![Fishing the Jefferson River Fishing the Jefferson River](/sites/default/files/uploads/2023-06/jefferson_river_900x600_ben_4453.jpg)
The Jefferson River is on Hoot Owl Restrictions so please be aware of where and when you can fish. And if you do fish please fight fish quickly, keep them in the water when handling them, and release them quickly as well. If you do plan to fish the Jefferson River right now, it is hard to fish right now with lots of algae in the water gumming up flies on almost every cast. Even dry flies are picking up lots of junk. The fish are eating but it is just too hard to fish with the algae drift. This will improve in August when nights become shorter.
Hoot owl restrictions (2:00 p.m. to midnight) are in effect for the Jeffersion River from the confluence of the Big Hole and Beaverhead rivers to the Missouri River beginning July 10
Temperatures were measured at the USGS gage (06026500) near Twin Bridges.
Water temperatures exceeded 73 degrees in this reach of the Jefferson River for three consecutive days starting on July 7.
The Jefferson River Drought Management Plan states that FWP can implement hoot owl restrictions when water temperatures exceed 73 for three consecutive days at the USGS gage in Twin Bridges. Temperatures likely continue to exceed 73 degrees for the foreseeable future with forecasted air temperatures in the 90s for the foreseeable future with several days approaching 100 this week.
The Month Ahead:
The Jeff isn’t the best summer option due to algae drifts and also warmer temps. Once the algae stabilizes and starts dying off later in the summer mornings can be good. It isn’t a high trout count fishery but is a nice place to see fewer boats.
Long Term Fishing Forecast:
The Jefferson will improve when September hits and water temps drop into ideal flows. The Jefferson always has low flows in mid summer from irrigation which causes warmer water temps since it is a lower elevation river. It is more of a spring and fall location.