FWP increases fishing restrictions, closures on Wednesday

Continued rising air and water temperatures across southwest and western Montana has prompted Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks to add additional fishing restrictions and closures along several rivers and streams beginning July 29.

Full fishing closures, aimed at protecting threatened bull trout populations along the Clark Fork River, will take effect within 100 yards of the mouth of Fish Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, and the St. Regis River.

In addition, daily hoot-owl restrictions will begin on July 29, prohibiting fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight. These restrictions are intended to prevent excessive fish mortality due to angling when water temperatures are warm.

Hoot-owl restrictions are in place on the following waterways:

• Big Hole River: the entire river downstream of Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road
• Blackfoot River: from Cedar Meadow Fishing Access Site to the confluence with the Clark Fork River
• Monture Creek: from the confluence with Falls Creek to the Highway 200 bridge
• Clark Fork River: restrictions extended downstream to include the river from Flint Creek to the confluence with the Flathead River
• East Fork of the Bitterroot River: from the Highway 93 crossing at Sula to its confluence with the West Fork of the Bitterroot; the entire mainstem of the Bitterroot is already under restrictions.
• Lolo Creek: from its headwaters to the confluence with South Fork Lolo Creek
• Rock Creek: from its headwaters at the confluence of the West and Middle Forks to the mouth of Stoney Creek
• Silver Bow Creek: in its entirety from Blacktail Creek at Montana St. in Butte to the mouth of Warm Springs Creek at the Gas City Rd. Bridge

There are also restrictions in place along other sections of major rivers across the southwest.

For the latest updates on FWP’s fishing restrictions, including a map, visit their website.

In addition, Yellowstone National Park officials are adding hoot-owl restrictions from 2 p.m. to sunrise along all rivers and streams within the park due to low water levels and high temperatures. These are in addition to full closures along the Madison and Firehole rivers, and the Gibbon River downstream of Norris campground.

Yellowstone staff said in a press release that water temperatures have exceeded 68 degrees Fahrenheit in recent days and water levels are below average on many rivers.

Yellowstone Lake and other lakes within the park will remain open from sunrise to sunset.

The closures will protect the park’s native and wild trout fisheries and will remain in effect until conditions improve.