Additional fishing restrictions begin July 22 on several Montana rivers

Additional daily fishing restrictions, known as “hoot-owl restrictions,” will begin July 22 on multiple Montana rivers as rising water temperatures increase stress on fish, according to the Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP). The rules ban fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day to help reduce impacts when both environmental stressors and angling pressure are high. The article lists affected waters and segments, including the Big Hole River between the North Fork confluence and Dickie Bridge, the Madison River from Eight Mile Ford Fishing Access Site to Ennis Reservoir, and the Yellowstone River from the Hwy. 89 bridge near Livingston to the Hwy. 212/310 bridge in Laurel. It also names restrictions on the Smith, Upper Clark Fork, and Bitterroot rivers, with additional coverage on other sections of some listed rivers. FWP references its drought policy, noting triggers based on critical flows and sustained temperature thresholds, including 73 degrees for three consecutive days in cutthroat trout waters at 66 degrees. The agency also discusses conservation practices for catch-and-release and monitoring of flows and instream water rights.