Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks - Region 5

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks - Region 5 FWP's Region 5 page provides communication and outreach for south-central Montana.
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FWP's Mission is to steward the fish, wildlife parks and recreational resources for the public, now and into the future.

We just wrapped up a great season of kids fishing days at Lake Elmo! These events are part of our Hooked on Fishing prog...
06/12/2026

We just wrapped up a great season of kids fishing days at Lake Elmo! These events are part of our Hooked on Fishing program, which aims to introduce more kids to the sport of fishing.

At our fishing days, students learn about fish identification, water safety, how to cast a rod, and put together their own rod to take home.

This year, we had almost 800 students from 13 schools. We couldn't do these events without community support from Montana Pikemasters - Billings Chapter, Inc, Billings Chapter of Walleyes Unlimited of Montana, Magic City Optimists, Heights Optimist Club and Friendship House of Christian Service.

FWP has some great teacher professional development opportunities coming up this summer!
06/10/2026

FWP has some great teacher professional development opportunities coming up this summer!

☀️Summer heat is rapidly approaching! What does low snowpack and predicted hotter, dryer weather mean for Montana's fish...
06/04/2026

☀️Summer heat is rapidly approaching! What does low snowpack and predicted hotter, dryer weather mean for Montana's fisheries?

☀️FWP is hosting a virtual townhall meeting to discuss concerns and tools to help manage our fisheries this summer. There will be time for public questions.

☀️TODAY Thursday, June 4 at noon
☀️Join online here: https://mt-gov.zoom.us/j/85494196966

The Fish & Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, June 12 at 8 a.m.Online commenting for many agenda items has already cl...
06/01/2026

The Fish & Wildlife Commission will meet Friday, June 12 at 8 a.m.

Online commenting for many agenda items has already closed. You can still comment on newly added agenda items, including: Elk Hunting Access Agreements, MaltEurop Renewal, Beaver Translocations and Mountain Lion Regs - CMR & ULB. Comment online here: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/june-2026-meeting

You can also comment during the meeting in person or virtually on Zoom. To comment on Zoom, you need to register beforehand. For more info, visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/commission/june-2026-meeting

🛑The deadline to apply for Antelope, Deer B, Elk B, Sandhill Crane, and Swan licenses is June 1st!Applications must be s...
05/30/2026

🛑The deadline to apply for Antelope, Deer B, Elk B, Sandhill Crane, and Swan licenses is June 1st!

Applications must be submitted online, at an FWP office, or through a License Ambassador. Most FWP offices that sell licenses are open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

For additional details and to apply, visit: https://fwp.mt.gov/buyandapply

Now that's a big mayfly! We had a special visitor at our Billings office next to Lake Elmo this morning. Hexagenia mayfl...
05/29/2026

Now that's a big mayfly! We had a special visitor at our Billings office next to Lake Elmo this morning. Hexagenia mayflies are known for their large size. In some parts of their range, especially in the Midwest, hatches are so huge they can appear on Doppler radar.

Hexagenia use an anti-predator adaptation called predator satiation--they appear in such massive numbers they physically overwhelm predators like fish and birds in order for some to successfully reproduce. These "Hex hatches" are a special event for both fishermen and fish!

Like all mayflies, eggs are laid in the water, and juveniles live in the water for 1-2 years before hatching into their terrestrial adult stage. Adults only live for about 24-48 hours, giving them the name "Ephemeroptera."

Learn more about Montana's mayflies here: https://fieldguide.mt.gov/displayFamily.aspx?order=Ephemeroptera

Address

2300 Lake Elmo Drive
Billings, MT
59105

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 5pm
Tuesday 8am - 5pm
Wednesday 8am - 5pm
Thursday 8am - 5pm
Friday 8am - 5pm

Telephone

+14062472940

Website

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