Montana Fishing License 2026: Fees, Requirements, Yellowstone & AIS Rules
Montana 2026 fishing license costs for residents/nonresidents, Conservation License, AIS Prevention Pass, Yellowstone permit rules, and official FWP purchase links.
A Montana fishing “license” is really three products bundled at checkout: a Conservation License, the base fishing license (1-day, 5-day, or season), and the Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP). As of February 10, 2026, FWP sells every hunting, fishing, and conservation license online only through its Online Licenses Service — retail vendors can no longer sell them, so anglers must buy or renew through the official portal below or the MyFWP app.
- Official purchase portal: Montana FWP Online Licenses Service (ols.fwp.mt.gov)
- Official license/regulations hub: fwp.mt.gov/fish
- License year: March 1, 2026 – February 28, 2027 for the current season products
2026 Resident Fees
| Angler group (age) | Conservation License | AISPP | Fishing license | Common total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12–15 | $4.00 | No fee | $10.50 season / $5.00 (2-day) | $14.50 season / $9.00 (2-day) |
| 16–17 & 62+ | $4.00 | $2.00 | $10.50 season / $5.00 (2-day) | $16.50 season / $11.00 (2-day) |
| 18–61 | $8.00 | $2.00 | $21.00 season / $5.00 (2-day) | $31.00 season / $15.00 (2-day) |
| 18–61, disabled (certified) | $8.00 | $2.00 | $10.50 season | $20.50 season |
Source: 2026 FWP official fee sheet.
2026 Nonresident Fees
| Product | Cost |
|---|---|
| Conservation License | $10.00 |
| Angler AISPP (16+, no fee for 15 and under) | $7.50 |
| 1-day fishing license | $14.00 (total with prerequisites: $31.50) |
| 5-consecutive-day fishing license | $56.00 (total: $73.50) |
| Full-season fishing license | $100.00 (total: $117.50) |
Source: 2026 FWP official fee sheet.
Boat-Specific AIS Passes (Separate From the Angler Pass)
Don’t confuse the Angler AISPP (a personal pass tied to your fishing license, $2 resident / $7.50 nonresident) with the Vessel AISPP, which any nonresident watercraft must buy before launching in Montana:
- Motorized watercraft: $30
- Nonmotorized watercraft (kayak, canoe, etc.): $10
- Not transferable between boats; expires December 31; no physical decal — keep a digital or paper receipt
- All watercraft, resident or nonresident, must stop at open inspection stations before launching; inspections completed in Idaho or Wyoming can satisfy Montana’s pre-launch check if you don’t pass a Montana station first
Yellowstone National Park Is a Separate System
A Montana state fishing license is not valid inside Yellowstone National Park, and the park does not require or recognize state licenses at all. Anglers 16+ need a park-specific fishing permit purchased through Recreation.gov: nps
| Permit | Fee |
|---|---|
| 3-day | $40 |
| 7-day | $55 |
| Season | $75 |
Anglers 15 and younger can fish free under a supervising adult’s permit, or get a free youth permit signed by a responsible adult. Park rules also require lead-free tackle, barbless hooks, and a boat permit for any vessel including float tubes. nps
Other Traps to Check Before Paying
- Flathead Indian Reservation waters run a separate CSKT tribal licensing system with its own Conservation License, AISPP, and fishing fees for non-tribal members — a Montana state license alone does not cover reservation waters.
- License year boundary: licenses sold for 2026 run March 1, 2026 through the end of February 2027; buying late February can mean the license expires within days unless you specify the correct season.
- Online-only checkout since Feb 10, 2026: local fly shops and big-box stores can help you use a kiosk, but the transaction itself must go through FWP’s own site or app, and a 2.9% + $0.30 service fee applies per transaction.
- Disabled resident pricing requires prior FWP certification — you cannot just claim the discount at checkout.
FAQs
Why is a Conservation License part of Montana fishing checkout?
Montana requires it as a prerequisite before either fishing or hunting privileges are issued, and it partly funds habitat and access programs.
Can I use a Montana fishing license inside Yellowstone?
No. Yellowstone requires its own park fishing permit (3-day $40, 7-day $55, season $75) purchased via Recreation.gov; state licenses are not accepted. nps
Does the Angler AIS pass cover my boat?
No. The Angler AISPP only covers you as a person. Nonresident watercraft need a separate Vessel AISPP ($30 motorized, $10 nonmotorized) plus a mandatory inspection before launch.
Where do I actually buy the license?
Only through FWP’s Online Licenses Service at ols.fwp.mt.gov or the MyFWP app — retail vendors stopped selling licenses directly as of February 10, 2026.
