HELENA – The entire Big Hole River will be closed to fishing starting at midnight tonight, Aug. 30, due to low flows, high water temperatures and an unseasonably warm and dry forecast.

Fishing restrictions and closures like these are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions, such as low flows and high water temperatures, combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing.

Anglers can reduce stress on fish at all times of the year by getting fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them prior to releasing them back into the river.

Along with monitoring stream temperatures, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks also monitors stream flows, and in some streams, holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall. For more information on FWP water rights, click here.

For a list of current drought-related fishing restrictions and closures, click here.