Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Finalizes 2025-2026 Wildlife and Fisheries Regulations

Why It Matters: The Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (MFWP) Commission’s August 21, 2025 meeting finalized regulations for the for the 2025-2026 hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons, along with considerations of several land and water projects shaping both management and public access plans for the coming year.

Highlights:

• The Commission took the Future Fisheries Improvement Program (FFIP) and its investments into aquatic ecosystems into consideration.
• Supported by the Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation (CSF) and coalition partners, Phase 2 of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement was moved one step closer to full approval. As the state works to protect wildlife habitats and sporting access.
• New wolf and furbearer regulations were adopted after a long and heated Commission debate and a public comment period that included testimony from a variety of Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Members.

On August 21, 2025, the Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks Commission met in Helena, as they finalized regulations for the 2025-2026 hunting, fishing, and trapping seasons, along with other considerations. These decisions influence Montana’s conservation efforts and outdoor recreation opportunities, shaped by input from sportsmen and women, legislators, Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks, and members of the general public. While some topics like conservation easements brought generalized support, rulemaking for predator management and trapping brought long heated debate as Commissioners worked to find balance. A few brief highlights from that meeting include:

• Fisheries Division
  • Recommendations from the citizen review panel for the Future Fisheries Improvement Program projects were adopted, enhancing fish habitats critical for anglers and aquatic ecosystems.
    • Bringing around $680,000 of MFWP funds along with extensive matching funds to support projects like fish passage, creek restoration, and fish screens, among others.
  • These investments will support Montana’s fisheries, a cornerstone of the state’s outdoor heritage.
• Land and Water Unit
  • Phase 2 of the Montana Great Outdoors Conservation Easement was adopted by Commissioners and will be headed to the Montana Land Board this Fall.
    • If adopted by the Montana Land Board this program will preserve an important wildlife migration corridor and year-round habitat for popular species, including elk, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, and Westslope cutthroat trout, among others. All while guaranteeing that public hunting and fishing access is not closed.
  • Wildlife Division
    • Receiving guidance from the state legislature through HB 259, the Commission is to consider new wolf management strategies to address ecological and social concerns.
    • Several amendments were proposed for Commissioners to consider on the 2025-2026 wolf season setting rules ahead of the meeting. Those amendments were further refined during the Commission meeting.
    • After a presentation from MFWP staff, debate around the amendments, and extensive public comment – which included testimony from the Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs and Members- the Commission voted to adopt updated regulations for the 2025-2026 Furbearer and Wolf Hunting and Trapping Seasons

The Congressional Sportsmen’s Foundation facilitates sportsmen’s engagement in the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. During the rule making process, particularly for debated items like wolf management, collaboration between the agency, Commission, legislators, and with sportsmen is essential. By working with the Montana Legislative Sportsmen’s Caucus and members of the Montana Advisory Council, CSF ensures sportsmen’s perspectives are represented, contributing to policies that balance wildlife conservation, department science, and outdoor access for Montana’s future.