Area between Clark Canyon Dam and Pipe Organ FAS to close Sept. 1
DILLON – A portion of the Beaverhead River will close to fishing earlier than normal due to drought conditions and a subsequent reduction in flows.
A full fishing closure will begin Sept. 1 from Clark Canyon Dam to Pipe Organ Fishing Access Site. The seasonal spawning closure in that reach, which runs Oct. 1 through the third Saturday in May, will remain in place regardless of river conditions.
The early closure comes following coordination between dam operators, irrigators, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. To help address declining water levels in Clark Canyon Reservoir after years of drought, dam operators plan to reduce outflows starting Sept. 1, which is about a month earlier than normal for winter flows. Current inflows to Clark Canyon Reservoir are only 157 cubic feet per second, with the reservoir at less than 30 percent of capacity. Several large water users downstream will also cease irrigation operations Sept. 1, in part, to help minimize impacts to the Beaverhead fishery.
Low flows create stressful conditions for fish, making them more susceptible to excessive mortality from angling. FWP's drought criteria provides for angling restrictions and closures based on stream flow and temperature thresholds. FWP staff will continue to monitor flows and water temperatures in coordination with dam operators in an effort to avoid additional fishing closures downstream of Pipe Organ FAS.
Other fishing regulations still apply for the Beaverhead River. To see the current regulations, click here. For current restrictions and closures of Montana waterbodies, click here.