[REVISION HISTORY]

US western river trout protection amid heat, fire

Updated 6 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-12 23:13 UTC → 2026-08-21 15:00 UTC · added ~~removed~~

Extreme heat and drought across the U.S. West led to widespread fishing restrictions in mid-to-late summer 2026. In July, Yellowstone National Park issued emergency 24-hour bans on the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon rivers after temperatures reached 80–86 °F, with reports of dead trout. Colorado Parks and Wildlife implemented voluntary closures on the Colorado, Eagle, Crystal, and Roaring Fork rivers due to temperatures peaking at 77 °F and flows dropping below 50% of normal. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks expanded “hoot-owl” restrictions—limiting fishing during the hottest afternoon hours—to cover more than 1,200 miles of streams, including the Big Hole, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, and Bitterroot systems. The agency also maintained full-day closures near the mouths of Fish Creek, Rattlesnake Creek, and the St. Regis River to protect bull trout. Amid these heat-driven measures, officials also noted threats from illegal non-native fish introductions and wildfires, such as the Gold Mountain Fire in Colorado, which necessitated the rescue of native Uncompahgre cutthroat trout. By mid-August, conditions began to shift. In southwest Montana, several hoot-owl and river-mouth restrictions were lifted on the Bitterroot, Blackfoot, Clark Fork, Lolo, and Rock Creek rivers as temperatures decreased, though some Big Hole River sections remained closed due to low streamflows. In Yellowstone, most fishing restrictions were lifted following cooler forecasts, though the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon rivers remained closed because geothermal activity continues to maintain high water temperatures. As of August 12, the park-wide “Hoot Owl” closure for all rivers and streams has been lifted, though the Madison and its tributaries outside the park before Hebgen Lake remain subject to restrictions from 2 p.m. to midnight. Additionally, the Madison, Firehole, and Gibbon rivers remain closed downstream of Norris Campground. In the Northeast Corner, recent rainfall has increased water and sediment levels, though conditions are expected to stabilize.

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