FishKillFlea Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) manages the fishing license in MT. Wondering how much is a MT fishing license? Montana requires three separate components: a fishing license, a conservation license, and an AIS prevention pass — totaling $31 for residents.
2025-2026 Cost of Fishing License in Montana — Resident
The MT fishing license price breakdown (source: Montana FWP Official):
| License | Fish | Conservation | AIS Pass | Total | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Season Fishing (18-61) | $21.00 | $8.00 | $2.00 | $31.00 | Mar 1 – Feb 28 |
| 2-Day Resident | Bundled | $15.00 | 2 days | ||
| Senior 62+ Season | Bundled | $16.50 | Mar 1 – Feb 28 | ||
| Youth 12-17 | Reduced | $10.50 | Season | ||
Montana Non-Resident Fishing License
The out of state fishing license Montana costs (all components bundled in multi-day):
| License | Total Price | Duration | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season NR (16+) | $117.50 | Mar 1 – Feb 28 | $100 fish + $10 conservation + $7.50 AIS |
| 5-Day NR | $73.50 | 5 consecutive days | All components included |
| 1-Day NR | $31.50 | 1 day | All components included |
| NR Youth 12-15 | $110.00 | Season | Reduced youth rate |
⚠️ Important: Montana licenses run March 1 – last day of February (NOT calendar year). A December purchase buys you only ~3 months, not a full year.
Compare Montana With Neighboring States
| State | Resident Total* | NR Season | NR 1-Day | Senior Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | $30.75 | $98.25 | $16.75 | 65+ $18.00 |
| Wyoming | $27.00 | $102.50 | $14.00 | 65+ FREE res |
| North Dakota | $17.00 | $47.00 | $12.00 | 65+ $8.00 |
| South Dakota | $28.00 | $79.00 | $18.00 | 65+ $5.00 |
*Montana's $31 total includes all 3 required components. North Dakota at $17 is cheapest. Montana's NR season at $117.50 reflects world-class blue-ribbon trout water value.
FAQ
How much is a MT fishing license for non-residents?
The Montana non-resident fishing license costs $117.50 for a full season (includes conservation + AIS), $73.50 for 5 days, or $31.50 for 1 day. The 5-day is most popular for fly fishing vacations. See MT fishing spots for blue-ribbon rivers.
What are the 3 required components?
Montana requires (1) Fishing License, (2) Conservation License (access to state lands), and (3) AIS Prevention Pass (invasive species fund). Multi-day licenses bundle all three. See license types for complete details.