THREE FORKS – A daily fishing restriction will be in effect for the lower Madison River starting today, Aug. 16.

A hoot-owl restriction, which prohibits fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight, will be in place from the river’s confluence with the Jefferson River up to the Warm Springs Day Use Area. Water temperatures in this reach have exceeded 73 degrees for several consecutive days, meeting criteria for the fishing restriction.

Restrictions of this nature are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when stressful conditions combine, such as warm water temperatures, low flows and high angling pressure.

Anglers can help reduce stress and mortality for fish by following these practices when catching and releasing fish, though fish mortality may still occur:

• Fish during the coolest times of the day where permitted.
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.
• Let the fish recover while releasing it.
• During times of high temperatures, consider fishing in areas with lower temperatures, such as larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation waterbodies.

For the latest waterbody restrictions and closures, visit fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures.