Colorado Parks and Wildlife will lift the voluntary fishing closure on the Roaring Fork River Aug. 20 after increased flows from Ruedi Reservoir helped cool water temperatures. Closures remain on the Colorado, Eagle and Crystal rivers.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife will lift the voluntary afternoon fishing closure on the Roaring Fork River beginning Thursday, Aug. 20, after increased flows from Ruedi Reservoir helped cool water temperatures and improve conditions for fish.
The agency originally implemented the closure July 17 as extremely low river flows and high water temperatures raised concerns about stress and mortality among trout and other fish.
Recent releases from Ruedi Reservoir have increased flows in the Roaring Fork, bringing water temperatures down enough for CPW to end the temporary restriction.
“We want to thank anglers for their support and finding alternative locations to fish during the voluntary closure,” CPW Area Aquatic Biologist Kendall Bakich said. “This support is crucial for protecting and conserving fish populations for future generations.”
Conditions have not improved enough everywhere for CPW to remove similar protections.
Voluntary fishing closures remain in effect on portions of the Colorado, Eagle and Crystal rivers until further notice because extremely low flows and elevated water temperatures continue to create stressful conditions for fish.
CPW is asking anglers to continue observing those closures. Voluntary restrictions are intended to reduce additional stress on fish during periods of warm water and low flows and can help avoid the need for mandatory closures.
Warm water can be particularly difficult for cold-water species such as trout. Fish caught and released under stressful conditions can have a harder time recovering, increasing the risk of mortality.
Conditions can change quickly during periods of drought, heat and changing reservoir releases. Anglers are encouraged to check current river conditions and fishing restrictions before traveling.
CPW maintains a statewide list of current restrictions on its 2026 Weather and Drought Closures page.
For anglers on the Roaring Fork, however, the improving conditions mean the voluntary afternoon closure that has been in place for more than a month will end Thursday.
