Colorado Parks and Wildlife have enacted a second voluntary fishing ban because of low flows and warm temperatures caused by drought in the western part of the state.

Anglers are being asked to not fish in a four-mile section of Tomichi Creek that runs through Tomichi Creek State Wildlife Area, just east of Gunnison, in the afternoon hours, according to a release from the state’s park department.

“Currently, water temperatures are exceeding 71 degrees Fahrenheit consistently,” said CPW aquatic biologist Dan Brauch. “The temperatures are trending to spike in the afternoon. Fish that are caught when temperatures are that high may experience increased stress and anglers may find it difficult to release fish safely.”

Bauch recommends anglers fish early in the day to avoid the water at higher temperatures, but also seek high-elevations trout lakes and steams where temperatures are more suitable. 

Voluntary fishing closure enacted on portions of Colorado River

On Wednesday, the state’s park department enacted a voluntary fishing closure in portions of the Colorado River, citing the same problems.

Officials will be monitoring temperatures in both bodies of water in the comings weeks and when conditions are favorable will remove the closure.

Many of the major rivers on the state’s Western Slope are experiencing adverse conditions and officials are encouraging anglers to check conditions before heading out.