Department of the Interiorexpands hunting and fishing access in Montana

MISSOULA, Mont. — The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is announcing new hunting and fishing opportunities across the country, including expansions in Montana.

The update opens or expands access at select units in the National Wildlife Refuge System and National Fish Hatchery System. In Montana, the changes will allow for new opportunities during the upcoming hunting and fishing seasons, beginning September 2.

New availability in Montana includes:

Black Coulee National Wildlife Refuge – snipe hunting Bowdoin National Wildlife Refuge- snipe hunting Creedman Coulee National Wildlife Refuge- snipe huntingHewitt Lake National Wildlife Refuge- snipe huntingLake Thibadeau National Wildlife Refuge- snipe hunting

Officials said the adjustments are designed to better align with state regulations and provide consistency for hunters and anglers.

Nationwide, the final rule adds 42 new opportunities on more than 87,000 acres. Hunting and fishing are already permitted on more than 430 refuges and 370 units within the Refuge System, and on over 25 national fish hatcheries.

The Service said these updates support sustainable wildlife management while expanding public access to outdoor recreation. A full list of changes is available in the Federal Register under docket number FWS-HQ-NWRS-2025-0031.