The entire Jefferson River was closed to fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day effective July 19. Fish, Wildlife and Parks cited high water temperatures and low stream flows as the reason for the “hoot owl” restrictions on several rivers in southwestern Montana. Also covered by the closures were portions of the Big Hole, Lower Beaverhead, Lower Madison, Lower Gallatin and East Gallatin rivers.
The restrictions will remain in effect until conditions improve, said officials. Restrictions were imposed two weeks earlier in the year in 2015 and 2016, said the FWP. Regional Fisheries Manager Travis Horton said, “We’ve been fairly fortunate so far this year with flows in general, but temperatures are high and could stay that way for a while.” Additional restrictions are possible on other stretches of these or other southwest Montana rivers in the coming weeks.
For up-to-date information on restrictions related to drought, visit http://fwp.mt.gov/news/restrictions/.
