Effective Friday, July 10, Colorado Parks and Wildlife implemented a voluntary fishing closure on the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River as well as Cochetopa and Tomichi creeks.
The half-day voluntary closures will be in effect from noon to midnight until further notice. Signage has been posted at all three water bodies.
During the warm summer months, rivers with unusually low flows can experience wide daily water temperature fluctuations, reaching their maximum temperatures in the late afternoon. By implementing a voluntary half-day closure rather than a full day, anglers can still enjoy time on the water in the morning when water temperatures are suitable without stressing fish in the afternoon.
“Cochetopa and Tomichi have been incredibly impacted by the historic drought this year,” said CPW aquatic biologist Giulio Del Piccolo. “The Lake Fork also sees a lot of fishing pressure from anglers. Between high temperatures and low-flow conditions, it is important to protect these fish populations.”
The Lake Fork of the Gunnison River has run as low as 68 cubic feet per second this year, a historic low for the first week of July and a figure that is 20% of the median. Water temperatures have reached 69 degrees. This popular fishery provides anglers quality trout fishing opportunities for brown and rainbow trout.
The Lake Fork voluntary closure is in place for the river as it flows below Lake San Cristobal.
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