Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Beaverhead River - from Selway Bridge FAS to confluence with the Big Hole starting August 5.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Beaverhead River for three consecutive days starting in late July.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in the lower section of the Beaverhead River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06026210 near Glen and at FWP-monitored thermographs
The lower section between Hwy 41 near East Bench Road and Beaverhead rock to the confluence with the Big Hole River was under Hoot Owl restrictions starting July 11th
Big Hole River
Drought closure (fishing prohibited 24 hrs) is in effect for two sections of the Big Hole River
Section 1: Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadow Road to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River starting August 13
Flows in Section 1 dropped below closure criteria (20 cfs) and remained near or below that threshold since August 5.
Water temperatures and flows were measured at USGS gage 06024450 near Wisdom.
Section 5: Tony Schoonen FAS to the confluence with the Beaverhead River starting August 13
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06026420 near Twin Bridges.
Flows in Section 5 dropped overnight on August 10 and were below closure criteria (100 cfs) by the morning of August 11.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the remaining sections of the Big Hole River
Sections 2 to 4 of Big Hole River - from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadow Road to the confluence with the Beaverhead River starting July 29.
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06026210 near Glen.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees starting on July 25th.
Bitterroot River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Bitterroot River from Veteran's Bridge in Hamilton to the confluence with the Clark Fork River starting July 22.
Temperatures were measured at the USGS gage 12352500 near Missoula.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Bitterroot River for three consecutive days starting July 17.
Blackfoot River
Closed to floating from Weigh Station Fishing Access Site downstream to the point where the river crosses under Interstate 90, beginning July 15 due to construction on a railway bridge.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Clark Fork River - from the Clark Fork’s origin at the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek to the confluence of the Blackfoot River starting July 29.
Temperatures were measured at the USGS Clark Fork gauge 12324200 at Deer Lodge.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Clark Fork River for three consecutive days starting July 17th.
East Gallatin River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the entire East Gallatin River starting July 15.
Flows were measured at DNRC gage 41H 08900 near Manhattan and water temperatures measured by FWP staff at upstream bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees for three consecutive days starting July 9.
Gallatin River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Lower Gallatin River - from Cameron Bridge Road to the confluence with the Missouri River starting July 15.
Flows were measure at USGS gage 06052500 near Logan and water temperatures are measured by FWP staff at upstream bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Gallatin River for three consecutive days starting July 8.
Jefferson River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the entire Jefferson River starting July 15.
Temperatures and flows were measured at U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) gage 06026500 Jefferson River near Twin Bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degree for three consecutive days starting on July 9.
Madison River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River - from the upstream most Yellowstone National Park boundary to Hebgen Reservoir starting July 11.
Flows and water temperatures were measured at the USGS gage 06037500 near West Yellowstone.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 3rd and have approached 80 degrees several days in the last week.
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River - from the Eight Mile FAS to Ennis Reservoir starting July 22.
Water temperatures were measured at the USGS gage 06040050 Madison River near Ennis.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 19th.
Drought Closure (fishing prohibited 24 hours) is in effect for the Madison River from Madison Dam at Ennis Reservoir to the footbridge at NorthWestern Energy powerhouse starting July 15.
Flows and temperatures were measured below Ennis Reservoir at USGS gage 06041000.
Outflows from Ennis Lake have consistently been between 70 and 71 degrees since July 10, even at night. Therefore, fishing at night and early morning hours will leave fish vulnerable to high catch-and-release mortality associated with high water temperatures.
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Lower Madison River - from the footbridge at North Western Energy powerhouse to confluence with the Jefferson River starting July 15.
Flows were measured below Ennis Reservoir at the USGS gage 06041000 and water temperatures are measured at the Sloan gage that is operated by Northwestern Energy, which is near the Blacks Ford FAS.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on July 7th.
Missouri River
Closed to public use and access from downstream of Broadwater Bay Boat Ramp to Black Eagle Dam, including the kayak launch and dock at West Bank Park, beginning July 31 due to construction.
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Lower Ruby River - from Duncan District Road to the confluence with the Beaverhead River starting July 15.
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06023000 near Twin Bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Ruby River for three consecutive days starting on July 10th.
Shields River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Shields River - from the bridge over the Shields River upstream of Wilsall between Jordan Bench and Pinkerton roads to the confluence with Yellowstone River starting July 22.
Water temperatures were measured by FWP staff at bridge crossings.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Shields River for three consecutive days starting July 20.
Silver Bow Creek
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for Silver Bow Creek from the confluence with Blacktail Creek to the mouth of Warm Springs Creek starting July 29.
Water temperature measured at an FWP-managed mobile temperature logger located at Miles Crossing exceeded 73 degrees for three days starting July 24th
Smith River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Smith River - from the confluence of the North and South forks of the Smith River to Eden Bridge starting July 22.
Temperatures were measured at the USGS gage 06077200 below Eagle Creek near Fort Logan.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Smith River for three consecutive days starting July 16.
Sun River
Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Sun River - from the Hwy 287 Bridge to the mouth of Muddy Creek starting July 11.
Temperatures were measured at the USGS gage 06085800 Sun River at Simms.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Sun River for three consecutive days starting July 7.
Emergency river closure due to bridge construction (closed to all forms of use) are in effect for the Sun River - beginning 500 feet upstream and ending 500 feet downstream of the Sun River Bridge (also know as Pishkun Road Bridge) starting June 1.
Adoption of an emergency rule closing a portion of the Sun River (MAR Notice No. 2025-301.1).
The closure of this portion of the Sun River is in place from June 1 to November 15, 2026.
Protecting cold-water trout fisheries in the Northern Rockies
TroutCast is an interactive tool that helps users explore the projected impacts of drought on valuable trout fisheries in the northern Rocky Mountains. As droughts become more frequent and severe, reduced streamflows and rising water temperatures threaten cold-water trout species – impacting populations, fishing opportunities, and local economies.
TroutCast provides insights into how these changes are affecting Montana's renowned blue-ribbon trout fisheries, supporting proactive management and sustainable recreational fishing for anglers today and generations to come.
