Effective today, Aug. 1, Yellowstone National Park has closed some rivers to trout fishing because water temperatures have risen, stressing the fish.
The following rivers are closed to all fishing:
• Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls
• Firehole River below Keppler Cascades
• Madison River
A park news release cited high air temperatures, limited rainfall, runoff from thermal features, and below average stream flows as reasons prompting the closures.
Example: Gibbon River temps have been above 73 degrees most of the past two weeks, with water temperatures in the Firehole River above 78.
Other park streams are being monitored.
Park staff say the extended forecast is for hot and dry conditions, and that additional fishing restrictions could follow.
Updates at www.nps.gov/yell
