BOZEMAN – Daily fishing restrictions, commonly known as hoot-owl restrictions, have been lifted for several rivers in southwestern Montana with cooling water temperatures.
Restrictions have been removed for the Gallatin, Jefferson, Ruby and Shields rivers. The following updates have been made for the Madison River:
The restriction immediately upstream of Ennis Reservoir and the closure downstream of the reservoir have been removed.
A hoot-owl restriction remains in effect upstream of Hebgen Reservoir to the boundary of Yellowstone National Park.
A hoot-owl restriction remains in effect from the Bureau of Land Management’s Warm Springs boat launch to the confluence with the Jefferson River.
Drought-related fishing closures and restrictions also remain in effect for the Beaverhead and Big Hole rivers.
These restrictions were implemented because of warm water temperatures. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day to prevent excessive fish mortality from angling when water temperatures are warm. Full closures prohibit angling for the entire day.
Water conservation efforts continue to be important to Montana’s fisheries. Staff with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are working with irrigators and other partners to improve flows and other instream conditions where possible.
Anglers can reduce stress on fish at all times of the year by getting the fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them before releasing them back into the river.
This content is sourced from
Montana Fish Wildlife parks
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