OUTDOORS: Colorado Parks and Wildlife institutes voluntary fishing closures on northwest rivers.

Anglers in stretches of northwest Colorado are being asked by parks and wildlife officials to either fish earlier in the day or consider finding a different place to cast out as the state’s rivers struggle with high water temperatures and low flows.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife is instituting voluntary fishing closures from 2 p.m. through midnight on sections of the Eagle, Colorado, Crystal and Roaring Fork rivers.

The fishing closure is effective immediately and will remain until further notice, according to a Colorado Parks and Wildlife news release.

Although Anglers are not legally prohibited from fishing in these areas, wildlife experts have asked folks to consider their recommendations until conditions improve.

“We appreciate the patience of our angling community as we work through some tough climate conditions,” said J.T. Romatzke, northwest regional manager. “Conserving our state’s fisheries is critical, not just for anglers, but for the local communities and businesses that rely on these resources for their livelihoods.”

Sections for the closures include: Eagle River from Wolcott downstream until it meets the Colorado River; Colorado River from State Bridge downstream to Rifle; Crystal River from Avalanche Creek downstream to its confluence with the Roaring Fork River; Roaring Fork River from Carbondale downstream until it meets the Colorado River.

CPW is placing signs along the impacted sections to let people know fishing at higher elevation lakes and streams is more ideal since environmental factors are much less severe, officials said.

If current conditions keep up, CPW may increase fishing restrictions to allday voluntary fishing closures or mandatory closures.