Things are getting a little hot over on the Thompson River.
Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks has established a fishing closure on the entire Thompson River between 2 p.m. and midnight.
The closure takes effect at 12:01 a.m. July 10. The closure is necessary to protect trout in the river from the stress of being caught and handled during periods of high water temperatures, according to FWP. The closure was approved by FWP Commissioner Vic Workman and FWP in Helena, and will remain in place until conditions improve.
FWP fisheries biologist Jon Hanson in Thompson Falls said water flow in the Thompson River is only about half of normal for this time of year, and water temperatures have been exceeding 73 degrees in the river above Fishtrap Creek. The weather forecast calls for continued hot weather.
This angling closure is the earliest on record for the Thompson River. Angling closures were implemented on the Thompson River in 2001 and 2003, but they were not in place until late July.
On the web: fwp.state.mt.gov