Rules & Regulations
Cast net laws in Montana
Legal with restrictionsInformational only — this is not legal advice
Fishing regulations change, sometimes with little notice, and can vary further by county, water body, or season within a state. This page is a starting point for research, not a substitute for the law. Always verify current rules directly with your state's fish & wildlife agency or TakeMeFishing.org before you fish. BasicGear is not responsible for citations, fines, or gear seizures resulting from reliance on this page.
Last verified: 2026-07-08 — regulations are re-checked periodically; see the date above before assuming this is current.
Summary
Cast nets may take non-game "baitfish" species only, not game fish.
Size, mesh & licensing
- Max size
- 6 ft radius
- Mesh
- Not specified for cast nets
- Water type
- Freshwater only
- License
- Yes — standard Montana fishing license for recreational use
Recommended BasicGear net
Cast Net — Basic Series — Choose the 6 ft Basic Series size — right at Montana's cap — or the Easy Throw (6 ft) for an easier beginner throw.
Official source
Montana FWP — Fishing Regulations↗
Medium confidenceThe primary PDF was too large to fetch directly; confirmed via a consistent third-party regulatory mirror.
Last verified: 2026-07-08
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