"Hoot Owl" Fishing Restrictions Lifted

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks lifted “hoot owl” fishing restrictions on the Bitterroot and Blackfoot River and its tributaries Aug. 10. 

The entire Blackfoot and its North Fork, Copper, Monture and Morrell tributaries, as well as the Bitterroot River from Tucker Crossing downstream, have been under restrictions since July 29 to reduce the impact on drought-stressed fish. 

Now these “hoot owl” restrictions that prohibit fishing during the hottest hours of the day (2 p.m. until midnight) remain only on the following rivers and creeks in west-central Montana:

• Upper Clark Fork:  From headwaters where Silver Bow and Warm Springs Creeks join to Rock Creek (~100 miles).

• Silver Bow Creek: From the confluence with Blacktail Creek to its mouth and confluence with Warm Springs Creek.

 “Low flows are still a concern, particularly in parts of the Blackfoot, and we will continue to monitor to see if fish become congregated and susceptible to fishing pressure,” says Pat Saffel, FWP Region 2 Fisheries Manager.  “Future, more site specific restrictions may be implemented this season if needed.”

Other restrictions also remain in other parts of the state. For up-to-date information on restrictions related to drought, visit fwp.mt.gov/news/restrictions/.