Colorado River trout population impacted by warmer water temperatures

PAGE, AZ (AZFamily) — The fishing on the Colorado River near Lee’s Ferry on the Fly is world-renowned – taking people to fish under Horseshoe Bend and near Glen Canyon Dam.

However, increasing river temperatures have hurt fish, causing a ripple effect among local fishing businesses.

Lake Powell is just under 40% full, so the water flowing into the Colorado River is much warmer. This has caused native fish numbers to dwindle and hurt local fishing companies.

Dave Foster has been fishing on the Colorado River since the 1960s and started his business, Lee’s Ferry on the Fly, in the 1980s.

However, 40 years later, a lot has changed, including the number of fish—especially trout. He said the last two years have been some of the hardest.

“The target catch rate for Arizona Game and Fish Department is eight fish per hour,” Foster said. “Right now, we’re at somewhere around 0.2 fish per hour. We probably lost between 30 to 35% of the fish in the river.”

Scott Rogers, Arizona Game and Fish Aquatic Wildlife Program manager, said warm water attracts nonnative fish and harms the trout population.

“The problem is all these issues have impacted the fishery through primarily there the Trout’s ability to produce offspring,” Roger said.

Foster said this has caused many fishing companies to go out of business.

“There was as many as 20 fishing guides working this piece of river but now there are only five of us left. It’s due to catch rates and the size of the fish,” he said.

Brady Black owns Lee’s Ferry Lodge and said that while fishing companies have suffered, other businesses have taken advantage of the warm water.

“It definitely affects their population but kayak businesses have filled right in,” Black said.

Foster said they hope for higher lake water, cooler rivers, and for the state and federal governments to step in.

However, he said that regardless of conditions, it’s a beautiful area, and they always give people a great day on the river.

“Well, it means I have to work offley hard,” Foster said. “It also means I can’t give people the day I feel responsible to give them. We do our best to give them the best possible day. We always have a good time.”

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