G&F Speak on Local Voluntary Fishing Closures 

Wyoming Game and Fish Department officials are asking anglers to voluntarily avoid fishing at Muddy Guard No. 1 and North Sayles ponds on the Bud Love Wildlife Habitat Management Area near Buffalo due to high water temperatures.

Wyoming Game and Fish Department Public Information Specialist Christina Schmidt said as water temperatures approach 70 degrees, trout can become stressed by warmer water and lower oxygen levels. Once temperatures reach approximately 75 degrees, most trout have difficulty recovering after being caught and released.

Water temperatures at the lowest North Sayles Reservoir and Muddy Guard No. 1 reached 78 degrees when Game and Fish issued the voluntary closure recommendation. Officials expect temperatures to begin declining, meaning the recommendation could change in the coming days.

C. Schmidt 

Schmidt recommends anglers land fish as quickly as possible and, whenever possible, keep them in the water while removing hooks. 

Anglers can find current voluntary closures, advisories and recommendations on the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Fishing in the Heat webpage.