NORRIS – A hoot-owl fishing restriction on the lower Madison River will be lifted Wednesday thanks to recent cooler water temperatures.
The restriction has been in place since July 10 for this reach of the river between the footbridge at the NorthWestern Energy powerhouse to the river’s confluence with the Jefferson River. That restriction will no longer be in effect starting Wednesday.
Other fishing restrictions and closures may be in effect in other waterbodies. All fishing is prohibited during full fishing closures. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight daily.
Fishing restrictions and closures like these are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when low flows and high water temperatures combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing.
Anglers can reduce stress on fish at all times of the year by getting fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them prior to releasing them back into the river.
Along with monitoring stream temperatures, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also monitors stream flows, and in some streams, holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click here.
For a list of current fishing restrictions and closures in Montana, click here.
Commentaires