Trout struggling to breathe in Alberta's warm rivers and streams

The bull trout are particularly susceptible to high water temperatures in Alberta's rivers and streams. Alberta Environment / Calgary Herald archives

Trout struggling to breathe in Alberta's warm rivers and streams

Colette Derworiz, Calgary Herald, Aug 17, 2015

As the province closes streams and lakes in southern Alberta to fishing, scientists say the high temperatures in the waterways could still be deadly for some species — particularly trout.

Officials with Alberta Environment and Parks have closed more than 18 fisheries in the past week to protect fish populations in areas with water temperatures rising as high as 24 Celsius from the normal 15 to 18 C.

It’s the first time in recent memory that streams and rivers have been closed for temperature-related reasons.

“Considering some of the extremely hot temperatures that we’ve seen this summer, combined with extremely low flows of our flowing waters, we’ve taken the step of closing angling in some streams where we think the impact of even catch-and-release fishing on fish populations could be problematic,” said Paul Christensen, senior fisheries biologist with Alberta Environment and Parks.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1NBSMJR

#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎KeepEmWet‬ |

Continued high water temperatures lead to additional fishing closures

Continued high water temperatures lead to additional fishing closures

from Alberta Environment and Parks, August 14, 2015

Temporary closures of additional fisheries are needed to safeguard fish populations in areas that have exceeded temperature thresholds.

Low water flows combined with hot weather have resulted in high water temperatures in several rivers and streams throughout Southern Alberta. Angling in these areas presents a high risk to fish populations and may result in mortalities, even when using catch and release practices.

To best protect fish populations, the following areas are closed to all fishing until further notice:

*Threepoint Creek and tributaries;
*Jumpingpound Creek from headwaters to the Bow River;
*Little Red Deer River and tributaries from headwaters downstream to Red Deer River, including Dogpound Creek and tributaries;
*Waterton River and all tributaries upstream of Waterton Reservoir, including Drywood Creek;
*Waterton River downstream of Waterton Reservoir, river only;
*Castle River and tributaries downstream of SH 507 to Highway 3, including Screwdriver Creek, Beaver Mines Creek and Mill Creek;
*Pincher Creek and tributaries;
*Oldman River from Highway 22 downstream to Secondary Road 510, river only; and
*Willow Creek, main stem and tributaries from Chain Lakes downstream to Pine Coulee Reservoir Diversion Head pond.

Read more here: http://alberta.ca/release.cfm…

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎KeepEmWet‬

Fishing experts want more done to save the fish population

Fishing experts want more done to save the fish population 

The province of Alberta has put a fishing ban on some rivers in an effort to save the fish population from scorching heat, but as Doug Vaessen reports, some experts say it’s not enough.

View news story here: http://globalnews.ca/…/alberta-fly-fishers-divided-on-whet…/

@amberpayliss | @thebugparade | @AaronFeltham | Bow River Troutfitters | @MikeGifford | Country Pleasures Fly Fishing

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎KeepEmWet‬

Trout Unlimited Canada comments on fisheries closures

Trout Unlimited Canada comments on fisheries closures

With the recently implemented fisheries closures on selected southern Alberta streams CBC News Calgary invited TUC CEO Silvia D'Amelio to speak on camera regarding TUC's perspective.

View news story here (00:50 to 06:00): http://www.cbc.ca/player/News/Canada/Calgary/ID/2673486171/

‪#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎KeepEmWet‬

Continued high water temperatures lead to fishing closures

Continued high water temperatures lead to fishing closures
 
from Alberta Environment and Parks, August 11, 2015

Temporary closures of certain fisheries are needed to safeguard fish populations in areas that have exceeded temperature thresholds. 

Low water flows combined with hot weather have resulted in high water temperatures in several rivers and streams throughout Southern Alberta. Angling in these areas presents a high risk to fish populations and may result in mortalities, even when using catch and release practices.

To best protect fish populations, the following areas are closed to all fishing until further notice:

*Sheep River from headwaters to Highwood River;
*Highwood River from headwaters to Bow River;
*St. Mary River, downstream of the St. Mary Reservoir and tributaries;
*Belly River, downstream of Secondary Road 800;
*Bow River from Bearspaw Reservoir to the W.H.D. Weir;
*Bow River from W.H.D Weir to the Carseland Weir;
*Bow River from Carseland Weir to Highway 24 bridge;
*Bow River from Highway 24 bridge downstream to Bassano Dam; and
*Elbow River from Glenmore Reservoir to the Bow River confluence.

Read more here: http://bit.ly/1J2zIVg

#‎bowriver‬ | ‪#‎flyfishing‬ | ‪#‎yyc‬ | ‪#‎KeepEmWet‬

Excessive heat prompts fishing closures in Yellowstone area

Lower Madison River below Ennis, Montana. Photo, via Pete Thomas Outdoors

Excessive heat has caused problems around the country, and in Yellowstone National Park it's jeopardizing trout to the point where fishing restrictions and bans have been ordered.

The Spokesman-Review reports that fishing will be banned, beginning Wednesday, on the Gibbon River below Gibbon Falls, Firehole River below Keppler Cascades, and the Madison River.

Time-of-day restrictions already are in place on the Smith, Dearborn and Sun Rivers.

The closures and restrictions are intended to prevent added stress for trout, which thrive in cold water but struggle to survive in warm water. Water temperatures in some parts of the rivers are in the high 70s, and more hot weather is on tap this week.

LINK (via Pete Thomas Outdoors)