A small section of the Yampa River at Fish Creek is closing Friday, Oct. 4, and will be closed through mid-November. It’s to protect the native Mountain Whitefish population during their annual spawn migration and concentration. The City of Steamboat Springs announced the closure in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
Press Release from the City of Steamboat Springs; Sept. 25, 2024.
Fish Creek and Yampa River Confluence Closure
Closure Implemented To Protect Concentration Of Spawning Mountain Whitefish
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, COLORADO-September 25, 2024 – While most of the Yampa River is open to recreation, a small section at the confluence of the Yampa River and Fish Creek, as well as a portion of Fish Creek will be under a closure starting Friday, October 4 and running through Friday, November 15.
Colorado Parks & Wildlife, in collaboration with City of Steamboat Springs, is implementing a voluntary closure on a portion of Fish Creek, as well as the pool at the confluence with the Yampa River.
Mountain whitefish are one of only two native sport fish that can be found in northwest Colorado in the Yampa and White River drainages. This closure will move to a mandatory closure starting in 2025.
This closure is a management tool to help protect the fragile native mountain whitefish population during their annual spawn migration and concentration. The mountain whitefish population of the Yampa River has declined to very concerning levels, thus it’s imperative that fish are protected during spawning time.
The closure runs roughly 100 feet upstream and 200 feet downstream on the Yampa River, as well as up Fish Creek to the Safeway bridge (~.3 miles). Signage will be in place to alert river users of the closure in this area.
As part of the Yampa River Health Assessment and Streamflow Management Plan, adopted in 2018, the city, along with its partners, is committed to promoting native fish populations from further decline and the specific focus on whitefish in Fish Creek is one of the ways to accomplish this goal.
Signage will be posted in the area and your cooperation is greatly appreciated!