Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
Serving the Big Horn Basin for over 100 years
WORLAND — With high temperatures and drought conditions hitting Wyoming, the state’s wildlife officials are urging the public to adjust their fishing practices.
Not doing so could be lethal for the some of the state’s most prized fisheries.
“It’s that time of the year when temperatures are high and water flows are low,” Wyoming Game and Fish Division Chief Alan Osterland said in a news release. “Together, that can cause water temperatures to get high enough to be lethal to trout. Warm water also holds less oxygen which can stress not only trout but also fish.”
Trout will die after prolonged exposure to water temperatures of more than 75 degrees and just brief exposure to temperatures more than 80 degrees are lethal.
Water temperatures approaching 70 degrees decreases the chance of any fish species surviving being caught.
“As water temperatures increase, anglers should monitor water temps while fishing. When water temperature hits 70 degrees, we recommended that anglers should stop catching and releasing fish,” Osterland said. “Practice self-restraint to help fish survive.”
Anglers can practice ethical fishing practices by fishing early in the morning when the water temperature is cooler, carrying a pocket thermometer, using heavier line, keeping the fish in the water as much as possible and using barbless hooks for easier hook removal.
“If a fish is exhausted and cannot hold itself upright, and if regulations allow, consider having it for supper because the fish has a poor chance of surviving,” Game and Fish said.