LivewellMontana · River
West Fork Madison River
Is the fish you caught here safe to eat? Below is every consumption advisory on file for West Fork Madison River, by species and size, in plain English — plus what's legal to keep.
2 species with advisories · contaminants: Mercury
What's safe to eat from West Fork Madison River
Brown Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 10–14" | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Rainbow Trout
| Size | Who | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
| 14–18" | Women who may become pregnant & children under 15 | For women who may become pregnant, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and children under 15: limit to one meal per week due to elevated Mercury. |
Source: official advisory· updated 2026-09-22
Is it legal to keep?
These are Montana's statewide limits — a water-specific rule may override them. Always verify the current regulations before keeping a fish.
| Species | Size | Daily limit | Open season | Keep season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Brown Trout | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Cutthroat Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bull Trout | — | 0 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Brook Trout | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Arctic Grayling | — | 0 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Mountain Whitefish | — | 20 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Walleye | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Sauger | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Northern Pike | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Smallmouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Largemouth Bass | — | 5 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Lake Trout | — | 3 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Kokanee | — | 10 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Black Crappie | — | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
| White Crappie | — | 15 | Year-round | Same as open |
| Yellow Perch | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Bluegill | — | — | Year-round | Same as open |
| Burbot | — | 2 | Year-round | Same as open |
Official rules: Montana — Montana FWP standard-district default
Getting on the water
- Canoe / kayak launch canoe launch 0.9 mi Directions
- Canoe / kayak launch canoe launch 0.9 mi Directions
- Canoe / kayak launch canoe launch 2.1 mi Directions
Access points from OpenStreetMap contributors.