12.5.508    REOPENING WATERS

(1) Except on waters with a drought management plan, an angling restriction or fishing closure will remain in effect until reopening criteria described in (2), (3), or (4) have been met.

(2) The department may reopen streams managed for nonnative salmonids when the department determines in its discretion that daily maximum water temperature does not exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days.

(3) The department may reopen streams managed for cutthroat trout when the department determines that daily maximum water temperature does not exceed 66 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days.

(4) Streams designated by the department to have bull trout shall remain closed until the following conditions occur:

(a) daily maximum water temperature equals or does not exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit for three consecutive days; and

(b) when flow regimes provide adequate security habitat.

(5) Reopening waters may be delayed by the department if:

(a)  reopening criteria is forecast to be met for a short duration;

(b) conditions on priority waters defined by the department in the Statewide Fisheries Management Plan do not provide adequate security habitat; or

(c) angling pressure due to restrictions and closures on other waterbodies has the potential to contribute to excessive fish mortality.

 

History: 87-1-301, MCA; IMP, 87-1-301, MCA; NEW, 2008 MAR p. 1310, Eff. 6/27/08; AMD, 2022 MAR p. 1798, Eff. 9/24/22.