Recent warm weather has increased water temperatures and decreased flows on a number of Montana rivers triggering Hoot-owl restrictions. It seems the days of complete closures are over. Here is the most recent update for those wondering which rivers are under restrictions. Remember, you can still fish these rivers in the early part of the day. We propose that you carry a thermometer and take water temperatures every hour. Also FIGHT FISH QUICKLY, and if you notice fish struggling to recover after the fight, it’s a good sign that it’s time to head to the bar for a cold one.
You probably shouldn’t trust my copy & paste skills, and check out the official report here.
Big Hole River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/23/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to North Fork Big Hole River Mouth (7/22/2016)
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/25/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Big Hole River from Maiden Rock FAS to Notch Bottom FAS. (7/25/2016)
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/23/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Notch Bottom FAS to confluence with the Beaverhead River (7/22/2016)
Bitterroot River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Bitterroot River from Tucker Crossing FAS near Victor to the confluence with the Clark Fork River. (7/28/2016)
Blackfoot River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Length (7/28/2016)
Boulder River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction Lifted starting 7/30/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Boulder River from Natural Bridge to the confluence of the Yellowstone River. (7/29/2016)
Clark Fork River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Clark Fork River from the mouth of Warm Springs Creek near Warm Springs to Rock Creek. (7/28/2016)
Copper Creek
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Length (7/28/2016)
East Gallatin River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/08/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
East Gallatin River from Spring Hill Road Bridge (Hwy411) to the confluence with the Gallatin River. (7/7/2016)
Gallatin River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/01/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
From the confluence with the Madison River at Three Forks to Sheds Bridge (Hwy 84) near Four Corners, MT (6/30/2016)
Jefferson River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/01/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire river. (6/30/2016)
Madison River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 06/30/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Madison River from Ennis Dam to the mouth (6/29/2016)
Mill Willow Bypass
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Downstream portion of Silver Bow Creek Closure (7/28/2016)
Monture Creek
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Length (7/28/2016)
Morrell Creek
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Length (7/28/2016)
North Fork Blackfoot River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Length (7/28/2016)
Ruby River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/25/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Ruby River from Duncan District Road to the confluence with the Beaverhead River. (7/25/2016)
Shields River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Shields River from Daisy Dean Road Bridge to the confluence with the Yellowstone River. (7/28/2016)
Silver Bow Creek
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/29/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Entire Length (7/28/2016)
Smith River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/25/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Smith River from the confluence of the North and South forks of the Smith River to Eden Bridge. (7/24/2016)
Stillwater River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/30/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Stillwater River from the Cliff Swallow FAS downstream to the Yellowstone River (7/29/2016)
Sun River
Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction starting 07/25/2016
Mandatory Drought Closure – 2 PM to Midnight
Sun River from the Highway 287 Bridge to the mouth of Muddy Creek. (7/24/2016)
