Montana officials ease restrictions on fishing

GREAT FALLS, Mont. – State wildlife officials are lifting fishing restrictions on six rivers because cooler weather has lowered the high water temperatures that stress fish.

The Department of Fish, Wildlife and Parks reopening the Smith River to fishing on Thursday. It was closed on July 12.

“The cool nights and more moderate daytime temperatures are offering some relief,” said Bruce Rich, regional fisheries manager in Bozeman. “Water temperatures are cooler, so the river’s fish aren’t in the stressful hot zone that can be fatal to wild trout.”

The agency on Tuesday lifted the afternoon and evening fishing restrictions on the Shields and East Gallatin rivers along with the Gallatin River from the Interstate 90 bridge to Three Forks and the Madison River from Ennis Dam to the Warm Springs Access.

Rich noted, however, that low-water conditions are keeping fishing closures in place on most of the Big Hole River and the entire Jefferson River.

Fishing on the Madison River from Warm Springs Access to Three Forks is still permitted only between the hours of midnight and 2 p.m.

The Sun River remains closed to afternoon and evening fishing because water temperatures are still too high.

Starting at 2 p.m. Thursday, anglers will be able to fish the Smith whenever they like. However, fisheries biologists are asking anglers to bring a thermometer to check water temperature and quit fishing if the water reaches 70 degrees.

FWP closes streams to fishing when low-water conditions and high temperatures, combined with fishing pressure, would lead to an unacceptable level of stress on fish.