Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Region 3)

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (Region 3) FWP's Region 3 page provides communication and outreach for southwestern Montana. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management.

FWP's mission is to steward the fish, wildlife, parks, and recreational resources for the public, now and into the future. FWP's administrative Region 3 is located in southwest Montana and includes the counties of Beaverhead, Broadwater, Gallatin, Jefferson, Lewis and Clark, Madison, Park, Silver Bow, and part of Deer Lodge. Region 3 encompasses 18,089 square miles, which is more than 12 percent o

f the total land area of Montana. About 60 percent of the region is made up of public lands administered by the U.S. Southwest Montana is made up of broad valleys comprised of prairie habitats of grasslands, sagebrush, and wooded riparian areas rising to foothills and mountains as high as 11,000 feet in elevation. Most of the lower lands are privately-owned, while most of the higher reaches are federally-owned by the U.S. Forest Service or Bureau of Land Management. Region 3 is home to nine state parks, including Montana's oldest—Lewis and Clark Caverns—and Bannack State Park, the site of the first Territorial Capital. The region is headwaters to some of the most renowned trout rivers in the U.S., including the Madison, Gallatin, Jefferson, upper Missouri, upper Yellowstone, Beaverhead, and Big Hole. About 26 percent of Montana's angling takes place in Region 3, and the region boasts 95 fishing access sites. Big game hunting is a major draw in southwest Montana. Approximately 50 percent of the elk harvest in the entire state happens in Region 3.

Fisheries staff with FWP have completed spring sampling, which provides estimates for trout abundances in southwestern M...
06/12/2026

Fisheries staff with FWP have completed spring sampling, which provides estimates for trout abundances in southwestern Montana rivers. Results from these surveys are now available, along with abundance estimates from rivers that were sampled last fall.

Trout abundance estimates in many areas have increased, including some sections of the Beaverhead, Big Hole, Madison and Gallatin rivers.

For a full summary, visit fwp.mt.gov/homepage/news/2026/jun/0610-fish-estimates

This year’s spring sampling marked the third and final year of tagging trout in the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Ruby and lower Madison rivers, with tagging in the upper Madison River slated for this fall. Staff will continue monitoring tagged fish for the coming years to better understand how environmental conditions, such as water temperature and flows, influence survival, as well as potential angling effects.

Anglers who report catching tagged fish substantively contribute to the informed management of these fisheries by helping researchers identify individual fish. FWP and Montana State University have partnered with Montana Trout Unlimited to host drawings for guided fishing trips, equipment and other prizes for anglers who submit reports of catching fish with blue tags. Yellow tag reports are each worth a prize of $100. Reward opportunities will continue in 2026.

To learn more about the research effort and how to report a tagged fish, visit fwp.mt.gov/conservation/fisheries-management/trout-mgmt-sw-mt

Fisheries staff with FWP confirmed recent reports of invasive fish in community ponds in Three Forks and Livingston. FWP...
06/11/2026

Fisheries staff with FWP confirmed recent reports of invasive fish in community ponds in Three Forks and Livingston.

FWP received two reports from anglers who observed northern pike in the Three Forks Ponds, which are less than a mile from the Madison River. Fisheries staff confirmed these reports on May 28 when two pike were captured by gillnetting.

FWP also heard from anglers in late May who noticed bass in a pond in Livingston commonly known as the Sacajawea Lagoon, which is along Fleshman Creek adjacent to the Yellowstone River. FWP staff sampled the pond on June 1 and caught three smallmouth bass and six largemouth bass.

While northern pike, smallmouth bass and largemouth bass are found in other areas of Montana, they are not native to the upper Missouri or upper Yellowstone river basins.

FWP is aware of introduced species in additional community ponds elsewhere, such as the River Rock Pond in Belgrade. In such cases, the fish were introduced illegally. State law prohibits transporting any live fish away from the body of water where it was taken, with only a few exceptions noted in fishing regulations. Landowners with private ponds or community ponds must obtain a license to stock fish, and only approved species may be used.

Illegal transportation and introduction of fish into other waterbodies can be detrimental to existing fisheries, especially for native species. Aquatic invasive species can be extremely difficult or impossible to remove once established.

FWP staff are continuing to assess how best to mitigate concerns caused by these most recent discoveries. Montana’s Statewide Fisheries Management Plan contains possible management tools for fish removal based on local circumstances. These options will be considered through the same process as other management removal projects, which follow the Montana Environmental Policy Act.

FWP relies on tips from the public about crimes against wildlife resources and state lands, including illegal fish introductions. Anyone with possible information is encouraged to visit tipmont.mt.gov to provide details. You may be eligible for a reward of up to $1,000.

To learn more about preventing the spread of aquatic invasive species, visit fwp.mt.gov/conservation/aquatic-invasive-species

06/10/2026

Carter’s Bridge Fishing Access Site sees thousands of visitors every year. It’s a great place to enjoy the upper Yellowstone River near Livingston. Safe public access to places like this is a top priority for FWP.

Like many other day-use sites, Carter’s Bridge FAS is open daily from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. This site has no campgrounds, and overnight camping is prohibited. These rules have been in place for many years for public safety and resource protection. For a list of sites that offer camping, visit myfwp.mt.gov/fishMT/explore

FWP recently installed an automated gate at the site entrance to Carter’s Bridge FAS. This is to ensure public safety and prevent vandalism and other illicit activities from happening overnight. The gate will automatically open at 5 a.m. and close at 10 p.m. daily. Visitors should plan accordingly.

