Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking anglers to avoid fishing after noon in sections of the Yampa River and Elk River due to low flows and warm water temperatures, officials said.

The voluntary fishing ban began Tuesday for sections of the Yampa River that run through Yampa River State Park and Yampa River State Wildlife Area, just west of Hayden. In Elk River, the ban is for the 1.5-mile section through Christina State Wildlife Area northwest of Steamboat Springs.

“We are continuing to closely monitor changing environmental conditions and appreciate anglers’ patience and cooperation relative to implementation and removal of fishing closures,” said senior aquatic biologist Lori Martin with the agency.

This fishing ban adds to the existing full-day bans on Yampa River within Stagecoach Reservoir State Park and Chuck Lewis State Wildlife Area that were implemented earlier this summer.

Voluntary fishing ban issued near Gunnison

On Tuesday, the agency lifted the voluntary full-day fishing ban on the Colorado River that was implemented Wednesday upstream of Highway 9 bridge in Kremmling. The ban is still in place downstream to the Highway 13 bridge in Rifle.

Martin said that ban was lifted because environmental conditions have recently improved between the bridges due to upstream reservoir releases.

“Other waters that may see closures in the immediate future include sections of the Colorado River upstream of the Williams Fork River confluence, the Fraser River and the upper Yampa River,” Martin said.

This closure comes as most of the major rivers of Colorado’s Western Slope are experiencing adverse conditions heading into the hottest days of summer, officials said.

Voluntary fishing closure enacted on portions of Colorado River

Wild life officials issue emergency closures of fishing waters when they determine environmental conditions could kill fish.

Criteria for closures includes when waters reach 71 degrees, stream flows are 50% or less than the daily average, daily dissolved oxygen is less than six parts per million or when fish condition is visibly deteriorating, the agency said.

Officials are urging anglers to “Know Before You Go” and check conditions and closures online before hitting the road.

“Get out early to avoid the higher water temperatures commonly seen in the afternoon and evening,” Martin said. “Anglers are also encouraged to seek out high-elevation trout lakes and streams, where water temperatures are more suitable and fishing doesn’t potentially add additional stress.”