As weather cools, FWP lifts fishing restrictions on North Fork of the Flathead

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has lifted the fishing restrictions on the North Fork of the Flathead River as the weather has cooled and rain has fallen.

Air temperatures are moderating and updated weather forecasts call for cooler nights and wetter conditions, especially higher in the drainage. Water temperatures have met the criteria to lift fishing restrictions on the North Fork and FWP expects the temperatures to remain cool.

FWP implemented hoot-owl fishing restrictions on the North Fork on July 24. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. Fishing restrictions are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when conditions, such as low flows and high water temperatures, combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing. Angling restrictions are implemented based on several considerations: stream flow, water temperatures, angling pressure and other angling restrictions in the area that may divert use to waterways where circumstances are increasing stress on the fishery.

Anglers can help reduce stress for fish like westslope cutthroat trout by following these practices when catching and releasing fish:  

• Remember: Only single-pointed hooks are allowed in the Flathead drainage upstream of Teakettle Fishing Access Site on the mainstem Flathead River, and on the Swan River from Piper Creek Bridge downstream to Swan Lake. Treble hooks and double hooks are prohibited in these stretches.
• Fish during the coolest times of day, where permitted. 
• Land the fish quickly. 
• Wet your hands before handling the fish.  
• Keep the fish in water as much as possible.  
• Remove the hook gently. Using artificial lures with single and barbless hooks can make hook removal faster and easier.  
• Let the fish recover before releasing it.
• Consider fishing areas with less stressful temperatures and conditions, such as larger lakes or reservoirs, or higher elevation waterbodies.

For more information and updates, visit https://fwp.mt.gov/news/current-closures-restrictions/waterbody-closures or contact the FWP Region 1 office at 406-752-5501.