FISHING -- Montana officials say restrictions aren’t needed along a stretch of the Boulder River near Big Timber that residents and anglers protest is being degraded by too many commercial floaters.

Fish, Wildlife and Parks officials are recommending the Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission reject a petition calling for a prohibition on commercial floating on certain days of the week and when the water drops below a certain level, the Associated Press reports.

The commission is scheduled to consider the petition and the recommendation at its meeting today in Helena.

The 66 petitioners say since 2011, pressure has increased on the river and has lasted longer through the season. They say left unchecked, the fishery is in danger.

An FWP investigation into the claims finds that angler use has increased, but there is no indication that trout numbers have suffered.