Air and water temperatures are rising and river flows are coming down and the Wyoming Game and Fish Department’s Green River fish management staff is very concerned about the impacts to both fish and anglers in the Green River.
“Trout experience significant mortality at prolonged exposure to water temperatures greater than 75 degrees Fahrenheit and brief exposure to temperatures over 80 degrees are lethal,” said Green River Fisheries Supervisor Robert Keith. “As water levels drop and water temperatures rise we are asking anglers fishing on the river to monitor water temperatures while fishing. Being caught and released is stressful on any fish, but especially trout and kokanee salmon. Anglers should give fish a break as water temperatures reach over 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The warmer water stresses fish and being caught and released stresses them even more. Fish handling mortality can be quite high when water temperatures get over 70 degrees. Even if a fish swims away from an angler it does not mean it is going to survive.”
Keith says anglers can reduce impacts to fish by fishing early in the morning while water temperatures are cooler and carry a thermometer to monitor water temperature. If the temperature is at or above 65 degrees, reconsider your plans to catch and release trout in local rivers and streams. It’s a good idea to stop fishing for the day and give the fish a break.