New Montana Fishing Restrictions Just Announced

Montana is in the middle of a heat wave! While many of us are soaking up the sun, hitting the rivers, and squeezing every bit out of summer—this spike in temperatures isn’t just warming up our tans. Whether you’re floating, fishing, or just trying to cool off, you’ve probably noticed the water isn’t quite as cold as it was a few weeks ago.

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That rising water temperature has a big impact on fish and aquatic life. And because of that, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has announced new hoot owl fishing restrictions on several rivers across the state, starting Wednesday, July 10th, and lasting until further notice.

What Are Hoot Owl Restrictions?

These restrictions mean no fishing is allowed from 2 p.m. to midnight on the rivers listed below. Reason being, that when water temps are highest and fish are under the most stress. The goal is to protect fish populations, especially trout, which are extremely sensitive to water temperatures and low oxygen levels.

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The rivers below are under Hoot Owl Restrictions and have had water temperatures 73 degrees or higher for three consecutive days. You can CLICK HERE for the specific sections of the rivers.

BEAVER HEAD RIVER
BIG HOLE RIVER
JEFFERSON RIVER
MADISON RIVER
RUBY RIVER
SMITH RIVER
SUN RIVER

So, while it might be tempting to cast a line after work, make sure to double-check the latest restrictions before you head out. These rules aren’t just red tape—they’re in place to protect Montana’s rivers and keep our fish populations thriving for future seasons.

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Want to stay in the loop on daily river conditions? Tune in to the 100.7 XL Country Morning Show at 6:30 AM for our Warriors and Quiet Waters Fishing Report, proudly brought to you by Rocky Mountain Supply.

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Spring and summer will be here before you know it, and many Bozemanites will start to work on their lawns, trees, shrubbery, flower, and vegetable gardens.

Of course, while there is a great amount of pride that people take when they put in long hours to enhance and improve their home's landscaping, there are some important things that you should know when it comes to not only helping conserve water in our area but also to make sure that you are in accordance with city guidelines.

The City of Bozeman has lots of information on its website that will not only make sure you're up to date when it comes to city regulations but there are some great tips that can help you make sure that you're doing your part to make sure there is enough water for everyone.

Gallery Credit: Megan Shaul, Derek Wolf