HELENA — State wildlife officials will be implementing “hoot owl” fishing restrictions on several Montana rivers on Friday, July 12 due to hot weather.
This means that fishing will be prohibited between 2 p.m. and midnight, and these restrictions will remain in place until further notice.
The rivers where hoot owl restrictions will be in effect starting July 12 are:
- Big Hole River – Entire river downstream of Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows Road
- Smith River – From Eden Bridge to the confluence of the North and South forks
- East Gallatin River – Entire river
- Gallatin River – From Amsterdam Road to the confluence with the Missouri River
- Madison River – From Ennis Fishing Access Site (FAS) to Ennis Reservoir
- Clark Fork River – From Rock Creek near Clinton to the confluence with the Flathead River
- Bitterroot River – Entire river, from the confluence of the East and West Forks to the Clark Fork River
- Blackfoot River – From Cedar Meadow FAS to the confluence with the Clark Fork River
Hoot owl restrictions are still in place for parts of the Big Hole, Beaverhead, Clark Fork, Madison, Ruby, and Sun rivers, as well as the Jefferson River and Silver Bow Creek in their entirety.
For more information on waterbody restrictions in Montana, visit here.
