FISHING – High stream temperatures in Western Montana have prompted emergency restrictions on the hours fishing will be allowed on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot and Clark Fork Rivers starting Friday.

Montana Fish Wildlife & Parks officials said all fishing on the prized trout rivers as well as Flint and Silver Bow Creeks will close daily from 2 p.m. to midnight until conditions improve.

The "hoot-owl" restrictions will apply to the entire stretch of the Blackfoot and Bitterroot and on the Clark Fork from the headwaters to its confluence with the Flathead.

On Flint Creek, the “hoot owl” restrictions apply from below the Hwy 1 bridge near milepost 53, downstream to the mouth.  Silver Bow Creek is affected from its confluence with Warm Springs Creek (near Warm Springs) to the confluence with Blacktail Creek (in Butte).

Montana’s angling restrictions kicked because flows have dropped and water temperatures have risen to levels that stress trout.

The preferred water temperature for rainbow and brown trout is about 55-65 degrees. Temperatures of 73 degrees are stressful for rainbow and brown trout.  Temperatures in the mid 60s are stressful to native bull and westslope cutthroat trout.