After recent rain and cooler temperatures, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks will lift fishing restrictions on several rivers around the state effective at midnight tonight. Water temperatures have cooled enough in some areas to meet the criteria to lift fishing restrictions.

In southwest Montana, hoot owl restrictions will be lifted on the following rivers and river sections:

• Gallatin River
• East Gallatin River
• Shields River
• Madison River between the town of Ennis and Ennis Reservoir
• The restrictions above Hebgen Reservoir and below Ennis Reservoir will remain

In west-central Montana, hoot owl restrictions will be lifted on the following river sections:

• Clark Fork River from the Flathead River to Rock Creek
• Mouth closures on Clark Fork River at St. Regis River, Fish Creek and Rattlesnake Creek
• St. Regis River from the mouth to Twelvemile Creek
• Upper Bitterroot River from Veteran’s Bridge in Hamilton to the confluence of East and West
• Rock Creek from Stoney Creek to the confluence of West and Middle Forks of Rock Creek
• Blackfoot River from the mouth to Cedar Meadow Fishing Access site

The following hoot owl restrictions in west-central Montana remain:

• Bitterroot River from the mouth to Veteran’s Bridge in Hamilton
• Clark Fork River above Rock Creek from the mouth of Rock Creek to its origin at the mouth of Warm Springs Creek
• Silver Bow Creek

Hoot owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day and are designed to protect fish, specifically trout, that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions, such as low flows and high water temperatures, combine with other stressors.

These restrictions are implemented based on several considerations: stream flow, water temperatures, angling pressure and other angling restrictions in the area that may divert use to waterways where circumstances are increasing stress on the fishery.?

Along with monitoring stream temperatures, FWP also monitors stream flows and in some streams holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click?here.

Anglers can help reduce stress for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish:??

• Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted.??
• Land the fish quickly.??
• Wet your hands before handling the fish.???
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.???
• Remove the hook gently.
• Consider fishing areas with less stressful temperatures and conditions, such as larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation waterbodies.?

Multiple rivers in Montana have fishing restrictions and closures currently in place. For the latest information on waterbody restrictions, visit:?fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures.