Fishing Closures Put In Place On Entire Big Hole And Jefferson Rivers Beginning August 17

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BOZEMAN— Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks announced today that all fishing on the entire Big Hole River and the entire Jefferson River will close effective Friday, Aug. 17 at 12:01 a.m. due to extremely low flows that threaten the rivers’ wild trout and grayling populations.

 

The Big Hole closure covers the 102 miles from the mouth of the North Fork ( 15 miles north of Wisdom) to the mouth near Twin Bridges. The Jefferson closure covers the entire 77 miles of the river from Twin Bridges to Three Forks.

 

Anglers are reminded that the upper reach of the Big Hole ( Rock Creek Road approximately five miles south of Wisdom to the mouth of the North Fork) remains closed to all fishing. This closure went into effect on July 5 after reaching flow triggers identified in the Big Hole Watershed Drought Plan.

 

“Flows on these rivers have reached critical levels, which warrant full closures per the drought plans developed by the respective Big Hole and Jefferson community watershed committees,” said Bruce Rich, FWP regional fisheries manager.

 

“This closure is part of the cooperative effort between irrigators, anglers, and outfitters to get our fisheries resources through these tough drought times and we want to acknowledge and thank all of them for their efforts,” Rich said.

 

These closures will remain in place until which time flow and temperature conditions return to levels warranting reopening as per the watershed committee drought plans.

 

For the latest information on drought and fire restrictions and closures in Montana, visit FWP’s website at http://fwp.mt.gov/news/drought/default.html.