Montana FWP lifts some Madison and Beaverhead hoot-owl hours as water cools

Southwestern Montana got some afternoon hours back. FWP and the Daily Montanan (Sept. 10) said cooling water let the agency lift hoot-owl restrictions on the Beaverhead from Selway Bridge FAS to the Big Hole confluence and on the Madison from Warm Springs boat launch to the Jefferson. The Outdoor Wire release also lists the Gallatin, Jefferson, Ruby, and Shields as cleared, plus the Ennis Reservoir Madison stretch.

Hoot-owl still means no fishing 2 p.m. to midnight. FWP’s restriction page still shows a hoot-owl from the Yellowstone Park boundary down to Hebgen, and drought closures remain on portions of the Beaverhead and Big Hole. Those July heat rules were triggered when water ran over 73°F for three straight days.

Read the live FWP waterbody-restriction page the morning you fish — this is a partial lift, not a statewide all-clear. Keep fish wet and get them back quickly even where the afternoon ban is gone.

This is a The Gillnet news desk summary, not a reprint.

Source: Daily Montanan — FWP lifts fishing restrictions on Madison, Beaverhead rivers (Sept. 10, 2026). Also: Montana FWP — current waterbody restrictions.