Big Hole river
experiences seasonal closures
MONTANA FISH, WILDLIFE
AND PARKS
An 18-mile stretch of
the lower Big Hole River will be closed to fishing during the
afternoon each day due to a seasonal rise in water temperatures.
A “hoot owl
restriction” will go into effect at 2 p.m. on Aug. 8 from Notch Bottom Fishing
Access Site to the confluence with the Beaverhead River. “Hoot owl restrictions”
prohibit fishing each day between 2 p.m. and midnight.
This closure is in
accordance with the Big Hole Watershed Committee Drought Plan,
which calls for restrictions when water temperatures exceed 73 degrees for
three or more consecutive days, or when other thresholds are met. Restrictions
of this nature are enacted to protect fish species like Arctic grayling,
rainbow trout and brown trout, which all become more susceptible to disease and
mortality when conditions like low flows and high temperatures combine with
additional stressors.
This section of the
river will reopen when daily peak temperatures are below 70 degrees for three
consecutive days, but no later than Sept. 15.
