In response to moderating temperatures, hoot-owl fishing restrictions will be lifted on the Smith and Sun rivers in Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Region 4, effective Aug. 29.

Water temperatures have met the criteria to change fishing restrictions and FWP expects the temperatures to remain cool.

The restrictions were in effect for the rivers due to warm water temperatures.

Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day.

The restrictions are designed to protect fish that become more susceptible to disease and mortality when low flows and high water temperatures combine with other stressors, including catch-and-release fishing, according to FWP.

Anglers can reduce stress on fish year-round by getting fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them before releasing them back into the river.

FWP monitors stream temperatures and stream flows, and in some streams, holds instream flow water rights. FWP’s water program can issue a call on junior water users, when appropriate, to contribute to stream flows through the late summer and early fall.

More information on FWP water rights is here.

A list of current drought-related fishing restrictions and closures is here.