FOAMLine, Vol. 35, No. 4, September 2026
IN THIS ISSUE:
Beaverhead River Fishing Closure
Fishing Restrictions Lifted for Several SW Montana Rivers
Upper Bitterroot Rare Earth Project Comment Period Open
Montana Stream Access Rally
Beaverhead River Fishing Closure: Area between Clark Canyon Dam and Pipe Organ FAS to Close September 1st
A portion of the Beaverhead River will close to fishing earlier than normal due to drought conditions and a subsequent reduction in water flow.
A full fishing closure will begin September 1st from Clark Canyon Dam to Pipe Organ Fishing Access Site. The seasonal spawning closure in that reach, which runs October 1st through the third Saturday in May, will remain in place regardless of river conditions.
The early closure comes following coordination between dam operators, irrigators, and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. To help address declining water levels in Clark Canyon Reservoir after years of drought, dam operators plan to reduce outflows starting September 1st, which is about a month earlier than normal for winter flows. Current inflows to Clark Canyon Reservoir are only 157 cubic feet per second, with the reservoir at less than 30 percent of capacity. Several large water users downstream will also cease irrigation operations on September 1st, in part, to help minimize impacts to the Beaverhead fishery.
Low flows create stressful conditions for fish, making them more susceptible to excessive mortality from angling. FWP’s drought criteria provides for angling restrictions and closures based on stream flow and temperature thresholds. FWP staff will continue to monitor flows and water temperatures in coordination with dam operators in an effort to avoid additional fishing closures downstream of Pipe Organ FAS.
Other fishing regulations still apply for the Beaverhead River. To see the current regulations, click here.
Fishing Restrictions Lifted for Several SW Montana Rivers
Daily fishing restrictions, commonly known as hoot-owl restrictions, have been lifted for several rivers in southwestern Montana with cooling water temperatures.
Restrictions have been removed for the Gallatin, Jefferson, Ruby and Shields rivers. The following updates have been made for the Madison River:
- The restriction immediately upstream of Ennis Reservoir and the closure downstream of the reservoir have been removed.
- A hoot-owl restriction remains in effect upstream of Hebgen Reservoir to the boundary of Yellowstone National Park.
- A hoot-owl restriction remains in effect from the Bureau of Land Management’s Warm Springs boat launch to the confluence with the Jefferson River.
Drought-related fishing restrictions remain in effect for portions of Madison, Beaverhead, and Big Hole rivers. These restrictions were implemented because of warm water temperatures. Hoot-owl restrictions prohibit fishing from 2 p.m. to midnight each day to prevent excessive fish mortality from angling when water temperatures are warm. Full closures prohibit angling for the entire day.
Water conservation efforts continue to be important to Montana’s fisheries. Staff with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks are working with irrigators and other partners to improve flows and other instream conditions where possible.
Anglers can reduce stress on fish at all times of the year by getting the fish to the net or in hand quickly, keeping them in the water, and reviving them before releasing them back into the river.
To view current drought-related fishing restrictions and closures, click here.
Upper Bitterroot Rare Earth Exploration Project Comment Period Open
Outfitters and Guides are facing a very significant, if not possibly catastrophic, Rare Earth Minerals Exploration Project at the headwaters of the Bitterroot River. The Bitterroot is one of the top 8 most fished waters in all of Montana, and it is certainly one of the most fished waters in the Missoula Region of FOAM (the Fishing Outfitters Association of Montana). The Bitterroot River is vital to a large portion of Western Montana Guides and Outfitters. The Missoula fishery would be devastated without it.
The public comment period is open now only until September 12th with the USFS on the proposed mine.
The Bitterroot National Forest has initiated the environmental review of the Sheep Creek Rare Earth Exploration Project’s initial draft Plan of Operations (Plan). US Critical Materials (USCM) as the mining claimant, holds a statutory right to explore for locatable mineral resources on federally administered lands under the General Mining Law of 1872. The Forest Service is required to analyze the Plan to determine reasonable requirements for protecting surface resources. The Forest Service must review, approve, or require modifications to Plans under applicable federal mining and environmental laws.
USCM’s operation would include a short‑term, helicopter-supported mineral exploration program located on unpatented mining claims within the Bitterroot National Forest, West Fork Ranger District, Ravalli County, Montana. The project is designed to evaluate subsurface geology for critical minerals—including gallium, samarium, scandium, neodymium, and praseodymium.
Exploration activities would occur at four locations in the Sheep Creek area. Proposed work includes bulk sampling at one adit location and diamond-core drilling at three surface locations, installation of temporary helicopter landing platforms, selective vegetation clearing, minor site grading, construction of small working pads, and excavation of small, lined sumps for drill-water recirculation.
The exploration program is expected to result in less than one acre of total surface disturbance and would be conducted over roughly one year. Bulk sampling and drilling activities would be temporary, would not involve road construction, and would not include ore processing or commercial extraction.
For more information on the proposed project, click here.
Show Up for Montana Stream Access: Live Music, Food, Drinks, and a Community Rally for Montana Stream Access
Montana’s stream access laws are the best in the nation. Keeping them that way requires all of us.
Join us on Thursday, September 17, for the Montana Stream Access Rally at the Emerson Lawn in Bozeman. This free community event will bring together conservation organizations, businesses, elected officials, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts, and Montanans whose livelihoods depend on access to our shared waters.
Hear from speakers discussing the history, current challenges, and future of stream access in Montana, as well as what each of us can do to help protect it.
The evening will also feature live music, food trucks, beer, and beverages.
Thursday, September 17
5:30 PM to 8:30 PM
The Emerson Lawn
111 S Grand Ave, Bozeman
Public access does not protect itself. Show up, make your voice heard, and help defend one of Montana’s greatest traditions.
Go HERE for all the information on this event.
