YELLOWSTONE — The fishing closure on rivers and streams in Yellowstone National Park has been lifted as of today, Aug. 20, the park announced.
On July 24, the park implemented a fishing closure after 2 p.m. on all rivers and streams within the park in response to high water temperatures and low stream flows. According to the park, conditions at the time were stressful and even fatal for trout.
Park scientists have monitored flow and temperature data since the closure. Temperatures of Yellowstone’s rivers and streams have cooled, and flows have improved. Water temperatures are now well below thermal thresholds for trout and flows are returning to long-term averages.
The park is still reminding anglers to not play hooked trout to exhaustion.
“Gently handle and release them quickly after they have revived. Your cooperation will protect the park fisheries and may preclude the need to prohibit fishing again this season should conditions worsen in rivers and creeks,” the park stated in the announcement.
