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Fishing and hunting are popular outdoor activities in the eight states of the Mountain-Prairie Region. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recognizes properly managed fishing and hunting programs as legitimate tools of wildlife management and valid modes of outdoor recreation. Each of the states affords excellent angling opportunities for coldwater species such as cutthroat, brook, brown, and rainbow trout; coolwater species such as pike and walleye; and warmwater fishes like largemouth bass, channel catfish and crappie. Likewise, opportunities abound for big game, waterfowl, and upland bird hunting.
The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Fisheries Program supports recreational fishing by raising millions of game fish every year at National Fish Hatcheries (NFHs) and providing them to states for stocking in public lakes, rivers, and streams throughout the Mountain-Prairie Region. Through the National Broodstock Program at Ennis NFH and Saratoga NFH, over 30 million rainbow, lake, and brown trout eggs are provided to federal, state, and tribal hatcheries, fish technology centers and research labs across the country. The Fish Technology Center and Fish Health Center in Bozeman, Montana conduct scientific and technical work to protect water quality and sustain disease-free fish populations, among other activities.
Currently, 40 of the region’s 116 National Wildlife Refuges allow recreational fishing, while 55 refuges have some form of hunting program. These fishing and hunting activities are generally conducted under the rules and regulations of the state fish and wildlife agency, although in some cases special U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service regulations may apply. Check the refuge website link, above, for more information on specific locations.
Most Native American tribes within the Mountain-Prairie Region allow public fishing on tribal lands. Some reservations also permit hunting, with some limitations. Information on tribal regulations for fishing and hunting are often available from the state fish and wildlife agencies, as well as from the specific tribe itself.
Information such as license fees, bag limits, and seasons for fish and wildlife species are maintained by the state fish and wildlife agencies, which are responsible for management of resident species of wildlife. Please consult these agencies with your questions about fishing and hunting regulations.
FISHING
Colorado
Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
North
Dakota
South
Dakota
Utah
Wyoming
HUNTING
Colorado
Kansas
Montana
Nebraska
North
Dakotal
South
Dakota
Utah
Wyoming
Feature Story: Native vs. Non-Native Fishes -- A Difficult Issue
Learn more about common game fish in the Mountain-Prairie Region.