In a move to protect aquatic life amidst low water flow conditions, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has initiated a mandatory full-day fishing closure on a portion of the Yampa River. The affected stretch spans 0.6 miles, from the dam at Stagecoach State Park down to its lowermost park boundary, starting Monday, May 19. Aiming to mitigate fish mortality risks in this tailwater fishery, the closure remains in effect until further notice.
The decision comes in response to the decreased water output from Stagecoach Reservoir. Concerned with the well-being of the fish population, CPW officials, including Steamboat Springs Area Aquatic Biologist Marisa Eley, emphasized the need for action. Eley said, "This closure is an effort to protect the resource by giving the fish a bit of a reprieve as they are prone to increased stressors related to these low-flow conditions," as per Colorado Parks and Wildlife. Due to the water conditions, fish become concentrated in residual pool habitat, finding themselves embroiled in increased competition for food, which, paired with easier targeting by anglers, can lead to higher hooking mortality rates.
CPW and the Upper Yampa Water Conservancy District (UYWCD), operators of Stagecoach Reservoir, maintain close coordination to monitor the reservoir's inflow and manage outflow accordingly. "We are grateful for our partnership with UYWCD," stated Stagecoach State Park Manager Craig Preston, as obtained by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, as their diligent updates on water flow aid in safeguarding the fishery for the enjoyment of future generations.
UYWCD General Manager, Andy Rossi, reinforced their commitment to the cause, saying, "We will continue to closely monitor the inflow at Stagecoach Reservoir," as noted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. He expressed the readiness of the district to promptly adjust the outflow should the conditions allow, and in consultation with CPW, to reconsider the fishing closure. This collaborative approach is paramount to protect the Yampa River's renowned fishing scene, which reels in thousands of anglers each year.
