Voluntary, mandatory fishing closures in place on Yampa River near Steamboat Springs amid severe drought

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has implemented voluntary and mandatory fishing closures on the Yampa River near Steamboat Springs due to high water temperatures and low flow threatening fish health. The voluntary closure covers 1.7 miles from Sarvis Creek to Stagecoach Reservoir, while a mandatory closure affects 0.6 miles downstream of Stagecoach State Park. The closures aim to protect mountain whitefish, a vulnerable native species, during a historic drought.