Hoot owl restrictions (prohibits angling between 2 PM to midnight) are in effect for the Lower Beaverhead River - from Hwy 41 near East Bench Road and Beaverhead Rock to its confluence with the Big Hole River starting July 11.
Temperatures were measured at the DNRC gage 41B 09000 at Silverbow Lane.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Beaverhead River for three consecutive days starting on July 7.
Big Hole River
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for portions of the Big Hole River.
Section 1 - from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road to the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River starting July 15.
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06024450 near Wisdom.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Big Hole River for three consecutive days starting on July 11.
Section 5 - from Tony Schoonen FAS to the confluence with the Beaverhead River starting July 15.
Water temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06026420 near Twin Bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Big Hole River for three consecutive days starting on July 11.
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 (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 are 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 are 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.
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 are 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 are 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.
Ruby River
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.
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 are measured at the USGS gauge 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.
