Montana Trout Fishing Restrictions | Missoula News

Missoula News Today | 2 Min News | The Daily News Now! · Jul 22, 2026 · 1m

Montana’s trout are in hot water — literally — and anglers are getting new rules to help. Starting July 22, catch-and-release fishing is banned from 2 p.m. to midnight on key rivers like the Big Hole, Madison, Yellowstone, and Bitterroot, as rising temps and low flows threaten fish survival. Water over 73°F for three days (or 66°F in cutthroat zones) triggers these “hoot-owl” restrictions, since trout can’t survive above 77°F. Trout Unlimited urges quick hook-ups, fast releases, and reviving fish before letting them go — or head to cooler reservoirs or high-elevation streams instead. Listen…