Heatwave Forces Fishing Closures on Colorado River System and Yellowstone Rivers

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has imposed voluntary, full‑day fishing closures on the Colorado, Eagle, Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers on the Western Slope because drought‑driven low flows and water temperatures above 71 °F are stressing trout populations. The agency says flows are often below 50 % of normal and temperatures have peaked at 77 °F, prompting restrictions that will remain in place until conditions improve.

In Yellowstone National Park, the National Park Service has issued emergency, full‑time bans on the Firehole, Madison and Gibbon rivers after water temperatures reached 86 °F and dead trout were reported. The closures are intended to protect the park’s native trout fisheries and will stay in effect while heatwave conditions persist.