WY Game and Fish Urges Anglers to Fish Early as Rising Water Temperatures Stress Wyoming Trout

Persistent warm temperatures and below-average precipitation this summer are causing water temperatures to rise in streams across Wyoming, prompting the Wyoming Game and Fish Department to remind anglers to take extra precautions when fishing for trout and other cold-water species.

As summer progresses and streamflows decline, warmer water creates increasingly stressful conditions for fish. Trout rely on cold, oxygen-rich water, but warm water holds less dissolved oxygen, making it more difficult for fish to recover after being caught and released.

According to Game and Fish, the mortality rate for catch-and-release trout increases significantly when water temperatures exceed 70 degrees Fahrenheit. In the Jackson Region, late-afternoon water temperatures on the Snake River and several tributaries have already approached 68 degrees, with conditions expected to worsen as the summer continues.

While the advisory was issued for northwest Wyoming, the same principles apply anywhere warm weather and low water combine to create stressful conditions for cold-water fisheries.

Game and Fish Recommends Fishing Early

To reduce stress on fish, Game and Fish recommends anglers limit trout fishing to the morning hours before water temperatures reach their daily peak in the late afternoon.

Anglers are also encouraged to monitor stream conditions before heading out. Real-time streamflow and water temperature information is available through the U.S. Geological Survey’s Snake River Basin Streamflow and Water Temperature Explorer, and Game and Fish suggests carrying a hand-held thermometer to periodically check water temperatures while fishing.

Proper Fish Handling Matters

Even when fishing during cooler parts of the day, how fish are handled can make a significant difference in their chances of survival after release.

Game and Fish recommends:

• Landing fish as quickly as possible to minimize exhaustion.
• Keeping fish in the water while removing hooks and handling them.
• Avoiding squeezing fish or placing fingers in their gills.
• Removing hooks gently to reduce injury.

The department also advises anglers to keep fish that cannot maintain their balance after being caught if regulations allow. Fish that are severely exhausted are unlikely to survive after release, and existing harvest regulations are designed to accommodate a limited amount of angling mortality.

Closures Remain an Option

Game and Fish fisheries staff will continue monitoring water temperatures throughout the summer to determine whether additional protective measures become necessary.

“While the department relies on anglers to voluntarily limit fishing during extreme heat, a formal voluntary closure or an emergency closure may be implemented if necessary to protect the resource,” said Darren Rhea, fisheries supervisor for the Game and Fish Jackson Region.

If closures become necessary, the department said the public will be notified, and signs will be posted at fishing access locations.

A Shared Responsibility

Summer fishing remains one of Wyoming’s most popular outdoor activities, but changing conditions require anglers to adapt. Fishing during cooler morning hours, monitoring water temperatures, and practicing careful fish handling can help reduce stress on trout during periods of extreme heat.

For additional information, anglers can contact the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Jackson Regional Office at 307-733-2321.