Sure, Montana has long been known for its impressive dinosaur fossils, but did you know that you can fish for a living, breathing dinosaur in two of the state’s renowned rivers?
It may sound like science fiction, but the mysterious paddlefish’s first relatives appeared on our planet roughly 125 million years ago. These massive trophy fish weigh in at an average of 60 pounds and often measure at a whopping 5 feet long. Catching them requires skill, patience, a state-issued permit, and a bit of luck, but it’s well worth it for the avid angler who wants one heck of a campfire story.
Once you’ve motored across the Dinosaur Trail in the eastern expanse of the Treasure State, seeing triceratops fossils in Malta and Maiasaura skulls in Choteau, leave Montana’s sprawling prairies behind in favor of the Missouri and Yellowstone rivers, the only two waterways where you can (with a permit) snag a paddlefish for your memory book.
How Do You Catch a Paddlefish?
After you’ve nabbed a coveted permit and read through the state regulations for the date windows and locations where you can angle for these prehistoric fish, you’ll want to brush up on your snagging.
Unlike fly fishing or the tried-and-true method of simply casting a line, paddlefish are typically caught using a technique known as snagging. Rather than luring these paddle-snouted dinosaurs in with bait, a fisher will cast a line, jerk the pole, and drag their hook through the water.
The hook glides through the watery depths and can eventually snag the fish, which is when the angler would reel it in and revel in their trophy catch. After catching a paddlefish, it can be released back on select days, or harvested, tagged, and reported to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks.
Can You Hire a Guide to Catch Paddlefish?
We get it. Maybe you don’t want to purchase a bunch of specialty snagging equipment, or you’d rather leave the logistics and planning to someone else, so you can thoroughly enjoy your time on the water. Either way, you can hire an expert guiding service when you’re angling for paddlefish.
First, be sure to nab an active tag, so that you know your approved time window and location for fishing. Then head to Reel Therapy Charter Fishing to book an excursion. The company’s main base is on Fort Peck Lake, but they do book special charters during the short paddlefish season.
Where Can You Catch a Paddlefish?
There are four different seasons and tags that correspond to sections of the Yellowstone and Missouri rivers where you can angle for paddlefish. All paddlefish harvested in the entire state of Montana must be reported to FWP. Below, we’ll get into each of the locations and suggest a few worthy side excursions, for when you’re not busy boating.
Upper Missouri River: Fort Peck Dam Upstream to Fort Benton
(White Harvest Tag — May 1 to June 15)
White harvest tags are issued through a lottery system, and the number of permits issued in a given year can vary, due to sustainable population management. In a typical year, applications must be received by early April to participate in the drawing. If you don’t get lucky with a harvesting permit, you’ll be issued a catch-and-release–only license for the Upper Missouri River, so you don’t have to botch your plans.
When you aren’t trying to snag your trophy fish, be sure to check out the Fort Peck Interpretive Center, a stop on the Montana Dinosaur Trail. The museum’s main attraction is “Peck’s Rex,” one of the most complete T. rex fossils ever discovered — there is both a full-size skeleton cast and a life-size replica of the dinosaur. Other exhibits highlight the construction of Fort Peck Dam, one of the largest earth-filled dams in the world, and the area’s fish and wildlife.
Yellowstone River: Tongue River Confluence to Sullivan Creek Confluence and Glendive Black Bridge to North Dakota
(Yellow Harvest Tag — May 15 to June 15)
Unlike the aforementioned white tags, Yellowstone River yellow tags are sold over the counter at FWP regional offices, not via online lottery. Because the yellow tag fishery is managed under a shared harvest with the Missouri River green tag program, the annual harvest will not exceed 1,000 paddlefish.
Avid anglers are also strongly encouraged to monitor the stream flow at the USGS Sidney Bridge and USGS Miles City stream gages, to be sure they choose the best times and locations to snag a fish.
Spend a few extra days in the area and bring your binoculars to the Medicine Lake National Wildlife Refuge, which is a critical stopover point for thousands of migratory birds each year. Conversely, you could indulge your adventurous side at Makoshika State Park, Montana’s largest, and another Montana Dino Trail stop. Here, saunter through colorful badlands, see dinosaur fossils, and explore the area’s prehistoric past before the night skies put on a truly epic show.
Missouri River: Downstream of Fort Peck Dam to North Dakota
(Green Harvest Tag — May 15 to June 15)
As we mentioned before, the Missouri River green tag fishery is managed under a shared harvest system with the Yellowstone River yellow tag program, and as such, the annual harvest will not exceed 1,000 paddlefish. Just like with the yellow tags, green harvest tags are sold over the counter at FWP regional offices, not online.
Fishermen are encouraged to monitor the reported stream flow at USGS Wolf Point and USGS Culbertson stream gages, as large numbers of paddlefish are not typically available in the Missouri River unless flows are greater than 15,000 cfs.
To get a break from fishing and river life, head over to the Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge and spend an afternoon imagining what it was like when Lewis and Clark traversed this rugged land. Enjoy the rest of your downtime by immersing yourself in local culture and catching a show at the historic Fort Peck Theatre, which launches its performance season each summer after Memorial Day.
Fort Peck Dredge Cut: Archery-Only Season
(Blue Harvest Tag — July 1 to August 31)
If you’re interested in harvesting an elusive paddlefish via bow-and-arrow techniques, this is the permit to get. No snagging is allowed during this season. These special tags can be purchased just about anywhere — over the counter at FWP offices, at Montana fishing license vendors, or online. There’s not a limit on blue tags sold, but in an ordinary year, about 200 tags are sold, and roughly 20 to 50 fish are actually harvested via archery.
After a day at the dredge, sate your hunger with hearty American fare at The Gateway restaurant in Fort Peck or head to nearby Glasgow, a small town officially designated as “the middle of nowhere” in the U.S.
Stop by the Valley County Pioneer Museum to learn about the history of Glasgow, including its deep ties to the railroad. Then, grab a bite downtown and pop into the eclectic local shops along the way. Don’t forget to snap a picture with the iconic “Middle of Nowhere” sign before leaving town.
This post was sponsored by the Montana Department of Commerce.
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