MONTANA — With temperatures expected to hit the 90s across much of Montana this weekend, fishing restrictions could be on the way for some streams, Montana, Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) warned.
When water temperatures reach 73 degrees for three consecutive days, FWP said "hoot owl" restrictions go into effect, prohibiting fishing between 2 p.m. and midnight.
FWP said its fisheries and water program staff meet weekly to review conditions across the state and prepare for possible restrictions and closures.
Biologists consider four things before setting hoot owl rules: whether key fish species are present in significant numbers, whether temperature standards are met, how much fishing pressure a stream faces and stream flow conditions.
The agency said the restrictions are meant to protect fish when low water and warm water make them more vulnerable to stress, disease and death.
Anglers are asked to fish during the coolest parts of the day where allowed, bring fish in quickly, keep them in the water as much as possible, remove hooks gently and let fish recover before release.
FWP also urges anglers to check TroutCast, a new interactive online tool that forecasts possible drought impacts on trout over the next one to four weeks.