New Hoot Owl Fishing Restrictions for Many Missoula Area Rivers and Streams
New fishing restrictions are coming for western Montana anglers and they will be here very soon.
Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks is issuing Hoot Owl Restrictions to help keep fish populations thriving through the hottest points of the summer months.
"These restrictions mean that fishing is closed daily, from 2:00 P.M. to midnight and this is due to the warm and warming water temperatures, of course, due to the high air temperatures," said FWP Public Information Officer Vivica Crowser. "It's one thing we can do to reduce our impact on fish and keep their stress levels down this time of year."
According to FWP Hoot owl restrictions will apply to the following regions:
- Blackfoot: Entire length
- Blackfoot tributaries: North Fork and Copper, Monture and Morrell Creeks
- Bitterroot: Tucker Crossing, downstream to confluence with Clark Fork (~47 miles)
- 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.
These restrictions begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, July 29th.