JACKSON — Persistent warm temperatures and below-average moisture this summer have led to rising water temperatures in many local streams, as observed by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department and fisheries management staff at Grand Teton National Park. The agencies would like to remind anglers of best practices for fishing in the heat.

As summer progresses and water levels decline, rising temperatures threaten trout and other cold-water species. Higher water temperatures lead to lower oxygen levels, which can reduce fish survival by hindering their ability to recover from stressors like being caught. When water temperatures exceed 70 degrees, the chance of survival for any trout to be caught and released is greatly reduced. Recent temperature readings on the Snake River have approached 68 degrees in the late afternoon and are expected to continue to rise as the dry and hot conditions persist. 

It is recommended that anglers in the region who practice catch-and-release fishing land fish quickly to minimize exhaustion and stress. Other best practices include keeping fish in the water as much as possible, avoiding squeezing fish or placing fingers in the gills and gently removing the hook. Limiting angling to the morning hours before water temperatures peak in the late afternoon also will help improve fish survival. If a fish is exhausted and can not hold itself upright, consider keeping the fish because it will likely not survive being released.

The Game and Fish and Grand Teton National Park will continue to closely monitor water temperatures to determine necessary steps to protect local fisheries. In the event of an emergency closure, the public will be notified and signs will be posted at access points to inform anglers.

“While we would greatly prefer to rely on anglers and their willingness to voluntarily limit their fishing during periods of extreme heat, we can implement emergency closures if we feel it is necessary to protect the resource,” said Darren Rhea, Game and Fish fisheries supervisor in the Jackson Region. 

For more information, visit Grand Teton National Park’s fishing webpage or contact the Game and Fish Jackson Regional office (307-733-2321).

– WGFD –