Montana officials have imposed fishing restrictions on nearly 30 rivers to protect fish species from high temperatures and low streamflows affecting the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Announced on July 28, these new fishing rules add 11 more rivers to the growing list of closures, raising Montana’s total restrictions to 24. Fishing is now banned after 2 p.m. on parts of the Blackfoot River and Rock Creek. Popular trout streams like the Madison, Big Hole, Gallatin, East Gallatin, Jefferson, Upper Clark Fork, Bitterroot, Shields, and Smith are also affected.
Simultaneously, Yellowstone National Park announced that all park rivers are closed to fishing from 2 p.m. to sunrise, building on previous closures of the Gibbon, Firehole, and Madison rivers as of July 15. This year’s warm winter led to poor snowpack levels across Montana, with recent heatwaves counteracting the benefits of June and July rains, according to FWP spokesperson Morgan Jacobsen.
Hoot-owl closures, common in Montana, aim to curb fish mortality during warm periods. Fish experience stress in hot, low-oxygen waters, leading to bans from 2 p.m. to midnight. A stream gauge reading over 73 degrees for three days often triggers such restrictions. Sensitive species like bull trout and cutthroat trout face stricter closures.
Fishing bans are enforced within a 100-yard radius where cool tributaries join the Clark Fork River, impacting Fish Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, and the St. Regis River. Yellowstone officials encourage anglers to fish early, land fish speedily, and ensure fish recovery before release to maintain fishery health and avoid more restrictions. Earlier fishing seasons, like the recent opening on May 1, aim to balance better conditions for trout fishing.
Jacobsen warned of ongoing restrictions until weather conditions improve. The FWP website will provide updates. Additionally, the agency has asked junior water users in basins such as Bighorn, Gallatin, Shields, Smith, and Tongue to halt water withdrawals to protect aquatic ecosystems.
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