Fishing closures are becoming routine as record heat warms rivers in the U.S. West

Record heat and drought in the U.S. West are pushing river temperatures to levels that officials say can be lethal for trout, leading to fishing restrictions during specific hours. Wildlife agencies across the region are banning fishing as water levels drop and rivers warm faster. The closures are meant to reduce stress on species including prized trout, drawing anglers from around the world to destinations such as Yellowstone National Park and Montana’s Blackfoot River. Colorado has restricted fishing on 19 rivers totaling 635.5 miles, described as unprecedented. Yellowstone expanded afternoon limits to the whole park, and Montana broadened restrictions to cover 1,200 miles.