Colorado Parks and Wildlife has enacted voluntary afternoon fishing closures on the Animas River through Durango, the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs, and the Dolores River below McPhee Dam, effective Monday, July 13, 2026, citing dangerously low flows and rising water temperatures.

The closures run daily from noon to midnight and will remain in place until CPW determines conditions have improved. Signage has been posted along all three rivers.

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Water temperatures are approaching 71 degrees on the Animas and have surpassed 75 degrees on the Dolores and San Juan rivers. The Animas is flowing at 200 cfs, just 20 percent of its average. The San Juan is at 30 cfs, or 7 percent of median flows. McPhee Reservoir is releasing only 5 cfs into the Dolores River.

"Voluntary fishing closures help protect the fish during periods of elevated stress associated with reduced oxygen levels experienced during warmer summer months," said CPW aquatic biologist Kade Jackson. "When water temperatures are elevated, there is a decrease in oxygen making it more difficult for trout to recover after being caught, therefore increasing the likelihood of angling mortality."

"I liken it to how nobody wants to be exercising outdoors when it's over 100 degrees outside," said CPW Southwest Region Senior Aquatic Biologist Jim White. "That's kind of the same thing we're imposing on these fish when folks are fishing when the water temperatures are that hot. When you're fighting a fish, it could be comparable to going out for an intensive jog or sprint even. Alleviating that stress on the fish population is good practice."

Nighttime and early morning water temperatures are trending upward, suggesting reduced thermal refuge and recovery periods for trout. The San Juan River through Pagosa Springs carries the additional stress of recreational river tubing on top of high temperatures and low flows.

Access to the Dolores River below McPhee Dam, including the Lone Dome State Wildlife Area, is currently closed for the safety of the public and firefighting crews working on the Ferris Fire.

Jackson said many anglers in southwest Colorado have already begun self-imposing the closures.

"We certainly have an educated angling community," Jackson said. "Most people are willing to refrain from angling in the hot afternoons. It's a matter of educating other members of the community and our out-of-town visitors to help these fisheries out."

CPW may enact mandatory fishing closures if any of the following criteria are met: daily maximum water temperature exceeds 71 degrees; streamflow drops to 50 percent or less of the daily average; fish condition deteriorates with visible signs of fungus or stress; or daily minimum dissolved oxygen levels fall below 6 parts per million.

CPW recommends anglers fish early in the day, use a handheld thermometer to monitor water temperature, and move to cooler high-elevation waters once temperatures approach 71 degrees. To reduce fish stress, anglers should use heavier tippet and line to land fish quickly, wet hands before handling fish, keep fish submerged while unhooking and releasing them, avoid removing fish from the water for photographs, and have an alternative fishing location planned.

Jackson encouraged anglers to seek out high-elevation trout lakes or warm-water fisheries in the region where water temperatures are more suitable. CPW aquatic biologists will regularly monitor temperatures in the coming weeks and will notify the public when conditions improve and the closure is lifted.