Temporary restrictions on striped bass fishing in Chesapeake Bay are ongoing until July 31, as the Maryland DNR has restricted angling for the sixth summer in a row.
In the West, many of the most productive “blue ribbon” trout rivers in Montana, Wyoming and Yellowstone Park also are partially closed to fishing this summer. Known as “hoot owl” restrictions, trout fishing is off limits from early afternoon through the night until sunrise the following day on many rivers. Early morning fishing on most waters is allowed, when water temperature is cooler and trout caught and released are most likely to survive.
Hot water stresses cold water species such as trout and Chesapeake stripers, which is the purpose of restricting anglers from catching them.
On the Chesapeake and its tributaries, Maryland anglers are asked to release all stripers in July. Moreover, on some of the hottest days, the state requests no fishing for linesiders after 10 a.m. Bay anglers are encouraged to handle fish with extreme care so their survival is ensured with a speedy release.
Maryland striper fishing opens again to limited harvest beginning August 1, when one fish per person, per day measuring 19 to 24 inches in length may be taken.
Chesapeake stripers have problems with recruitment resulting from other sources, such as low water flow impacting spawning. But restricting angler harvest of stripers is vital to the resurgence of bay linesiders, say scientists. A 2022 Chesapeake Bay study showed that stripers caught and released during the hot weather of July accounted for over 20 percent of striper deaths resulting from fishing.
In the West, famed Montana rivers are again closed this summer under the “hoot owl” advisory format. Among the celebrated rivers closed to partial fishing include the: Madison, Big Hole, Jefferson, Beaverhead, Gallatin, Ruby, Bitterroot and Smith. Other rivers also are under restrictions and include many of the tributaries feeding the famed rivers noted.
Yellowstone National Park’s prime trout rivers also are included in the timed closures, including the Madison, Firehole and Gibbon rivers. Yellowstone Lake and other park lakes are open to usual dawn to dusk angling.
Anglers are advised to regularly monitor state and park regulations, which are subject to changes that may affect important gamefish species.
