HELENA – Paddlefish anglers will see a host of new changes in the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks 2025 fishing regulations targeted at maximizing paddlefishing opportunities, while also looking to sustain the fishery for years to come.
Among the major changes to this year’s paddlefish regulations are that hooks must be barbless or pinched and only one treble hook per line is allowed for snagging. In addition, the use of forward-facing sonar when angling for paddlefish is banned. Lastly, mandatory reporting timelines have changed to account for anglers lacking cell service.
The regulations changes were developed during the fishing regulations review process in 2024, with input from paddlefish anglers across the state.
“We know people are very passionate about maintaining or expanding paddlefish opportunities,” said FWP Fisheries Divisions Administrator Adam Strainer. “These changes will ensure paddlefish opportunities continue into the future.”
The 2025 fishing regulations were approved by the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission in November 2024.
A careful review of the 2025 fishing regulations, with particular attention to the paddlefish section, is critical before applying for or buying a tag. In addition, the paddlefish page on the website includes extensive updated information.
Hooks
All hooks must now be barbless or have pinched barbs and only one treble hook per line is allowed for all snagging (harvest or catch and release).
Forward-Facing Sonar
The use of forward-facing sonar is now illegal in Montana for snagging paddlefish. Side-imaging sonar, down-imaging sonar, and 2D sonar are still allowed.
This change is targeted at protecting spawning females, which tend to be larger than males. Forward-facing sonar would allow anglers to target larger fish, which are likely to be female.
Mandatory reporting varies by tag area
- White tag within 48 hours via onsite check station, creel staff, phone hotline, or MyFWP.
- Blue tag within 48 hours via onsite check station, creel staff, phone hotline, MyFWP, or E-tag validation process. · Yellow or Green tag (new this year, for Missouri River downstream of Fort Peck dam) before transporting fish or by 9 p.m. the day of harvest via phone hotline or MyFWP only. Self-check stations are for biological data submission only for the yellow and green tag.
Anglers are still required to report the harvest of any paddlefish, and deadlines and methods vary by tag area. However, new this year, anglers lacking cell service can transport an unreported paddlefish and once they are back in service have 48 hours to report the harvest.
Paddlefish tag areas
Anglers now can choose between the yellow tag, green tag (Missouri River downstream of Ft. Peck Dam), blue archery tag (now E-tag only), or white tag (no changes for 2025). For complete details on each tag and to be aware of significant changes in some tag areas, anglers should refer to the regulations or to FWP’s paddlefish page.
FWP will introduce an online paddlefish dashboard in 2025 that tracks harvest rates and other information, but in its first year the dashboard will only offer updates for the blue tag area beginning July 1. Anglers interested in paddlefish harvest updates for the yellow and green tag area can continue to check the FWP R7 Facebook page or call the region 7 office at 406-234-0900.
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