Pay lakes in Montana
Montana has 5 pay lakes; 3 stock trout.
Find a pay lake in Montana by name or town
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Do you need a fishing license at a pay lake in Montana?
Usually not. No Montana fishing license is needed to fish a licensed, privately stocked fish pond; unlicensed ponds and other private waters still require one.
Montana licenses pay lakes through its Private Fish Pond License and Commercial Fish Pond License (MCA 87-4-601 et seq.), run by the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). The license rule depends on the lake holding that state license, so ask the lake if you are unsure.
"No fishing license is required to fish on licensed, privately stocked fish ponds. Fishing license requirements apply to all other ponds and/or waters on private land."
Source: FWP Commercial Fishing & Floating / Private Fish Ponds, checked November 2026. Compare every state on our pay lake license rules page.
More pay lake states
Browse catfish pay lakes, trout pay ponds or see what pay lakes cost.