Why you should buy your 2026 hunting/fishing license now, not later

Most duck and Canada goose seasons are open during at least part of January, while white-fronted geese run into February, and as late as March for light geese in parts of the state. See the migratory game bird hunting seasons and rules booklet, as closure dates vary depending on species and location.

Don't rule out winter stream fishing

Sure, the passerby and maybe even fellow anglers might look at you crazy for standing out on a river, risking frostbite, just to catch a few rainbow trout and whitefish. But truth is, winter can be an amazing time to hook fish and observe some incredible natural scenery on quiet waters.

Winter is when many fly anglers sneak out to popular rivers to catch fish in the same stretches of water that are filled with anglers during peak season. They know the fish are still there and willing to take a fly (or lure if you're not a fly angler) and have a whole stretch of the river to yourself.

There are many benefits and strategies when it comes to winter stream fishing, which you can read about here in this story.

Burbot. That's right. Burbot.

What's a burbot, you might ask? It might not be the coverfish of Field and Stream magazine, but the experience and prized table fare make burbot the Kootenai River's beloved celebrity.