If you are fishing in Montana and you are 12 or older, you need three things before you step in the water: a Conservation License, a fishing license, and an Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass (AISPP). All three are sold by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks, and all three are the angler's responsibility — not your outfitter's. For a nonresident buying a full season, that comes to roughly $117.50; for a single day, roughly $31.50.
This guide breaks down exactly what each license is, what it costs in 2026, who is exempt, how long it lasts, and what Riverstone Outfitters guests need to have in hand before a guided trip on the Flathead, Clark Fork, Blackfoot, Missouri, or Yellowstone.
Key Takeaways: Montana Fishing License Requirements
- Anyone age 12 or older must have a fishing license to fish Montana state waters. Anglers 11 and under fish free but must still follow all limits and regulations.
- Most anglers need three items: a Conservation License, a base fishing license, and the AIS Prevention Pass.
- A full-season license runs March 1 through the end of February of the following year — it is not a calendar-year license.
- 2026 nonresident pricing: Conservation License $10, AIS Prevention Pass $7.50, full season $100, 1-day $14, 5 consecutive days $56.
- 2026 resident pricing: Conservation License $8, AIS Prevention Pass $2, full season $21, 2 consecutive days $5.
- Licenses are nontransferable and nonrefundable. Buy before your trip day so you are not sorting it out at the boat ramp.
Who Needs a Montana Fishing License?
A valid fishing license is required for all types of fishing on Montana state waters for anyone age 12 or older, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Anyone 11 years old or younger does not need a fishing license, a Conservation License, or an AIS Prevention Pass — but young anglers must still observe all limits and regulations.
This matters for family trips. If you are booking a Flathead Lake fishing charter with two kids under 12, only the adults who are fishing need licenses. Non-anglers riding along — on a charter or a Wild Horse Island boat tour — do not need a license at all.
The Three Things Every Montana Angler Needs
1. Conservation License
The Conservation License is the base credential that makes you eligible to buy hunting and fishing licenses in Montana. It is not itself a fishing license. In 2026 it costs $8 for residents and $10 for nonresidents, with a reduced $4 rate for resident youth ages 12–17 and resident seniors 62 and over.
2. Fishing License
This is the license that actually authorizes you to fish. You choose the duration that matches your trip.
3. Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass
The AISPP is required for all individuals who fish in Montana and funds the state's fight against aquatic invasive species — a real concern in the Flathead and Columbia basins. It costs $2 for residents and $7.50 for nonresidents in 2026.
2026 Montana Fishing License Costs
These are the 2026 fees published by Montana FWP. Fees can change year to year, so confirm at the point of purchase.
| License or pass | Resident | Nonresident |
|---|---|---|
| Conservation License | $8 | $10 |
| Conservation License (youth 12–17, senior 62+) | $4 | — |
| AIS Prevention Pass | $2 | $7.50 |
| Full Season Fishing License | $21 | $100 |
| Full Season (youth 12–17, senior 62+) | $10.50 | — |
| Short-term — 2 consecutive days | $5 | — |
| 1-Day Fishing License | — | $14 |
| Short-term — 5 consecutive days | — | $56 |
What It Actually Costs You, All In
Because most anglers need all three items, here is the realistic total:
- Nonresident, one guided day: $10 + $7.50 + $14 = about $31.50
- Nonresident, a 5-day Montana fishing week: $10 + $7.50 + $56 = about $73.50
- Nonresident, full season: $10 + $7.50 + $100 = about $117.50
- Resident, full season: $8 + $2 + $21 = about $31
If you are fishing more than five days in Montana in a year, the nonresident full-season license is usually the better value. Two separate 5-day licenses already cost more than one season license.
How Long Is a Montana Fishing License Valid?
A Full Season Fishing License is valid from March 1 through the end of February of the following year. This trips up a lot of visiting anglers who assume it is a January–December license. A license bought for an August trip is still good the following January and February, but expires February 28.
