Big Hole Section 5 reopens as FWP lifts angling closure
FWP lifted the angling closure on Section 5 of the Big Hole River, which runs from Tony Schoonen Fishing Access Site (Notch) to the Beaverhead River confluence, after weekend rain improved flows, according to MT FWP Fishing News. Section 1 stays closed, so check the section boundaries before you go. The same release says spawning closures on some rivers begin October 1. Montana waters remain invasive mussel free, but six of seventeen AIS inspection stations are still running through October in high-risk corridors, and anglers with watercraft must stop at every station they pass.
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What's next
Access on the Big Hole is the thing to watch. FWP tied Section 5's reopening to flow, so a dry stretch that pulls flows back down could bring closure notices again, and Section 1's status will show how the river is trending. Spawning closures starting October 1 will restrict more water over the coming weeks, so confirm the current rules for each river rather than relying on last year's map.
Longer term, Region 1 Commissioner Ian Wargo has proposed four amendments to the 2027-2028 Fishing Regulations, which are on the agenda. Those rules would apply to the 2027-2028 season, not this one, but they are worth reading if you fish Region 1 water regularly. FWP is also moving to remove illegally introduced bass from Sacajawea Lagoon in Livingston, and the public meeting on that project was scheduled for October 1.
Context
Early October is typically the turn from summer into fall on Montana's rivers. Spawning closures and flow-driven access changes are normal at this point in the calendar, so the notices FWP is issuing read as routine seasonal management. Rain shows up in these notices quickly, since a flow change can open or close a section within days. Check state regs before harvesting, and confirm closure boundaries for any section you plan to fish.
Synthesized from real-time NOAA buoy data, USGS stream gauges, and current reports across regional fishing blogs, captain updates, and angler forums. Check local regulations before keeping fish. Never trust a single source for a trip decision.
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