Anglers: adjust fishing practices for heat, drought

The Wyoming Game and Fish report due to high temperatures and drought conditions across Wyoming, the state’s streams and rivers are flowing with less water and at a warmer temperature. The Game and Fish Department is asking anglers to adjust fishing practices during the Cowboy State’s hottest stretch of summer. Warmer water temperatures can affect fish survival, especially Wyoming’s trout.

“It’s that time of year when the temperatures are high and water flows are low. Together, that can cause water temperatures to get high enough to be lethal to trout,” Fish Division Chief Alan Osterland. “Warm water also holds less oxygen which can stress not only trout, but also all fish.” 

The Game and Fish wish to make people aware that trout die after prolonged exposure to water temperatures greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit, and brief exposure to temperatures over 80 degrees are lethal. Fish stress quicker in low-oxygen warm water, which greatly hampers a fish’s ability to recover from the rigors of being caught. However, as water temperature approaches 70 degrees the chance for any fish species to survive being caught and released is reduced.  

Anglers who adjust their practices can help more fish survive the heat.

“As water temperatures increase, anglers should monitor water temps while fishing. When water temperature hits 70 degrees, we recommend that anglers should stop catching and releasing fish,” Osterland said. “Practice self-restraint to help fish survive.”

The Game and Fish asks all anglers practicing catch and release to consider the following:

• Fish early in the morning while the water temperature is cooler.
• Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor the water temperature.
• If the water temperature is at or above 65 degrees, consider keeping what you catch within the regulations. If the temperature is 70 degrees or higher, do not attempt to catch and release fish.
• As water temperature increases, using the proper techniques to catch and release a fish become increasingly more important to help ensure the fish has a chance to survive:
• Play and land fish as rapidly as possible to reduce exhaustion stress.  
• Keep the fish in the water as much as possible.
• Do not squeeze the fish or place fingers in the gills.
• Remove the hook gently. If hooked deeply, cut the leader.
• Flies and lures are recommended whenever many fish are being caught and released.
• Barbless hooks allow easier hook removal.
• If a fish is exhausted and cannot hold itself upright, and if regulations allow, consider having it for supper because the fish has a poor chance of surviving.

Game and Fish wish to make the public aware that these are not new regulations, just recommendations to assist with the conservation of the fishery resource Osterland said. If water temperatures are too high, consider escaping the heat with a trip to another top-notch high country fishery where it’s cooler.