As the heat of summer continues, so will the expansion of full and half-day fishing closures for Colorado’s trout streams and rivers as stream temps continue to rise. On July 20th, CPW expanded its list of closures to new stretches of the Colorado, Yampa, and Eagle rivers. Learn more in the CPW press release below.
From Colorado CPW:
“Several days of above-average air temperatures and river temperatures quickly approaching and in some cases exceeding 71°F have prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife to extend and implement new voluntary fishing closures on the Colorado, Eagle, and Yampa Rivers.
Beginning Wednesday, July 20, CPW is implementing the following voluntary fishing closures in effect until further notice.
- Full-day voluntary fishing closure on the Colorado River from Bair Ranch in Glenwood Canyon downstream to the Hwy.13 bridge in Rifle. The full-day fishing closure now applies to the entire stretch of the Colorado River from State Bridge downstream to Rifle.
- Full-day voluntary fishing closure on the Eagle River from the Hwy.131 bridge at Wolcott downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River. This extends the current closure from Eagle upstream to Wolcott, and replaces the partial day closure with a full day.
- Full-day voluntary fishing closure on the Yampa River from the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the western edge of Steamboat Springs town limits. This is a new closure.
Water temperatures and river flows can fluctuate over the summer, creating dangerous conditions for trout and other fish. When water temperatures reach 70°F or above it becomes difficult for fish to survive, even when practicing catch and release. Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Biologists remind anglers to look fast before you cast this summer and check out conditions related to mandatory and voluntary fishing closures on our website.
‘Closures are a necessary measure to ensure the longevity of fisheries during times of stress on the fish,†said Northwest Regional Manager Travis Black. “The Northwest Region is home to several Gold Medal trout fisheries. Low flows and high temps put the fish at risk, so we are asking everyone to help conserve these valuable resources for today and future generations.'”
The full list of Colorado river closures can be found here.
Current Colorado Fishing Closures
Colorado River
- From the confluence with the Fraser River near Granby downstream to the confluence with the Williams Fork River at Parshall
- From the Hwy. 9 bridge crossing at Kremmling downstream to State Bridge
- From State Bridge downstream to Bair Ranch in Glenwood Canyon
- From State Bridge downstream to the Hwy.13 bridge in Rifle
Eagle River
- From the Eagle County Fairgrounds at Eagle downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River at Dotsero
- From the Hwy.131 bridge at Wolcott downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River at Dotsero
Fraser River
- From the County Rd. 8 bridge crossing at Fraser downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River near Granby
Yampa River
- 0.6 mile downstream of Stagecoach Reservoir dam within the boundary of Stagecoach Reservoir State Park
- From the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area downstream to the western edge of Steamboat city limits
You can keep up with Colorado’s mandatory and voluntary fishing closures, here.
