Bring a thermometer and keep them wet!

As we've been seeing, we are experiencing a record-low water year. Low water flows mean we are reaching high water temperatures earlier in the day and earlier in the season. The bottom line: stop fishing when the water reaches 68°F or higher.

What does this mean?

As anglers, it is our job to protect our fisheries and stay informed about how we can do that. Once the water reaches 68°F and above, we need to stop fishing. Water temperatures this high place significant stress on fish, hooking and fighting them can be fatal.

Imagine you just ran a marathon and were immediately placed on Mount Everest. You wouldn't be able to catch your breath and would have a very difficult time recovering. That's exactly what fish experience when being caught in these warm water temperatures.

As water temperature rises, it can dissolve less oxygen. Trout have relatively high oxygen demands, so warmer water makes it harder for them to get enough oxygen to support swimming, feeding, and growth.

When water temperatures are between 56°F and 67°F, try to avoid long fights with fish. Increase your tippet size to land fish more quickly, and get them into the net and released back into the water as soon as possible. Avoid taking photos at these temperatures so the fish can be returned to the water as quickly as possible.

Fishing Strategies

Start early. Overnight temperatures are still dropping, which helps cool the water before the day begins. If you are going to fish rivers with warming water temps, get on and off early. This is a great year to do some exploring. High alpine lakes and creeks can be very productive and allow you to fish throughout the day. Targeting warm water species like bass or carp is a great opportunity to fish but for a different species! Lakes and tailwaters are also excellent options for finding colder water. Fishing cooler water will increase your success because fish are healthier, more active, and feeding more aggressively at lower temperatures. 

Rivers to Avoid

• Eagle River below Wolcott
• Middle/Lower Roaring Fork River
• Lower Colorado River (Catamount downstream)
• Arkansas River near Salida