Drought Conditions Keep FWP Field Biologists, Parks And Lands Managers On Their Toes

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As the drought conditions across Montana continue, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks personnel are keeping a close watch on the state’s critical resources. Montana State Parks and Fishing Access Sites located within or adjacent to national forest lands will carry the same drought restrictions as national forest lands. Parks visitors and anglers should be sure to check on local fire conditions and determine whether the national forest is open to the public. For example, Painted Rocks State Park was closed earlier this month due to a nearby fire, reopened again last week only to be closed August 2 when the Bitterroot National Forest was closed due to fire danger. "Conditions appear to be deteriorating in a number of areas. We expect to see more restrictions at State Parks and Fishing Access Sites in the next few weeks," said FWP Parks assistant administrator, Tom Reilly. "In some cases, visitors may find local FWP restrictions and closures," Reilly said. For example, signs at many FWP Fishing Access Sites ask anglers to voluntarily restrict fishing to the early morning hours. And, at Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park campfires are no longer allowed in the adjacent camping area. For more information on a particular State Park or Fishing Access site individuals may call the FWP region office or to check on the status of the national forests in Montana go to: www.fs.fed.us/recreation/states/mt.shtml FWP biologists are checking the condition of key fisheries and watching the water levels and temperatures of streams, reservoirs and ponds around the state closely. Already, two reaches of the Big Hole River, the upper and middle reaches, are closed to fishing. Rivers reaching flow levels and temperatures that may trigger a closure to angling are the Bitterroot, Jefferson and Blackfoot Rivers. Others may follow as biologists continue to assess the condition of fisheries around the state. The FWP Commission holds the authority to close river stretches to fishing under Montana law.