Jul 28, 2026 3:53 PMHELENA – Rising river water temperatures are prompting more daily fishing restrictions and a few localized closures for several Montana rivers and creeks in the southwest and western part of the state. The first of these restrictions, commonly known as hoot owl restrictions, prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day. Fishing restrictions are already in effect for additional waterbodies in the state and other sections of some of the rivers and creeks listed above. For a full list of current fishing restrictions, click here. In cutthroat trout waters, angling restrictions occur when the temperatures reach at least 66 degrees for three consecutive days.