Colorado Parks and Wildlife lifts voluntary closure on Yampa River near Steamboat Springs

Rachael Gonzales
Northwest Region Public Information Officer
970-773-8587 / [email protected]
Twitter: @CPW_NW
Colorado Parks and Wildlife lifts voluntary closure on Yampa River near Steamboat Springs

Sept. 4, 2025

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Recent weather patterns, combined with cooler overnight temperatures, have led to improved conditions on the Yampa River, prompting Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to lift the full-day voluntary fishing closure from the Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area to the western edge of Steamboat Springs' city limits.

The closure was initially put in place on July 16, to protect fish and minimize fish mortality due to warm water temperatures and low flow conditions. 

While CPW is lifting the voluntary closure on the Yampa River,  additional voluntary closures on the White River in Rio Blanco County and the Crystal River near Carbondale remain in place until further notice. 

Full-day voluntary fishing closure on the Crystal River

On Aug. 15, CPW implemented a voluntary full-day fishing closure between mile marker 64 on Highway 133 and the confluence of the Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers due to extreme low flow conditions. 

These voluntary fishing closures are expected to remain in place through October.

Partial-day voluntary fishing closures on the White River

On Aug. 15, CPW implemented voluntary fishing closures from 2 p.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the following sections of the White River.

• The North Fork White River from the White River National Forest boundary downstream to the confluence with the South Fork White River.

• The South Fork White River from the White River National Forest boundary downstream to the confluence with the North Fork White River.

• The White River from the confluence of the North Fork White River and the South Fork White River downstream to County Road 5.

These voluntary fishing closures will remain in place based on water quality concerns associated with the Lee and Elk fires. 

At this time, CPW aquatic biologists have only observed fish mortality along the northwest edge of the Lee Fire burn area in the White River. While the full impact of the Lee and Elk fires on the river's fishery has yet to be fully assessed, some fish loss is expected in the aftermath of the fires. 

Wildfires can affect fisheries during the fire itself, but the most significant impacts, including fish mortality, typically occur afterward when rain falls on the ash-covered areas. This rain can wash ash, sediment and debris into the stream, leading to water quality problems that can cause fish deaths. Additionally, these events can result in the loss or degradation of aquatic habitats when sediment and debris smother crucial habitats.

CPW will continue to monitor conditions on the White River. Long-term data collected in these areas will help in determining the potential impacts of the fire by comparing pre-fire data with post-fire data. 

CPW asks the public to comply with these voluntary fishing closures for the long term benefit of the fishery.  

Anglers are encouraged to visit CPW’s website or call local CPW offices to learn about destination water conditions before traveling.