Bitterroot Trout Unlimited

08/23/2026

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08/13/2026

Thanks to cooler, longer nights, conditions are better in some of our western MT waters, and we're lifting all closures and some "hoot-owl" restrictions (fishing closed 2 p.m.-midnight) in western Montana beginning Aug. 13.

❓What is still in hoot-owl restrictions in western MT❓
➡ Bitterroot River downstream from Veteran's Bridge in Hamilton to the confluence with the Clark Fork
➡ Clark Fork River from its origin at the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek to the confluence with the Blackfoot
➡ Silver Bow Creek in its entirety from Blacktail Creek at Montana St. in Butte to the mouth of Warm Springs Creek at the Gas City Rd. Bridge

🔎 Find the statewide list of restrictions & closures here: https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions

😅 Even where we don't have restrictions, it is important to take it easy on fish. Handle and release fish quickly & keep them in the water as much as possible.

🌄 Montana also offers many other angling options with better conditions for fish this time of year, including lakes, reservoirs, and higher-elevation waters.

08/07/2026

Please join the Community Meeting on Tuesday, August 18 to learn about major concerns with the Sheep Creek Mine Exploration Plan AND to voice your own concerns with this headwaters mine proposal.

We are grateful to the Bitterroot National Forest for offering a 30-day public comment period, opening August 14.

🟢 COMMUNITY MEETING 8/18🟢: After a panel presentation highlighting deficiencies in the Exploration Proposal, you can submit your public comment.

🟢 Speakers include Dr. Phil Ramsey, Ravalli County Commissioners, the Bitterroot Water Partnership, and others.

🟢 Your voice matters - and your presence does too. Your participation in the Public Meeting will help show our representatives and US Critical Materials where we stand on this issue.

🟠 The Exploration Plan is currently being reviewed under a 'Categorical Exclusion', the lowest level of review available. We urge the Forest Service to recognize the extraordinary circumstances that warrant this Plan be reviewed with a complete Environmental Assessment.

Subscribe at DontPolluteTheRoot.com for action alerts and guidance during this critical Public Comment Period.



Clark Fork Coalition American Rivers Montana Trout Unlimited

08/01/2026

Latest update for hoot-owl

Additional “hoot-owl” fishing restrictions (fishing closed 2 p.m.-midnight) begin Aug. 1 on the East and West Forks of the Bitterroot River to help reduce stress on fish:
🦉West Fork of the Bitterroot River, from Painted Rocks Dam to the confluence with the East Fork of the Bitterroot.
🦉Upper East Fork of the Bitterroot River from Star Falls to the Highway 93 crossing at Sula. ➡ The section below this to the river’s confluence with the West Fork of the Bitterroot is already under hoot-owl restrictions.

🔎 Find the statewide list of restrictions & closures here: fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures

07/29/2026

Updated restrictions as of July 29th.

07/24/2026

Check out the link to the website. You will get a chance to view some of our live auction and silent auction items! Tickets are available online only.

07/22/2026

Hoot-owl restrictions

Attention anglers! Additional “hoot-owl” fishing restrictions begin July 22 on several rivers across the state due to rising water temperatures.

So what’s a hoot-owl restriction? It means fishing is closed from 2 p.m. to midnight each day when water temperatures are highest, and fish are most vulnerable.

New restrictions will impact several rivers, including:

-Big Hole River from the confluence with the North Fork of the Big Hole River to Dickie Bridge
-Madison River from Eight Mile Ford Fishing Access Site to Ennis Reservoir
-Shields River from the bridge upstream of Wilsall between Jordan Bench and Pinkerton roads to the confluence with the Yellowstone River
-Yellowstone River from the Hwy. 89 bridge near Livingston to the Hwy. 212/310 bridge in Laurel
-Smith River from the confluence of the North and South forks of the Smith River to Eden Bridge
-Upper Clark Fork from the Clark Fork’s origin at the confluence of Warm Springs Creek and Silver Bow Creek to the mouth of Flint Creek
-Bitterroot River in its entirety, from the confluence of the East and West forks to the confluence with the Clark Fork River

Catch-and-release anglers can reduce stress on fish by handling fish quickly, keeping them in the water and reviving them prior to releasing them. As the summer warms, Montana offers many other angling options with better conditions for fish, including larger lakers, reservoirs, and higher-elevation lakes and streams.

Stay up to date on all current restrictions here: https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures

04/13/2026

The Bitterroot National Forest on Monday said that a mining company that owns mineral rights near the West Fork of the Bitterroot River has rescinded its draft plan for exploration of the Sheep Creek Project in order to submit a revised proposal by the end of April.