Colorado Parks & Wildlife Voluntary Fishing Closures on the Colorado and Eagle Rivers

Colorado Parks and Wildlife has put both the Eagle and Colorado Rivers under a voluntary fishing closure due to high water temperatures. The lower Eagle (Wolcott to Colorado River confluence) has been reaching temperatures up to 70 degrees in the afternoon and the Colorado River (State Bridge to Bair Ranch) reaching temperatures up to 72 degrees in the late morning.

As trout are a cold-water species, they thrive in a water temperature range of 45 to 66 degrees. Once the temperature reaches above 68 degrees, the amount of dissolved oxygen significantly decreases in the water which stresses out the fish. Catching a trout in these water conditions can stress out the fish to the point of the fish likely not surviving when being caught.

Though the Colorado and Eagle are in closures currently, the Roaring Fork River, located near Glenwood Springs, is still open for fishing all day! The Roaring Fork is a Gold Medal River that is steep and fast paced in which hosts some of the best trout fishing that Colorado has to offer.

The Upper Eagle and Gore Creek in Vail are open for wade Trips! Gore Creek runs right through the heart of Vail and is also a Gold Medal Fishery. The upper Eagle is currently fishing very well! As this section is the head waters of the Eagle River with water temperatures are staying low.