“Hoot Owl” Restrictions Ending Soon on Blackfoot Tributaries

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks plans on lifting “hoot owl” fishing restrictions that prohibited fishing after 2:00 p.m. for the Blackfoot tributaries.

The restrictions will come to an end starting tomorrow, Wednesday, Sept. 9.

The Blackfoot was the last holdout in western Montana, and the end of hoot owl restrictions there mean that all western Montana rivers and streams are now free from drought-induced fishing restrictions.

The tributaries included in the new restriction release are Morrell, Gold, Belmont, Cottonwood, Copper, and Monture Creeks; the North Fork of the Blackfoot River below North Fork Falls; and Landers Fork.

Hoot owl restriction for these water ways began on July 30.