply.13National Park Service. Fishing – Glacier National Park
Yellowstone runs its own separate permit system. A Montana license is neither required nor valid there; anglers 16 and older need a Yellowstone-specific permit from park visitor centers or ranger stations.14National Park Service. Fishing – Yellowstone National Park
Fishing on tribal reservations requires a tribal permit instead of a state license. Each tribe sets its own seasons, regulations, and fees, so contact the relevant tribal fish and wildlife department before heading out.
Participants in FWP-approved angler educational events can fish without a license during the event on the specified water.15Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-808 – Fishing License Exception for Angler Educational Events and Activities
Penalties for Fishing Without a License
Fishing without a license in Montana is a misdemeanor. A conviction carries a fine of $50 to $1,000, up to six months in the county detention center, or both. The court can also order forfeiture of any current hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses, strip your privilege to hunt, fish, trap, or use state lands for recreation for whatever period it sets, and order restitution.16Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-6-301 – Hunting, Fishing, or Trapping Without License
A Montana violation can follow you home. The state belongs to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, an agreement among 47 states that reciprocally recognizes license suspensions.17CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts. Wildlife Violator Compact If Montana suspends your fishing privileges, every other member state can refuse to sell you a license for the duration. Even an unpaid citation for fishing without a license can land you in the compact’s system, blocking license purchases anywhere until you resolve the original violation. Buying a license during a suspension is itself a separate offense.