Before you cast a line, take the time! Fishing conditions change, and so do the rules. With low flows, fire danger, or other things happening, restrictions and closures can sneak up on us. Don’t let a surprise ruin your day on the water — check out Montana FWP for the latest updates and stay in the know before you go! Here are the latest restrictions:
Beaverhead River
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower Beaverhead River – from Highway 41 near East Bench Road and Beaverhead Rock to its confluence with the Big Hole River starting July 10.
Temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06023100 at Twin Bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Beaverhead River for three consecutive days starting on July 6th.
Big Hole River
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Big Hole River – Section 1 – from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River starting July 10.
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06024450 near Wisdom.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Big Hole River for three consecutive days starting on July 6th.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Big Hole River – Section 5 – from Tony Schoonen FAS to the confluence with the Beaverhead River starting July 10.
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06026420 near Twin Bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Big Hole River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th.
Bitterroot River
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the upper Bitterroot River – from the confluence of the East and West Forks to Veterans Bridge at Hamilton starting July 11.
Water temperature measured at the USGS gage 12344000 near Darby.
This reach of the Bitterroot River is designated in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan as a cutthroat trout fishery. Water temperatures exceeded 66 degrees in this reach of the Bitterroot River for three consecutive days starting on July 7.
Clark Fork River
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the upper Clark Fork River – from the Clark Fork’s origin at the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek to the mouth of the Blackfoot River starting July 11.
Temperature were measured at USGS gage 12324200 at Clark Fork in Deer Lodge, and USGS Clark Fork near Garrison as well as an FWP temperature logger at Bearmouth.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degree in this reach of the upper Clark Fork River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th.
Jefferson River
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the entire Jefferson River – from the confluence of the Big Hole River and Beaverhead rivers to the Missouri River starting July 10.
Temperatures were measured at the USGS gage (06026500) near Twin Bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Jefferson River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th.
Madison River
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River – from Hebgen Reservoir to upstream most Yellowstone National Park boundary starting June 19.
Temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06023100 near West Yellowstone.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on June 15.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower Madison River – from Warm Springs BLM day-use area to the confluence with the Jefferson River starting July 2.
River flows were measured at USGS gage 06041000 below Ennis Reservoir. Water Temperatures were measured at the Sloan gage that is operated by Northwestern Energy, which is near the Blacks Ford FAS.
