Floating and fishing on the extremely popular upper Bitterroot River would be restricted by new rules being considered by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks.

The proposed rules came from recommendations made by a citizen advisory committee. Rules would also restrict use on the river from the East and West Fork confluence to Wally Crawford Access Site.

The rules and an Environmental Assessment, up for public comment until October 13, would restrict commercial floats to two per per outfitter per day in a designated river section. There would also be a non-commercial day for each section. No floating - commercial or private - would be allowed on Fridays from Painted Rocks Dam to the Applebury Forest Service Access Site.

Montana FWP will have public hearings on the rules:

  • October 2 at FWP Region 2 headquarters on Spurgin Road in Missoula.
  • October 3 at the Bitterroot National Forest Supervisor's Office on North lst in Hamilton.
  • October 10 at FWP Butte Area Resource Office, 1820 Meadowlark Lane, in Butte.

    More information is on the Montana FWP website.

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