Colorado Parks and Wildlife lifts voluntary fishing closures on three Northwest Region rivers

Sept. 19, 2026

 

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. — Cooler water temperatures have prompted Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) to lift voluntary fishing closures on parts of three Northwest Region rivers, effective immediately.

The following afternoon and full-day voluntary fishing  closures have been lifted:

• Colorado River: All voluntary fishing closures from Windy Gap Dam downstream to the Williams Fork confluence near Parshall, and from Red Dirt Creek downstream to the Highway 13 bridge in Rifle. While low flows continue to persist in sections of the Colorado River, cold tributaries, deeper-water refuges in narrow canyon reaches, and larger pools provide cool refuges for fish. 

• Fraser River: The afternoon voluntary fishing closures from County Road 8 in Fraser downstream to the Colorado River confluence outside Granby. This area includes Fraser Flats, Fraser River Canyon, and public waters in Granby.

• White River: The afternoon voluntary fishing closure on the North Fork and South Fork from the White River National Forest boundary down to their confluence. Closures are also lifted on the White River from the confluence of the North Fork White River and the South Fork White River downstream to County Road 5.

While conditions have improved on these three rivers, full-day voluntary closures remain in place for other waters across the region. High water temperatures and low flows has prompted CPW to continue voluntary fishing closures on parts of the Eagle River, Crystal River, Elk River, and Yampa River.

A mandatory fishing closure also remains in place on the Yampa River from the Stagecoach State Park dam downstream 0.6 miles to the park boundary.

CPW thanks anglers for adhering to the voluntary fishing closure to help us protect and conserve fish populations for future generations. 

Anglers are encouraged to check river conditions before traveling. For a complete list of mandatory and voluntary fishing closures, visit the 2026 Weather and Drought Closures page.
 

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