The gate will open from inside the site for visitors who are unable to exit before 10 p.m. due to extenuating circumstances, such as unexpected delays while floating the river. Just approach the gate from inside the site, and it will open.

The site is under video surveillance to prevent vandalism and other illicit activities.

Visitors can help keep Carter’s Bridge FAS and other sites open and in good shape by following site rules, practicing Leave No Trace, and reporting crimes against state lands at tipmont.mt.gov

KBZK TV's Chet Layman has more. 🎥

Missouri Headwaters State Park’s summer speaker series is back with another exciting lineup of guests each weekend throu...
06/09/2026

Missouri Headwaters State Park’s summer speaker series is back with another exciting lineup of guests each weekend through mid-August. Each event begins at 7 p.m. near the park office.

For more information on these events or other general inquiries about Missouri Headwaters State Park, call 406-285-3610 or visit fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/missouri-headwaters

A partial closure is in place for Point of Rocks Fishing Access Site on the upper Yellowstone River north of Carbella. T...
06/05/2026

A partial closure is in place for Point of Rocks Fishing Access Site on the upper Yellowstone River north of Carbella.

The closure is in place for human safety due to a grizzly bear feeding on an animal carcass near the site. The closed area includes the northern portion of the site east of U.S. Highway 89. The southern portion of the site, including the boat ramp, remains open.

Recreationists floating the river past Point of Rocks are advised to stay river right and not stop in the area between the Highway 89 bridge and 1 mile downstream.
The closure will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.

For more information on restrictions and closures at sites managed by FWP, visit fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

An emergency closure on a portion of the Gallatin River near Big Sky was lifted on June 2.The closure has been enacted f...
06/02/2026

An emergency closure on a portion of the Gallatin River near Big Sky was lifted on June 2.

The closure has been enacted for human safety during certain phases of a Custer Gallatin National Forest project to replace Markley Bridge starting in March.

The closure restricted boating on the Gallatin River from the Upper Deer Creek boat launch—just upstream of Markley Bridge—to the Portal Creek boat launch.

Future phases of the project may require the closure to be reinstated temporarily later this summer.

For current information on restrictions and closures of Montana waterbodies and FWP sites, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

📸 U.S. Forest Service

A portion of the Gallatin River will close to boating temporarily starting May 29 while crews continue working with the ...
05/28/2026

A portion of the Gallatin River will close to boating temporarily starting May 29 while crews continue working with the Custer Gallatin National Forest to install a new bridge replacing Markley Bridge near Big Sky.

The closure will temporarily restrict boating on the Gallatin River from the Upper Deer Creek boat launch—located just above Markley Bridge—to the Portal Creek boat launch. Boaters will still be able to put in at the Portal Creek boat launch and float downstream.

Wade angling and other walk-in use will continue to be allowed, except in the immediate area of bridge construction.

The area was closed previously during earlier phases of construction. The current closure will be lifted as soon as conditions allow.

For more information on restrictions and closures of Montana waterbodies, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

📸 U.S. Forest Service

Help shape the future of shooting sports in Montana.The MT Shooting Sports Task Force is seeking public input as it cont...
05/26/2026

Help shape the future of shooting sports in Montana.

The MT Shooting Sports Task Force is seeking public input as it continues work on the development of future shooting sports facilities across Montana following the passage of House Bill 899, sponsored by Rep. Kerri Seekins-Crowe.

The legislation established the Montana State Shooting Facilities and Improvements Development and Oversight Task Force, which is charged with evaluating existing facilities, identifying statewide needs, and developing recommendations for new or improved shooting sports infrastructure.

Now’s your chance to be part of the process. Your feedback will help guide decisions on future facilities, including locations, design features, and partnerships across the state.

Take the survey and share your input: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ShootingAccess

Looking for a fun weekend activity? Join us at Madison Buffalo Jump State Park on Saturday for a guided hike during the ...
05/21/2026

Looking for a fun weekend activity? Join us at Madison Buffalo Jump State Park on Saturday for a guided hike during the peak of spring green-up and wildflower season.

⚠️Ghost Village Bear Safety Closure⚠️May 18, 2026 For public safety, the Ghost Village area in the Hebgen Lake Ranger Di...
05/19/2026

⚠️Ghost Village Bear Safety Closure⚠️

May 18, 2026

For public safety, the Ghost Village area in the Hebgen Lake Ranger District is temporarily closed to all entry due to bear activity.

Please stay out of the black dashed zone marked in the map of the closure area below. Here are the boundaries:

- From Highway 287 and Ghost Village Road 989 south to Campfire Lodge entrance
- Southwest along Campfire Lodge Boundary to Madison River
- Crossing Madison River, then south and west, staying 300 yards east and south of the riverbank
- North from the Madison River/Earthquake Lake, near Beaver Creek
- East from Beaver Creek to Refuge Point Trail
- North and east along Refuge Point Trail to its trailhead
- East on Highway 287 back to Ghost Village Road 989

While the entirety of Ghost Village Road 989 is closed, Refuge Point Trail will remain open to public use; travel off of the trail into the closure area described above and depicted on the associated map is prohibited.

Please call the Hebgen Lake Ranger District with further questions: (406) 823-6961

Address

1400 South 19th
Bozeman, MT
59718

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

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