Short-term licenses are counted in consecutive calendar days, not "days fished." A nonresident 5-day license bought for a Monday covers Monday through Friday whether or not you fish every day, so line it up with your actual float days.
Where to Buy Your License
Licenses are issued by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks and are purchased through the state's licensing system. Buy yours before your trip date, save a copy to your phone, and bring an ID that matches the name on the license.
Two practical notes for guided trips:
- Your outfitter cannot buy it for you. Fishing licenses are nontransferable and issued to a named individual.
- Licenses are nonrefundable. If your trip reschedules, the license is still yours to use on another Montana water within its valid window.
Special License Categories
Montana offers reduced-fee options that visitors often miss:
- Resident youth (12–17) and seniors (62+) pay $4 for a Conservation License and $10.50 for a full-season fishing license.
- Montana Resident with a Disability Conservation License holders pay $8 Conservation, $2 AISPP, and $10.50 for the fishing license.
- Resident Lifetime Fishing License for the Blind is $10.
- Resident Sportsman and Nonresident Combination licenses already include a season fishing license — if you hold one for hunting, you may not need to buy fishing separately.
What Riverstone Provides — and What You Bring
On a guided trip with Riverstone Outfitters, your guide handles the boat, the shuttle, the flies, and the fishing gear. The licensing piece is the one item that stays with you.
Bring: your Montana fishing license, Conservation License, and AIS Prevention Pass (digital copies are fine), photo ID, polarized sunglasses, sunscreen, a hat, and layered clothing. Montana weather changes fast, and a light rain shell earns its space in the boat.
Don't worry about: rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippet, or flies. Inclusions vary by trip, so check the specific trip page — the Clark Fork River fly fishing trip, Blackfoot River trip, and Missouri River trip each list what comes with the day.
FAQs: Montana Fishing Licenses
Do I need a Montana fishing license for a guided trip?
Yes. Every angler age 12 or older must have their own valid Montana fishing license, Conservation License, and AIS Prevention Pass, including on a fully guided trip. Your guide provides the boat, gear, and expertise, but the license is issued to you personally and cannot be purchased on your behalf.
How much is a Montana fishing license for a nonresident in 2026?
For 2026, a nonresident full-season fishing license is $100, a 1-day license is $14, and a 5-consecutive-day license is $56. Add the $10 nonresident Conservation License and the $7.50 AIS Prevention Pass. A nonresident fishing one guided day should budget about $31.50 total; a full season runs about $117.50.
Do kids need a fishing license in Montana?
Anglers 11 years old and younger do not need a fishing license, Conservation License, or AIS Prevention Pass in Montana, though they must still follow all catch limits and regulations. Anglers 12 and older need the full set. Resident youth ages 12 to 17 qualify for reduced fees of $4 for the Conservation License and $10.50 for the full-season license.
How long does a Montana fishing license last?
A Montana Full Season Fishing License is valid from March 1 through the end of February of the following year, not a calendar year. Short-term licenses cover consecutive calendar days from the start date you select, whether or not you fish every one of those days.
What is the AIS Prevention Pass and do I really need it?
The Angler Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Pass is required for every person who fishes in Montana. It costs $2 for residents and $7.50 for nonresidents in 2026 and funds inspection stations and prevention work that protect waters like Flathead Lake from invasive mussels. Fishing without it is a violation even if you hold a valid fishing license.
Can I buy a Montana fishing license the morning of my trip?
It is possible, but it is not a good plan. Cell service is unreliable at many Montana launch sites, guided trips launch early, and any hiccup in the purchase process eats into your day on the water. Buy your license and passes a few days ahead and save a copy to your phone.
Plan Your Montana Fishing Trip
Ready to get on the water? Explore our Flathead River fly fishing trips, Clark Fork River trips, and Flathead Lake charters, or call us at 406-607-1165 and we will help match the right river, lake, and guide to your group — and answer any licensing questions before you book.
License fees and requirements in this article reflect 2026 information published by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. Fees and rules change; always confirm current requirements at fwp.mt.gov before purchasing.
