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G-town Lake update: October inflows, precipitation below average
Although September was an average month for inflows and an above average month for precipitation at Georgetown Lake following far below average inflows and above average precipitation in August, October has been below average in both respects so far, according to Montana Department of Natural Resources Surface Water Section Supervisor Todd Blythe. As of Blythe’s report on Oct. 21, the lake’s elevation was 6,428.69 feet, which is above average for this time of year based on 80 years’ worth of lake elevation data. Blythe said that outflows and draw-down on the reservoir have remained steady, meeting the required irrigation outflow.…
Read MoreFWP Region 2 hunter check stations saw steady traffic on opening weekend
The 2026 Montana big game general hunting season opened Saturday, Oct. 24, and a slightly above average number of hunters passed through the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks wildlife check stations near Anaconda, Bonner, Darby and Fish Creek. At the hunter check station just outside of Bonner, there was slightly more hunter activity than in the past five years, with 930 hunter stops logged at the station over the weekend, compared to an average of 820. The total number of deer and elk checked was also up slightly. “We have a new opportunity for either-sex white-tailed deer harvest on the…
Read More2026 Hunting Forecast for Southwest Montana (FWP Region 3)
Hunting opportunities for a variety of wildlife are plentiful in southwestern Montana. Hunters should remember that crowding will occur on easily accessible public lands, and wildlife may be visibly concentrated on private lands where access is limited. Hunters should acquire landowner permission well before hunting on private land and remember that continued access opportunities depend upon hunter behavior, ethics, and safe hunting practices. Please treat all lands—public and private—with respect, abide by land use rules from the landowner or land management agency, and be courteous with other hunters and landowners sharing the landscape. Elk In the Livingston area, a very…
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FWP: Hunters, help manage Chronic Wasting Disease
Hunters are key to tracking chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Montana. Every deer, elk, or moose you bring in for sampling tells us more about how to manage CWD and help stop CWD in its tracks. Is CWD a concern? YES. CWD is a fatal disease that affects deer, elk, and moose. It spreads through direct contact and contaminated environments, and once it is established, it is very difficult to remove from the landscape. Where do we need help most this year? FWP has identified CWD Priority Sampling Areas in northwestern and central Montana, in addition to HDs 213 and…
Read MoreFishing closure lifted on section of upper Big Hole River: FWP
A fishing closure has been lifted on a section of the upper Big Hole River. The closure area extended from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road upstream to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River. The closure began Aug. 12 due to low flows and in accordance with the Big Hole River Drought Management Plan. Flows in that section of the river have improved, and the closure has been lifted. Yearly fishing closures related to spawning remain in effect for other sections of the Big Hole River. For more information on drought-related fishing restrictions and closures…
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Do Those Count as Points?
Here are more photos of the '50-point moose' that couldn't fit in print. Photos courtesy of Carly Moodry.
Read MoreFWP announces its Hunting Forecasts for 2026
Part 1: Region 2 As leaves fade to yellow, storefronts across Montana turn orange, adorned with huge “Welcome Hunters” banners. FWP also steps up to help people prepare for the season with its annual Hunting Forecast. The links below break down the state region by region to outline what hunters can expect for deer, elk and pronghorn. It’s also not just focused on big game. The forecasts include an upland game bird season outlook with trends for grouse, partridge and pheasant using FWP’s spring survey results, weather and other data. We anticipate better than average hunting opportunities for the upcoming…
Read MoreStopped in their tracks: Some AIS inspection stations remain open
AIS season isn’t over quite yet. Anglers and waterfowl hunters with watercraft must continue to stop at all aquatic invasive species watercraft inspection stations they encounter. While some inspection stations close after Labor Day, others continue operating through October in high-risk corridors. Six stations are still operating, including Anaconda’s. So far this year, more than 110,000 watercraft have been inspected. Thirty of those were carrying mussels, and more than 600 were carrying weeds. According to aquatic invasive species bureau chief Tom Woolf, that’s about 3,000 fewer boats than last year, and six fewer mussel-fouled boats. No new AIS populations have…
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After hundreds of thousands of dollars, hours and steps on the trail, the Open Lands Plan’s first phase is ready
It’s been almost two years since the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Open Lands Plan Steering Committee started meeting to help develop local trails in Anaconda-Deer Lodge County, and now they’re seeing their labors come to fruition with the completion of the Copper Link Trail and the Stucky Ridge trail system. The Copper Link Trail runs between Sunnyside Road and Birch Street, and the Stucky Ridge trail system is located near Cedar Park Lanes. The project is funded through a $13.3 million settlement between the State of Montana and Atlantic Richfield Company in 2008. That settlement money is allocated to restoration and…
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Legend of the Fall
Two moose run through the woods around Georgetown Lake on Sept. 26. Photo courtesy of Carly Moodry. A moose watches, waits at Georgetown Lake on Sept. 26. Photo courtesy of Carly Moodry. A bull moose takes a break at Georgetown Lake on Sept. 26. Photo courtesy of Carly Moodry. A bull moose stands against the changing autumn backdrop of Georgetown Lake... ... and then moves to a different setting. Photos courtesy of Carly Moodry.
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