Yes. If you’re 12 or older, you need a Montana fishing license to fish any state water, and “a license” in Montana 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 add up to $31 for a full season. Kids 11 and under fish free, though they still have to follow every bag limit and regulation.1Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fishing License Basics
Who Needs a License
The requirement covers residents and nonresidents alike and applies to every method: fly fishing, spin casting, ice fishing. No gear-based exemptions.1Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fishing License Basics
Children under 12 are fully exempt from all three components. They still have to obey catch limits and seasonal rules, so whoever’s fishing with them should know those.2Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-805 – Licenses for Persons Under 18 Years of Age
The Three Licenses You Have to Buy
Forgetting the AISPP is the mistake that catches out-of-state anglers most often, because plenty of other states don’t require anything like it. All three are mandatory.
Conservation License
Your baseline access pass. It covers entry to most state lands, including fishing access sites, wildlife management areas, and wildlife habitat protection areas. $8 for adult residents (ages 18–61), $10 for nonresidents, and $4 for youth ages 12–17 and residents 62 and older.3Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana FWP – Conservation License
Base Fishing License
This is what actually authorizes you to fish. Residents choose between a full-season license (valid March 1 through the end of February) or a 2-day short-term. Nonresidents get 1-day, 5-day, and full-season options.1Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fishing License Basics
Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass
The AISPP funds Montana’s work against invasives like zebra mussels and Eurasian watermilfoil. It costs $2 for residents and $7.50 for nonresidents, and every angler needs one.4Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-130 – Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass
2026 License Fees
These totals include all three required items. Prices come from Montana FWP’s published 2026 schedule.5Montana FWP. 2026 License Fees
Resident all-in 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 all-in totals:
- Season fishing: $117.50
- 5-day fishing: $73.50
- 1-day fishing: $31.50
What Counts as a Montana Resident
The price gap between resident and nonresident is large enough that residency is worth understanding before you check the resident box. Montana requires you to have physically lived in the state for at least 180 consecutive days immediately before buying a license. You also need supporting ties: filing Montana state income taxes, registering your vehicles here, and not holding resident fishing privileges in another state. A vacation home or business property doesn’t make you a resident.6Montana State Legislature. Montana Code Annotated 2025 – 87-2-102 – Resident Defined
Active-duty military assigned to Montana get resident rates for themselves and their dependents after 30 days in-state, with a copy of their assignment orders and proof of a hunter safety course.7Montana FWP. Residency Requirements
Discounts Worth Knowing About
Seniors 62 and Older
Residents 62+ pay $4 for the Conservation License and $10.50 for the season fishing license. With the $2 AISPP, the season totals $16.50.8Montana FWP. Fishing Licenses and Permits
Residents With Disabilities
Montana residents certified as disabled through FWP get the base fishing license at half price ($10.50), bringing the season total to $20.50. Residents who are legally blind can buy a lifetime fishing license for a one-time $10.9Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-803 – Licenses for Persons With Disabilities
Purple Heart Recipients and Legion of Valor Members
Resident Legion of Valor members can fish with only a Conservation License. Resident Purple Heart recipients can fish and hunt game birds (except wild turkeys) with just a Conservation License and an AISPP. Nonresident Purple Heart recipients get the same treatment, but only on trips arranged by a nonprofit that uses 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 One
Have a valid driver’s license or photo ID and the last four digits of your Social Security number ready.3Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Montana FWP – Conservation License
The quickest option is the FWP Online Licensing System at ols.fwp.mt.gov. Purchases process immediately, and you can store and display the license on the free MyFWP app, which works without cell service. Online transactions carry a 2.9% + $0.30 processing fee.11Montana FWP. FWP Online Licenses
You can also buy in person at FWP regional offices and authorized providers, including many sporting goods stores and outfitters. Double-check your selections before you confirm: FWP doesn’t allow changes or refunds on completed license transactions.11Montana FWP. FWP Online Licenses
When You Don’t Need a License
The exemptions are narrow, and each has conditions.
Free Fishing Weekends
Montana holds two each year: Mother’s Day weekend and Father’s Day weekend. Residents and nonresidents can fish without any license on those days. Every other rule — catch limits, gear restrictions, seasons — still applies.12Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-311 – Free Fishing Weekends
National Parks
Glacier National Park doesn’t require a Montana state license for most park waters. The exception: fishing the Middle Fork of the Flathead River from park lands or bridges requires a Montana license, and state regulations apply.13National Park Service. Fishing – Glacier National Park
Yellowstone runs its own permit system. A Montana license is neither required nor valid there. Anglers 16 and older need a Yellowstone-specific permit, sold at park visitor centers and ranger stations.14National Park Service. Fishing – Yellowstone National Park
Tribal Reservations
Fishing on Montana’s tribal reservations requires a tribal permit, not a state license. Each tribe sets its own regulations, seasons, and fees. Check with the relevant tribal fish and wildlife department before you go.
Educational Events and Licensed Ponds
Participants in FWP-approved angler education events can fish without a license during the event on the designated water.15Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-2-808 – Fishing License Exception for Angler Educational Events and Activities Privately stocked ponds that hold an FWP fish pond license also don’t require a state license. Most other private waters do.
Penalties for Fishing Without a License
It’s a misdemeanor. Conviction carries a fine of $50 to $1,000, up to six months in county detention, or both. The court can also order forfeiture of any hunting, fishing, or trapping licenses you hold and strip your privilege to hunt, fish, trap, or use state recreational lands for whatever period the court sets. Restitution can be tacked on as well.16Montana State Legislature. Montana Code 87-6-301 – Hunting, Fishing, or Trapping Without License
The Violation Can Follow You Home
Montana belongs to the Interstate Wildlife Violator Compact, a reciprocal agreement among 47 states.17CSG National Center for Interstate Compacts. Wildlife Violator Compact A suspension in Montana blocks license sales in every other member state for the same duration. Even an unpaid citation for fishing without a license can land you in the system, freezing you out of buying a license anywhere until you clear the original violation. And buying a license during a suspension is its own separate offense.