FWP restricts fishing on Upper Clark Fork River, Silver Bow Creek

To help ease the strain on fish as water temperatures rise, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks is implementing fishing restrictions on the upper Clark Fork River and Silver Bow Creek beginning Saturday, July 29.

The restriction would not allow fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight on the Clark Fork River from its origins at Warms Springs Creek to Rock Creek near Missoula, and on Silver Bow Creek from its confluence with Blacktail Creek in Butte to where it enters Warm Springs ponds.

FWP looks to restrict fishing when water temperatures rise above 73 degrees for three consecutive days. This criteria has been met on both Silver Bow Creek and the upper Clark Fork River. Restrictions will be in place until the water temperatures fall below 70 degrees for three consecutive days or Sept. 15.

Additionally, other waters in western Montana are seeing increased temperatures due to hot and dry weather.

As water temperatures increase, the amount of oxygen available for fish decreases and recovering from being caught is more difficult. Anglers interested in fishing during these hot summer days should consider fishing early in the day whether restrictions are in place or not.

Anglers releasing fish should land the fish quickly and keep it in the water while removing the hook.