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Wyoming Game and Fish Urges Anglers to Adjust Practices for Fish Safety
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department asks anglers to modify their fishing practices as summer temperatures push water temperatures to dangerous levels for trout and other species across the state.
“Warmer surface temperatures have the potential to be lethal to trout,” said Alan Osterland, Wyoming Game and Fish Fish Division chief. “Warm water also holds less oxygen, which can stress not only trout, but also all fish.”
According to the department, trout face significant mortality risks when water temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. Brief exposure to temperatures above 80 degrees can prove fatal within minutes. The combination of heat stress and reduced oxygen levels in warm water severely hampers fish recovery from the physical stress of being caught.
The department recommends anglers stop catch-and-release fishing when water temperatures reach 70 degrees. At 65 degrees and above, anglers should consider keeping their catch within legal limits rather than attempting releases that may fail.
“As water temperatures increase, anglers should monitor water temperatures while fishing,” Osterland said. “When water temperatures hit 70 degrees, we recommend anglers stop catching and releasing fish. Practice self-restraint to help fish survive.”
The Yellowstone River, like many Wyoming waterways, can reach dangerous temperatures for trout during summer months, prompting Game and Fish advisories for anglers
To help fish survive during warmer conditions, Game and Fish recommends several adjustments to fishing practices. Anglers should fish early in the morning when water temperatures are coolest and carry pocket thermometers to monitor conditions throughout their trip.
Proper technique becomes critical when fishing in borderline temperature conditions. The department advises playing and landing fish as rapidly as possible to reduce exhaustion stress. Fish should be kept in the water as much as possible during handling, and anglers should avoid squeezing fish or placing fingers in gills.
Hook removal should be gentle; if a fish is deeply hooked, cutting the leader is preferable to attempting extraction. Barbless hooks, flies, or lures are recommended over bait for easier release. If a caught fish appears exhausted and cannot maintain an upright position, anglers should consider keeping it for consumption rather than attempting a likely unsuccessful release.
“These are not new regulations, just recommendations to assist with the conservation of the fishery resource,” Osterland emphasized.
Trout swimming near the surface often indicates low oxygen levels in warm water, a dangerous sign for fish health during hot weather
For anglers facing consistently high water temperatures in their usual fishing spots, the department suggests seeking cooler, high-country fisheries at higher elevations where temperatures remain more suitable for trout survival.
The advisory comes as Wyoming experiences its typical summer heat, with July historically being the warmest month for the state’s waterways. The recommendations aim to balance continued fishing opportunities with responsible conservation practices to maintain healthy fish populations for future seasons.
The post Wyoming Game and Fish Urges Anglers to Adjust Practices for Fish Safety appeared first on OutdoorHub.
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Wyoming Game and Fish Urges Anglers to Adjust Practices for Fish Safety
The Wyoming Game and Fish Department asks anglers to modify their fishing practices as summer temperatures push water temperatures to dangerous levels for trout and other species across the state.
“Warmer surface temperatures have the potential to be lethal to trout,” said Alan Osterland, Wyoming Game and Fish Fish Division chief. “Warm water also holds less oxygen, which can stress not only trout, but also all fish.”
According to the department, trout face significant mortality risks when water temperatures exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods. Brief exposure to temperatures above 80 degrees can prove fatal within minutes. The combination of heat stress and reduced oxygen levels in warm water severely hampers fish recovery from the physical stress of being caught.
The department recommends anglers stop catch-and-release fishing when water temperatures reach 70 degrees. At 65 degrees and above, anglers should consider keeping their catch within legal limits rather than attempting releases that may fail.
“As water temperatures increase, anglers should monitor water temperatures while fishing,” Osterland said. “When water temperatures hit 70 degrees, we recommend anglers stop catching and releasing fish. Practice self-restraint to help fish survive.”
The Yellowstone River, like many Wyoming waterways, can reach dangerous temperatures for trout during summer months, prompting Game and Fish advisories for anglers
To help fish survive during warmer conditions, Game and Fish recommends several adjustments to fishing practices. Anglers should fish early in the morning when water temperatures are coolest and carry pocket thermometers to monitor conditions throughout their trip.
Proper technique becomes critical when fishing in borderline temperature conditions. The department advises playing and landing fish as rapidly as possible to reduce exhaustion stress. Fish should be kept in the water as much as possible during handling, and anglers should avoid squeezing fish or placing fingers in gills.
Hook removal should be gentle; if a fish is deeply hooked, cutting the leader is preferable to attempting extraction. Barbless hooks, flies, or lures are recommended over bait for easier release. If a caught fish appears exhausted and cannot maintain an upright position, anglers should consider keeping it for consumption rather than attempting a likely unsuccessful release.
“These are not new regulations, just recommendations to assist with the conservation of the fishery resource,” Osterland emphasized.
Trout swimming near the surface often indicates low oxygen levels in warm water, a dangerous sign for fish health during hot weather
For anglers facing consistently high water temperatures in their usual fishing spots, the department suggests seeking cooler, high-country fisheries at higher elevations where temperatures remain more suitable for trout survival.
The advisory comes as Wyoming experiences its typical summer heat, with July historically being the warmest month for the state’s waterways. The recommendations aim to balance continued fishing opportunities with responsible conservation practices to maintain healthy fish populations for future seasons.
The post Wyoming Game and Fish Urges Anglers to Adjust Practices for Fish Safety appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...