Hoot Owl Fishing Restriction prohibits fishing each day between 2 p.m. and midnight
Fishing Closure prohibits any fishing on the stretch of water specified
For seasonal fishing closures, please see current fishing regulations
Drought Closures (fishing prohibited 24 hours) are in effect for all sections (1 - 5) of the Big Hole River from Saginaw Bridge on Skinner Meadows to the confluence with the Beaverhead River starting August 23.
Stream flows at the Melrose USGS gage 06025500 dropped below 150 cfs (Sections 3 and 4) and stream flows at the DNRC Big Hole River near Wise River gage 06025250 dropped below 100 cfs (Section 2).
No precipitation is forecasted. These closures are added to the existing closure of section 1 and 5, to close the entire Big Hole River.
Closure criteria is described in the Big Hole Drought Management Plan.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the upper Bitterroot River - from the confluence of the East and West Forks to Veterans Bridge at Hamilton starting July 11.
Water temperature measured at the USGS gage 12344000 near Darby.
This reach of the Bitterroot River is designated in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan as a cutthroat trout fishery. Water temperatures exceeded 66 degrees in this reach of the Bitterroot River for three consecutive days starting on July 7.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the entire Blackfoot River main stem - from the the headwaters at the confluence of Anaconda Creek and Beartrap Creek to the confluence with the Clark Fork River August 2.
Temperatures and flows were measured at USGS gage 12340000 near Bonner.
Water temperatures exceeded 71 degrees criteria specified in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan and Blackfoot Drought Response Plan in this reach of the Blackfoot River for three consecutive days starting on July 29. Flows in this reach are currently well below the 25th percentile.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the entire Madison River upstream of Hebgen Reservoir starting September 2nd, which aligns with the existing hoot-owl restriction in Yellowstone National Park. This replaces the full fishing closure that had been in effect since July 17 and a hoot owl restriction that has been in effect since August 29.
Temperatures and flows were measured at USGS gage 06037500 near West Yellowstone.
Water temperatures have consistently peaked in the upper 70s for over a week.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower Madison River - from Warm Springs BLM day-use area to the confluence with the Jefferson River starting July 2.
River flows were measured at USGS gage 06041000 below Ennis Reservoir. Water Temperatures were measured at the Sloan gage that is operated by Northwestern Energy, which is near the Blacks Ford FAS.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Madison River for three consecutive days starting on June 28.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for upper Rock Creek - from the confluence of the West and Middle Forks to the mouth of Stoney Creek starting July 11.
Temperature were measured with portable sensors at Bohrnsen Bridge .
This reach of Rock Creek is designated in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan as a cutthroat trout fishery. Water temperatures exceeded 66 degree in this reach of Rock Creek for three consecutive days starting on July 7th.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the lower Shields River - from Brackett Creek Road to the confluence with the Yellowstone River starting July 17.
Temperatures were measured by FWP staff at bridge crossings.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the lower Shields River for three consecutive days starting on July 10th.
Hoot owl restrictions (fishing prohibited 2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Sun River - from the Mouth of Muddy Creek to Hwy 287 Bridge starting July 2.
Temperatures were measured at USGS gage 06085800 at Simms.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Sun River for three consecutive days starting on June 29.
Emergency river closure due to bridge construction (closed to all forms of use) are in effect for the Sun River - beginning 500 feet upstream and ending 500 feet downstream of the Sun River Bridge (also know as Pishkun Road Bridge) starting July 30.
Adoption of an emergency rule closing a portion of the Sun River (MAR Notice No. 2025-301.1).
The closure of this portion of the Sun River will remain in place until either the emergency rule lapses or the construction is complete and the department determines the area is safe for the public to use.