Page 33 - Flathead River News Today

Rivers and streams in northwest Montana are running at or near historic lows for late July, and local anglers are encouraged to try and reduce added impacts to cold-water fish

Warm temperatures have caused some restrictions and full closures for some of our favorite fishing spots.

Warm temperatures have caused some restrictions and full closures for some of our favorite fishing spots.

The combination of low water levels and high-water temperatures adds stress to native trout populations that could lead to devastating ecological impacts.

UPDATE 7/25: After Flathead County Commissioners sent a letter to Gov. Gianforte, requesting a Disaster Declaration as Flathead Lake water levels drop, Gianforte has asked the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture

The Montana Department of Transportation and Frontier West expect to begin work rehabilitating the Perma bridge over the Flathead River on July 24.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is putting full fishing closures and hoot-owl restrictions on portions of some rivers and creeks in western and southwestern Montana.

Full fishing closures prohibit all fishing. Hoot-owl restrictions close all fishing daily from 2 p.m. to midnight. The restrictions will stay in effect until conditions improve.

Gov. Greg Gianforte is asking the federal government to declare a drought disaster area in 11 Montana counties.

The first full fishing closures of the year in Montana went into effect Wednesday on stretches of the Madison River and the Clark Fork River because of warming waters, while even more afternoon and evening restrictions were added on portions of other popular rivers for anglers.