outdoors

Low water flow, high temperatures and dry conditions continue to affect fisheries across Northwest Colorado this summer. 

Fishing Closures in Colorado

Due to high water temperatures and low flows, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is implementing voluntary fishing closures on several stretches of rivers in Colorado. The fishing closure are effective immediately, until further notice.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is calling on hunters, anglers, outdoor enthusiasts and anyone who wants a voice in wildlife management to attend a Southeast Region Sportsmen's Caucus, scheduled at 6:00 p.m. July 31, in Canon City.

Water levels have dropped at Crawford State Park and the boat ramp at the reservoir will close at the end of the day Sunday, July 22.

The reservoir is down 46 feet from full capacity. People can still put in hand-launched craft such as canoes, paddleboards and kayaks. However, boats with motors are no longer allowed this season.

Conditions Report - Statewide

Rivers and Creeks

Due to high water temperatures and low flows, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is implementing voluntary fishing closures between 2:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. on sections of the Eagle River, Colorado River, Crystal River, and Roaring Fork River in Northwest Colorado. The fishing closure is effective immediately, until further notice.

Although anglers are not legally prohibited from fishing in these stretches, CPW is asking anglers to fish early in the day and find alternative places to fish until conditions improve.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is lifting the mandatory fishing closure on the sixth-tenth mile section of the Yampa River below the dam at Stagecoach State Park, effective immediately.

Due to minimal snowpack this past winter resulting in low stream flow during the hottest time of the year, the agency implemented the closure on June 14 to protect the popular fishery.

Since then, CPW has been continuously monitoring conditions on this stretch of river.

John Merson spent nearly four decades patrolling Colorado lakes as a park ranger, saving lives, teaching boating safety to fellow rangers and park visitors alike and, most important, making the waters safe for boaters, anglers and all visitors.

Even after he retired from Colorado Parks and Wildlife in 2010, Merson kept up the watch, returning each summer to Lake Pueblo State Park to work as a seasonal boat ranger. 

Customers who need to cancel their campground reservations at a Colorado state park can now do so online at cpwshop.com or at 1-800-244-5613 at any time prior to or during their stay. The new policy allows greater flexibility for customers and helps CPW staff more easily track campground cancellations in real-time.