New fishing closures announced as heat and drought continue

 Editor's note: Here's the latest information on closures from Senior Colorado Parks and Wildlife Senior Aquatic Biologist Kyle Battige. And here's a useful link to a CPW spreadsheet with all Colorado fishing closures: 

DENVER — Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Northeast Region is enacting a series of voluntary fishing closures due to low flows and high water temperatures. The closures will be in effect from noon to midnight in order to reduce stress on fish populations during the hottest parts of the day. 

List of voluntary fishing closure locations, effective immediately:

• South Platte River (Dream Stream) - closed from Eleven Mile Reservoir inlet upstream to Spinney Mountain Dam. Current flows are 94 cfs (cubic feet per second), compared to historical average flows of 190 cfs. Water temperatures are reaching daily maximums over 73 degrees Fahrenheit. 

• South Platte River - closed from Spinney Mountain Reservoir inlet upstream to the confluence of the Middle and South Forks. Current flows are less than 10 cfs, compared to historical average flows of 170 cfs.

• Middle Fork South Platte River - closed from confluence with the South Fork upstream to Highway 285. Current flows are less than 10 cfs, compared to historical average flows of 110 cfs.

• South Fork South Platte River - closed from confluence with the Middle Fork upstream to Highway 285. Current flows are less than 10 cfs, and historical average flows are around 40 cfs.   

• Clear Creek - closed from Vanover Park in Golden upstream to Tunnel 1 Trailhead. Current flows are around 80 cfs, compared to historical average flows of 240 cfs. Water temperatures are reaching daily maximums over 73 degrees Fahrenheit.

“We are asking anglers to keep fish populations healthy by voluntarily restricting their fishing activity during afternoon hours when water temperatures increase and fish health may be impacted,” said CPW Senior Aquatic Biologist Kyle Battige. “CPW will continue to monitor conditions along with voluntary closure compliance to assess whether more restrictive closures are warranted.”