In an effort to safeguard trout during their spawning season, fishing activities will cease in designated sections of the Big Hole, Ruby, and Beaverhead rivers starting from October 1st.
The Montana Fish and Wildlife Commission took swift action in June by implementing emergency fishing regulations due to declining fish populations in these three river systems. These measures restrict autumn angling in certain river segments during the brown trout spawning season.
The trout populations in various areas of these rivers have seen a gradual decline since 2011, reaching or approaching historic lows. Simultaneously, there has been an increase in fishing pressure within these areas. The emergency fishing regulations are aligned with Montana's draft statewide fisheries management plan, aiming to be responsive to the condition of fish populations.
Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks is embarking on a new research initiative in partnership with Montana State University, focusing on enhancing our understanding of trout mortality, recruitment, and overall health.
Here are the current fishing regulations for the three rivers:
Big Hole River
- Entire river
- Catch and release for Arctic grayling
- Headwaters to Dickie Bridge
- Combined trout: five daily and in possession, no size restriction
- Dickie Bridge to the mouth
- Open April 1 through Sept. 30
- Catch and release only
- Artificial lures and single-pointed hooks only. No treble or double hooks. Anglers may remove treble or double hooks from the lure and replace them with a single hook, or the shanks may be cut off the other hook points to leave a single hook. Lures with multiple hook attachments may still be used but any treble hook must be replaced by a single hook.
Beaverhead River
- Entire river
- Catch and release for rainbow trout
- Brown trout: five fish daily and in possession, all fish must be less than 18 inches, except for Clark Canyon Dam to High Bridge Fishing Access Site (see special regulations below)
- Artificial lures and single-pointed hooks only. No treble or double hooks. Anglers may remove treble or double hooks from the lure and replace them with a single hook, or the shanks may be cut off the other hook points to leave a single hook. Lures with multiple hook attachments may still be used but any treble hook must be replaced by a single hook.
- Clark Canyon Dam to Pipe Organ Bridge
- Open third Saturday in May through Sept. 30
- Clark Canyon Dam to High Bridge FAS
- Catch and release for trout
- High Bridge FAS to Henneberry FAS
- Closed to float fishing by nonresidents and float outfitting on each Saturday from the third Saturday in May through Labor Day
- Henneberry FAS to Pipe Organ Bridge
- Closed to float fishing by nonresidents and float outfitting on each Sunday from the third Sunday in May through Labor Day
- Barretts Diversion to the mouth
- Open April 1 through Sept. 30
- Catch and release for trout
- Highway 91 South Bridge (Tash Bridge) to Selway Bridge
- Closed to float outfitting from the third Saturday in May through Labor Day
Ruby River
- Upstream from Ruby Reservoir
- Combined trout: all may be cutthroat trout
- Downstream from Ruby Dam
- Catch and release for rainbow trout.
- Angling is closed the entire year just below Ruby Dam, from its confluence with Ruby Dam outlet channel upstream to the dam, including the outlet channel.
- From Ruby Dam to Alder Bridge (Ruby Island FAS)
- Catch and release for brown trout
- Open April 1 through Sept. 30
- From Alder Bridge (Ruby Island FAS) to the mouth
- Brown trout: one daily and in possession, must be less than 18 inches
For more information, visit fwp.mt.gov/fish
