KALISPELL — Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is lifting the fishing restriction on the North Fork Flathead River in northwest Montana, effective Wednesday, Aug. 7.
Air temperatures are moderating and updated weather forecasts call for cooler nights and wetter conditions, especially higher in the drainage. Water temperatures have met the criteria to lift fishing restrictions on the North Fork and FWP expects the temperatures to remain cool.
FWP implemented hoot-owl fishing restrictions on the North Fork on July 24. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. Fishing restrictions are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions, such as low flows and high water temperatures, combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing. Angling restrictions are implemented based on several considerations: stream flow, water temperatures, angling pressure and other angling restrictions in the area that may divert use to waterways where circumstances are increasing stress on the fishery.
