New Montana Paddlefish Rules: What Anglers Must Know

Now that spring has officially arrived, and temperatures are becoming a bit more favorable, anglers across Montana will be heading out to fish.

However, if you're planning on participating in the 2025 paddlefish season, you need to be aware of a slew of new regulations.

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks recently released new rules for the 2025 paddlefish season.

Here are the regulation changes that you need to know about.

Barbless Hooks and Treble Hook Limitations

One of the main revisions mandates the use of barbless hooks.
You may have pinched barbs.
The fishing technique of snagging is now also restricted to just one treble hook per line.
These new regulations aim to improve the survival rate of paddlefish.

Forward-Facing Sonar Prohibition

Forward-facing sonar devices used for snagging paddlefish are now banned in Montana.
Side imaging and down imaging sonar are still legal.
The reason behind this is to try and preserve larger female paddle fish when they are in their critical spawning periods.

Enhanced Reporting Requirements

The reporting process for paddlefish has been streamlined.
To better accommodate the lack of cell service while out paddle fishing, harvest reporting is required within 48 hours of regaining service.
Make sure to check individual fishing areas for reporting guide guidelines.

Looking Ahead: Online Dashboard and Resources

Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks also plans to launch an online paddle fishing dashboard sometime in 2025.

This platform is designed to provide real-time updates and harvest data for paddlefish.