Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction prohibits fishing each day between 2 p.m. and midnight
Fishing Closure prohibits any fishing on the stretch of water specified
For seasonal fishing closures, please see current fishing regulations
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) or closures are in effect for the entirety of the Big Hole River. See detail below for information by section.
Flows and water temperatures in Section 1 are measured at USGS gage 06024450 near Wisdom. Flows have gradually decreased since hoot owl restrictions were put in place in early July and dropped below 20 cfs on August 2, 2024. Flows have since fluctuated between 15 and 24 cfs.
The Big Hole River has a drought management plan that is overseen by the Big Hole Watershed Committee and calls for a full closure of Section 1 when flows drop below 20 cfs. FWP staff visited the site to confirm the gage was providing accurate measurements. At the time, the gage was reading 46 cfs and staff measured closer to 35 cfs, so there’s a high likelihood that flows are lower than being reported.
USGS gage information is from: Section 4; USGS gages 06026210 and 0602550 near Glen and Melrose.
Water temperatures have consistently exceeded 73 degrees. Therefore, hoot owl restrictions are warranted for section 4 of the Big Hole River.
Water temperatures and flows are measured in Section V at USGS gage 06026420 near Twin Bridges.
Flows have gradually decreased since hoot owl restrictions were put in place in early July and dropped below 100 cfs on the morning of August 1, 2024. The Big Hole River has a drought management plan that is overseen by the Big Hole Watershed Committee and calls for a full closure of Section V when flows drop below 100 cfs.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Bitterroot River from the Clark Fork River upsteam to Veteran's Bridge beginning August 14.
Below Veterans Bridge, water temperature measured at the USGS station near Missoula (12352500) show two consecutive days over 73F (July 9, 10), with the third consecutive day forecasted to occur today, July 11. This reach of the Bitterroot River is designated in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan as a non-native salmonid fishery.
Above Veteran’s Bridge, water temperature measured at the USGS station near Darby (12344000) show three consecutive days over 66F (July 8, 9, 10). This reach of the Bitterroot River is designated in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan as a cutthroat trout fishery.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Clark Fork River from the mouth of Warm Springs Creek to the mouth of Rock Creek (near Clinton, MT) beginning July 10
Temperatures throughout the reach have exceeded 73F each of the past two days (starting 7/7/2024) and are expected to exceed 73F for a third day today (7/9/2024), with generally warmer temperatures further downstream in the reach. Water temperature measured at USGS Clark Fork at Deer Lodge 12324200 peaked over 73F each day, and FWP temperature sensor data from Bearmouth has shown water temperatures peaking over 73F each of the past three days.
Temperatures have exceeded the 73F Hoot-Owl criteria for the past two days and are expected to for a third day today at multiple USGS and FWP monitoring sites and are generally trending higher. Longer term forecasts are calling for local temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s for the foreseeable future, this is likely to keep temperatures warm and stressful for fish. Additionally, flows in this reach continue to drop, and are currently well lower than median values. Angling pressure on the Clark Fork is generally low, however anglers were observed at multiple access points near Deer Lodge over the past several days in the late afternoon. Considering historically low fish numbers on parts of the Upper Clark Fork any angling pressure in the late afternoon at current temperatures could be detrimental to the fishery.
Fishing Closure in effect for the Jefferson River beginning August 3
These restrictions will remain in effect until conditions improve.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River Hebgen Reservoir to upstream most Yellowstone National Park boundary beginning July 18
Flows and water temperatures are measured at 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 7th and have approached 80 degrees many days in the last week.
Air temperatures in the upper 80s to 90s are anticipated for the foreseeable future. This recommendation extends the existing hoot owl restrictions to several short sections of water upstream now that Yellowstone National Park has instituted similar restrictions on the Madison River within the park boundaries. Once this recommendation is in place, all sections of the Madison River outside of YNP upstream of Hebgen Reservoir will be covered by hoot owl restrictions. The previous restrictions did not include these sections because of likely confusion by anglers and difficulties for Enforcement staff.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Madison River Footbridge at NorthWestern Energy powerhouse to confluence with the Jefferson River beginning July 18.
Flows and temperatures are measured below Ennis Reservoir at 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. Outflows from Ennis Lake have consistently been between 72-73 degrees since July 13, even at night, which has exacerbated issues with high water temperatures in the lower Madison River. With enough distance from the dam, cooling of outflows from Ennis Reservoir is sufficient to allow fishing during early hours of the days.
Air temperatures over 90 F are anticipated for the foreseeable future. The lower Madison River receives high angling pressure.
Fishing Closure is in effect for the Madison River from Madison Dam at Ennis Reservoir to footbridge at NorthWestern Energy powerhouse beginning July 18.
Flows and temperatures are measured below Ennis Reservoir at USGS gage 06041000.
Outflows from Ennis Lake have consistently been between 72-74 degrees since July 13, 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.
Air temperatures over 90 F are anticipated for the foreseeable future. The bypass channel of the lower Madison River receives high angling pressure especially from wade anglers that can easily navigate this section of river.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the entirety of Silver Bow Creek. From the confluence with Blacktail Creek at Montana Street in Butte to the confluence with Warm Springs Creek at the Gas City Rd Bridge (RM 0.0) beginning July 10
Temperatures throughout Silver Bow Creek have exceeded 73F each of the past two days (7/7 and 7/8) and will exceed 73F for a third straight day today (7/9), with generally warmer temperatures further downstream. Water temperature was measured at USGS Silver Bow Creek at Opportunity 12323600. Flows in Silver Bow creek have been fluctuating between 50-80 CFS at the Opportunity Gauge. Flows are slightly above average, however this is largely due to 10-15 CFS of treated Berkley Pit water being discharged to the Creek and this discharge will be discontinued in the coming days.
Temperatures have exceeded the 73F Hoot-Owl criteria for the past two days and will again for a third straight day today at multiple USGS and FWP monitoring sites and are generally trending higher. Longer term forecasts are calling for local temperatures in the 80’s and 90’s for the foreseeable future, this is likely to keep temperatures warm and stressful for fish. Angling pressure on Silver Bow Creek is generally low, however angling has been observed at multiple access points from the confluence with German Gulch downstream to opportunity regularly over the past several weeks.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Smith River from Eden Bridge to the confluence of the North and South forks beginning July 12
USGS gauge 06077200 Smith River below Eagle Creek near Fort Logan 7/10/24 at 11:15 am.
Smith River water temperatures at the gage below Eagle Creek near Fort Logan reached or exceeded 73F on July 8, 9, and 10. The National Weather Service forecast calls for continued hot weather, and water temperatures are expected to reach or exceed 73F for the foreseeable future. Low discharge is also a concern.
High daily maximum water temperature, NWS forecast for sustained hot weather, low and likely declining discharge.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Sun River from the mouth of Muddy Creek to Hwy 287 Bridge beginning July 10
Sun River water temperatures at the Simms gage reached or exceeded 73F on June 22 through June 26. Water temperatures reached 77F on July 7. The National Weather Service forecast calls for continued hot weather. Low discharge is also a concern.