Montana FWP has approved the open water fishing contests for the 2019 season. Participants must comply with state fishing contest regulations, including daily and possession limits.
Applications for fishing contests may be approved, approved with conditions, or denied by the FWP Fisheries Division in Helena. Conditions placed on contests may help to minimize fish mortality, regulate harvest, reduce user conflicts and/or require additional access site maintenance when needed.
More information on fishing contests and permits can be found on the FWP fishing contests webpage, or by calling 406-444-2449.
Approved 2019 Open Water Fishing Contests
Northwest Montana, Region 1
| March 15 – May 12 | Spring Mack Days | Flathead Lake |
| April 27-28 | Big Sky Bass Bash/TBF Series | Echo, Abbot, and Peterson lakes |
| April 27-28 | MT Bass Nation Team Open | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| April 28 | MT TBF Buddy Series Qualifier | Echo, Abbot and Petersen lakes |
| May 11-12 | Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF Series | Flathead River sloughs |
| May 18-19 | Koocanusa Resort & Marina Trout and Salmon Derby | Lake Koocanusa |
| May 18-19 | MT TBF State Team Qualifier | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| June 1 | Wild West Panfish Trail | Flathead River sloughs |
| June 8-9 | MT TBF Buddy Series Qualifier | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| June 16 | Thompson Chain of Lakes Father’s Day Family Derby | Yellow Perch, Northern Pike, Salmon, Rainbow |
| June 22 | Bull Lake Pike Strike | Bull Lake |
| July 20 | Cabinet Gorge Pike Tournament | Cabinet Gorge Reservoir |
| July 27-28 | Tri-State Bass Tournament | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| July 27-28 | Tri-State Buddy Tournament/ TBF Buddy Series | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| Aug 23-25 | MT BASS Nation State Championship | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| Sept 7 | Wild West Panfish Trail | Thompson Chain of Lakes- Middle and Lower |
| Sept 7-8 | MT TBF Semi-Final | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| Sept 9 | Fall Closer Bass Tournament | Cabinet Gorge Reservoir |
| Sept 10-11 | MT TBF Buddy Series Qualifier | Thompson Chain of Lakes- Middle and Lower |
| Sept 20- Nov 10 | Fall Mack Days | Flathead Lake |
| Sept 21 | Bull Lake Pike and Bass Tournament | Bull Lake |
| Sept 21-22 | Noxon Rapids Northern Pike | Noxon Rapids Reservoir |
| Sept 28 | Big Sky Bash Bass/TBF Series | Echo, Abbot, and Peterson lakes |
| Oct 5 | Wild West Panfish Trail | Lake Mary Ronan |
West Central Montana, Region 2
| April 13-14 | 1st Annual Clark Fork Whitefish Tournament | Clark Fork River |
Southwest Montana, Region 3
| June 15 | Blacktail Meadows Kid Fishing Derby | Blacktail Meadows Kids Fish Pond |
North Central Montana, Region 4
| May 17-19 | Fort Benton Spring Classic Fishing Derby | Missouri, Marias, and Teton rivers |
| May 18-19 | Tiber Walleye Tournament | Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell |
| June 8 | Canyon Ferry Carp Safari | Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| June 15 | Lewistown Bowhunters Association Carp Shoot | Petrolia Reservoir |
| June 16 | Lions Club Father’s Day Fish Derby | Newlan Creek Reservoir |
| June 22 | Ackley Lake Club Tiger Muskie Fishing Derby Fundraiser | Ackley Lake |
| June 22-23 | Canyon Ferry Walleye Festival | Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| July 13 | Broadwater Rod and Gun Walleye Derby | Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| July 13 | Fishin for Fun (Family Fun Days) Women’s Tournament | Tiber Reservoir/Lake Elwell |
| Aug 10 | Camp Mak-A-Dream Walleye Benefit | Canyon Ferry Reservoir |
| Aug 24 | John Arnold Fish Derby | Hauser Reservoir |
South Central Montana, Region 5
| April 13 | Worden Slam | Yellowstone River (Huntley Dam to Ranchers Dam) |
| May 11 | Annual Yellowstone Challenge | Yellowstone River (Huntley Bridge to mouth of Bighorn River) |
| June 14 | Bighorn River Alliance Carp Tournament | Bighorn Lake |
Northeast Montana, Region 6
| April 21 | Jerry Johnston Memorial Tough Guy Tournament | Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
| May 4-5 | Crooked Creek Walleye Classic | Fork Peck Reservoir (Crooked Creek) |
| May 18-19 | NBAA Qualifier | Fort Peck Reservoir |
| June 1 | Annual Milk River Catfish Classic | Milk River (Junebug Bridge to mouth of the Milk River) |
| June 1-2 | Rock Creek Walleye Tournament | Fort Peck Reservoir (Rock Creek) |
| June 8-9 | Fresno Walleye Challenge | Fresno Reservoir |
| June 8-9 | Pikemasters Tournament | Fort Peck Reservoir (Rock Creek) |
| June 22-23 | Hell Creek Ladies Fishing Tournament | Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
| July 11 | Annual MT Governor’s Cup Walleye Tournament | Fort Peck Reservoir |
| July 20 | Annual Women’s Walleye Tournament | Fort Peck Reservoir (Fort Peck Marina) |
| July 27-28 | Hell Creek Walleye Tournament | Fort Peck Reservoir |
| Aug 3 | Fishin’ For the Cure | Fort Peck Reservoir (Rock Creek) |
| Aug 10-11 | NBAA Qualifier | Fort Peck Reservoir |
| Sept 21-22 | NBAA Qualifier | Fort Peck Reservoir (Hell Creek) |
Southeast Montana, Region 7
| April 27-28 | K.A.T.S. Invitational | Tongue River Reservoir |
| May 4 | Forsyth Cat Bash | Yellowstone River (Forsyth Dam to Rosebud County Line) |
| May 18 | Glendive Catfish Tourney | Yellowstone River- Cabin Creek to Intake Dam |
| June 8 | Miles City Cat Havoc | Yellowstone River (Rosebud/Custer County Line to Kinsey Bridge) |
| June 8 | Savage Volunteer Fire Department Catfish Tournament | Yellowstone River (Cottonwood Creek to Sidney Bridge) |
| July 20 | Monster Catfish Roundup | Yellowstone River (Elk Island FAS to ND State Line) |
| July 20-21 | K.A.T.S. State Championship | Yellowstone River (Cartersville Dam to Hysham) |
| Sept 7 | Yellowstone River Classic | Yellowstone River (Rosebud County Line to Kinsey Bridge) |
| Oct 19 | Yellowstone River Rats Jig N Crank Fest | Yellowstone River (Obergefell’s Island to North Dakota Line) |
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