Hoot-Owl Restrictions in Effect in SW Montana

Warming river water is prompting more hoot-owl fishing restrictions and one complete closure in southwest Montana this week.

The Madison River, from the Madison Dam at Ennis Reservoir to the footbridge at the NorthWestern Energy powerhouse, is closed to fishing at all hours beginning Wednesday, July 15. The closure is in response to warm outflows from Ennis Reservoir that are preventing nighttime cooling in that section of the river. Hoot-owl restrictions, which prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day, also take effect on July 15 at 2 p.m. on the following rivers in southwest Montana...