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Trout Mortality: In Relation to Angling in Warm Water Temperatures
Brown, Mollie Henderson, Jack Chaney, Kellen Warnken, Elijah
Brown, Mollie
Henderson, Jack
Chaney, Kellen
Warnken, Elijah
Abstract
The Upper North Platte Watershed, fed by snowpack from the Never Summer, Zirkel, Sierra Madre, and Front Range Mountains, experiences significant seasonal fluctuations in water flow. River levels drop from around 3,000 cubic feet per second (CFS) in early June to nearly 100 CFS by late August, leading to increased water temperatures. Since trout thrive in water temperatures between 40-64°F, exceeding this range causes significant stress, reduced oxygen levels, and higher mortality rates, particularly when combined with angling pressure and declining insect abundance.
By bringing together conservation groups, government agencies, and the outdoor recreation industry, we aim to develop strategies such as habitat restoration, improved water management, and policy recommendations to promote trout resilience and ensure the long-term viability of the ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. We aim to educate anglers and the public on the dangers to trout health when fishing in high water temperatures and understand anglers' likelihood of adopting various measures to reduce fish mortality from increased river temperatures.
Description
Date
2025-07-31
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Publisher
University of Wyoming Libraries
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Keywords
trout,water temprature,conservation,outdoor recreation,mortality