07-18-2007, 10:10 PM
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) is asking for anglers to abide to a voluntary fishing closure on the Yampa River through the town of Steamboat Springs. The voluntary closure has been initiated in order to protect trout populations from high water temperature conditions and low stream flows.
The closure is in effect for the section of river between the upstream boundary of the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the west city limit boundary for the town of Steamboat Springs. The DOW will continue to monitor the river conditions and will inform the public as soon as conditions return to the point where a lifting of the closure is warranted.
"Anglers and guides have always been very cooperative in supporting these voluntary closures," said Sherman Hebein, senior fish biologist for the DOW. "They have the foresight to understand that these closures are in the best interest of keeping this a world class fishery for years to come. In fact, many anglers, along with the town of Steamboat Springs came to us to express their concern."
The Yampa River is currently at one fifth its normal flow for this time of year and water temperatures are exceeding 70 degrees. These conditions lower dissolved oxygen levels and stress trout. Additional stress from angling pressure makes fish populations even more vulnerable to disease and death. To this point, no trout die offs have been reported to the DOW.
"Currently, conditions are not as bad as we saw in 2002," said Hebein. "We believe that the conditions do warrant a voluntary closure in order to be proactive and minimize impacts. We appreciate angler cooperation and encourage them to seek out alternative fishing opportunities in the area until conditions improve. We will rescind the voluntary closure as soon as possible when conditions improve."
For further information on the voluntary fishing closure please contact the DOW's Steamboat Springs Service Center at: (970) 871-2855.
As summer temperatures increase throughout the state there is the potential for other trout fisheries to experience similar conditions. In order for all anglers to minimize their impacts on trout populations and prevent mortality, the DOW encourages all catch-and-release anglers to practice the following precautions:
- Do not play the fish to exhaustion. Use as large a tipit as possible in order to land the fish quickly.
- Keep the fish in the water as much as possible when handling and removing the hook.
- Remove the hook gently and do not squeeze fish or put your fingers in the gills.
- If the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line. Do not attempt to remove the hook.
- Release the fish only after its equilibrium has recovered.
- Release the fish into the most oxygenated water possible.
The DOW is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The DOW is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.
The closure is in effect for the section of river between the upstream boundary of the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the west city limit boundary for the town of Steamboat Springs. The DOW will continue to monitor the river conditions and will inform the public as soon as conditions return to the point where a lifting of the closure is warranted.
"Anglers and guides have always been very cooperative in supporting these voluntary closures," said Sherman Hebein, senior fish biologist for the DOW. "They have the foresight to understand that these closures are in the best interest of keeping this a world class fishery for years to come. In fact, many anglers, along with the town of Steamboat Springs came to us to express their concern."
The Yampa River is currently at one fifth its normal flow for this time of year and water temperatures are exceeding 70 degrees. These conditions lower dissolved oxygen levels and stress trout. Additional stress from angling pressure makes fish populations even more vulnerable to disease and death. To this point, no trout die offs have been reported to the DOW.
"Currently, conditions are not as bad as we saw in 2002," said Hebein. "We believe that the conditions do warrant a voluntary closure in order to be proactive and minimize impacts. We appreciate angler cooperation and encourage them to seek out alternative fishing opportunities in the area until conditions improve. We will rescind the voluntary closure as soon as possible when conditions improve."
For further information on the voluntary fishing closure please contact the DOW's Steamboat Springs Service Center at: (970) 871-2855.
As summer temperatures increase throughout the state there is the potential for other trout fisheries to experience similar conditions. In order for all anglers to minimize their impacts on trout populations and prevent mortality, the DOW encourages all catch-and-release anglers to practice the following precautions:
- Do not play the fish to exhaustion. Use as large a tipit as possible in order to land the fish quickly.
- Keep the fish in the water as much as possible when handling and removing the hook.
- Remove the hook gently and do not squeeze fish or put your fingers in the gills.
- If the fish is hooked deeply, cut the line. Do not attempt to remove the hook.
- Release the fish only after its equilibrium has recovered.
- Release the fish into the most oxygenated water possible.
The DOW is the state agency responsible for managing wildlife and its habitat, as well as providing wildlife related recreation. The DOW is funded through hunting and fishing license fees, federal grants and Colorado Lottery proceeds through Great Outdoors Colorado.