If you’re an avid fisherman here in Western Montana then you probably already know what I’m going to tell you. However, if you are a recreational fisherman, then this information might be helpful to you. This could keep you out of hot water with Fish and Game, because as it turns out, fishing is not a year-round sport in all Montana districts. Here are the general regulations regarding when Montana’s rivers, streams, lakes and reservoirs are open to anglers.

For the 2013 general fishing season, fishing on lakes and reservoirs is open all year round in all three districts, the Western, Central and Eastern. You can fish at all hours of the day and night, unless otherwise specified in the district exceptions to the standard regulations.

In the Eastern district, fishing on rivers and streams is open all year round. In the Western and Central districts, fishing on rivers and streams is open from the third Saturday in May until November 30, unless specified otherwise as an exception to the standard regulations.

These fishing regulations are valid from March 1, 2013 until February 28, 2014.

To purchase a Montana fishing license, Montana residents can go to the Fish Wildlife & Parks office, located in Missoula at 3201 Spurgin Road, or visit their website at https://app.mt.gov/als/index/index.html.

Joy Larson is a mother of four boys, graduate of The University of Montana, animal lover and writer.

More From 96.9 Zoo FM