Southwest Montana, August 31st, 2024

The Big Hole River will be closed to fishing in its entirety starting today because of low flows and an expected spike in daily high temperatures.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) said persistent low river flows, high water temperatures and an “unseasonably warm and dry forecast” led to the full closure decision. FWP implements hoot-owl restrictions and fishing closures when rivers reach certain temperature thresholds that can be harmful to cold-water fish like trout.

During the past week and a half, FWP has lifted hoot-owl restrictions on the Beaverhead, Ruby, Smith, Jefferson, Bitterroot, Clark Fork, and portions of the Madison rivers as cooler temperatures and some rain moved through Montana. A hoot owl restriction remains on the Madison River from Hebgen Lake upstream to the Yellowstone Park boundary.