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“Hoot-owl” fishing restrictions announced for Sun River

Posted at 9:53 PM, Aug 06, 2018
and last updated 2018-08-06 23:53:38-04

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has closed fishing after several days of warm water temperatures along the Sun River.

The "hoot-owl" closure on the Sun River covers from Highway 287 Bridge to the mouth of the Muddy Creek west of Great Falls.

A "hoot-owl" fishing restriction is an afternoon fishing closure from 2 p.m. through midnight.

Angling closures occur when water levels drop below critical levels, when water quality is diminished, or when maximum daily water temperatures reach at least 73 degrees for three consecutive days.

According to FWP, the preferred water temperature for rainbow and brown trout is about 55-57 degrees. Temperatures of 77 degrees or more can be lethal.

The "hoot-owl" restriction on the Sun River goes into effect immediately and will continue until conditions improve.

"Fishing only in the cool morning hours can help," Jason Mullen, FWP Region 4 fisheries specialist, said. "We’re trying to minimize additional stress on wild trout during this summer of high water temperatures and low flows. This is really important among catch-and-release anglers who should reel in their catch and release it as fast as possible. Reducing the time on the line can really help the survival of trout this time of year."

You can visit the Fish, Wildlife and Parks website for more information on emergency angling restrictions.

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