CPW lifts all voluntary fishing closures in Southwest Region

Sept. 30, 2026

DURANGO, Colo. – The Southwest Region of Colorado Parks and Wildlife has rescinded its voluntary fishing closures on 11 sections of river, effective immediately.

Recent rains and cooler temperatures have alleviated stress on fisheries across southwest Colorado, prompting CPW to remove voluntary closures in place in the region.

“We want to thank all of the anglers and guides who helped take pressure off of some of our favorite fisheries in the region during this difficult summer,” said CPW Southwest Region Senior Aquatic Biologist Jim White. “Giving these fish a break when flows were at historic lows and with water temperatures soaring past 70 degrees this year helped us protect these resources and ensure future health.”

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: See a list of all fishing and CPW boat ramp closures in place in Colorado.

Here is more information about each removed closure:

Animas River
Recent heavy rain and cooler temperatures have seen the Animas River water temperature drop to 54 degrees with flows reaching as high as 2,400 cfs in the past week. CPW has removed the voluntary afternoon fishing closure that had been in place since July 13 from 32nd Street to Rivera Bridge.

Cochetopa Creek
Recent rain events have helped Cochetopa Creek stream flows reach as high as 31 cfs after it had dropped to only 2 cfs earlier this summer. Increased flows paired with cooler temperatures has prompted CPW to remove the voluntary fishing closure that had been in place since July 10 downstream of the La Garita Wilderness boundary.

Conejos River
Flows continued to be incredibly low on the Conejos River until recent rain events paired with CPW’s work with Conejos Water Conservancy District to secure releases from Platoro Reservoir to benefit fish habitat and health. Thanks to the recent rains and rapidly cooling temperatures, CPW has lifted the voluntary afternoon fishing closure that had been in place since July 2 from Platoro Reservoir to Broyles Bridge at County Road D.5.

Dolores River
While the Dolores River continues to see low flows of just 5 cfs from McPhee Reservoir, water temperatures have dropped to the low 60s. Local rain events have helped to increase flows and fill isolated pools, improving stream conditions for fish. CPW has removed the voluntary afternoon fishing closure that had been in place since July 13 from McPhee Dam to Bradfield Bridge.

Gunnison River
Cooler temperatures and recent rain have helped CPW remove two voluntary fishing closures that had been in place on sections of the Gunnison River. Flows have returned to near the historical median while water temperatures are now safe to fish in the low 60s. CPW has removed the voluntary afternoon fishing closure that had been in place since July 21 between the confluence of the North Fork of the Gunnison at Pleasure Park downstream to Highway 65.

CPW has also lifted a voluntary closure that had been in place since Aug. 7 from the U.S. Highway 50 bridge to the standing water line of Blue Mesa Reservoir.

"Kokanee salmon have begun their fall migration from Blue Mesa to Roaring Judy Hatchery,” said CPW aquatic biologist Giulio Del Piccolo. “The egg-take at Roaring Judy is critical for maintaining the species in Blue Mesa and other waters around the state. CPW would like to remind anglers that taking Kokanee Salmon is prohibited in the Gunnison River above the Blue Mesa standing water line until November 1. We ask that anglers handle Kokanee carefully and return them to the water as quickly as possible to avoid mortality."

Lake Fork of the Gunnison River
Recent rain events have bumped flows on the Lake Fork near its historical median. Temperatures have dropped and are now peaking in the low 60s. CPW has removed the voluntary afternoon fishing closure that had been in place since July 10 below Lake San Cristobal.

Rio Grande
Thanks to recent rain, flows have returned to near average for early autumn on the Rio Grande at Wagon Wheel Gap and Del Norte. CPW has removed a voluntary fishing closure that had been in place since July 15 from Rio Grande Reservoir downstream to the Rio Grande Canal.

South Fork of the Rio Grande
Flows have increased from 40 cfs to as much as 778 cfs with recent heavy rains in the area. Paired with cool evening temperatures in the low 40s, conditions have improved on the South Fork enough for CPW to lift a voluntary fishing closure that had been in place since July 15 from Big Meadows Reservoir Dam to the main stem of the Rio Grande.

San Juan River
Recent rain events have bumped the upper San Juan River flows well above 2,000 cfs, and water temperatures have dropped into the 60s. With cool evening temperatures paired with the recent heavy rain, CPW has removed the voluntary afternoon fishing closure that had been in place since July 13 from the Highway 160 and Highway 84 intersection downstream to Yamaguchi Park as the river flows through Pagosa Springs.

Tomichi Creek
While Tomichi Creek is still running well below the normal seasonal median, cooler temperatures have alleviated conditions for fish in Tomichi Creek. With recent rain increasing flows paired with cooler temperatures has prompted CPW to remove the voluntary fishing closure that had been in place since July 10 downstream of Sargents.

 

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