Montana Rivers Becoming Too Low and Too Hot for Fish
The continuing drought and the early fire season continue to cause major restrictions throughout Montana. In Western Montana, Stage 2 fire restrictions have been put on most lands, including, most recently, on those of the Bureau of Land Management. But, starting in southwest Montana and on into eastern Montana, it's the rivers that are, literally, taking the heat.
When Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks receives word that a river has dropped below a critical level for fish survival or the stream's daily water temperature is at least 73 degrees for three days in a row, that river is closed to any fishing.