Shenandoah National Park's streams and rivers are closed to fishing due to drought, high water temp

LURAY — Effective immediately, Shenandoah National Park’s streams and rivers are closed to fishing due to low stream flows and high water temperatures, according to a press release.

This closure is being implemented to ensure the long-term health of the fish populations in the park.

Dry conditions have led to extremely low stream flows throughout the Park, including some river sections that are completely dry. Under low-flow conditions, high water temperatures occur with hot weather and dissolved oxygen levels go down, which are stressful and potentially fatal for fish, the release said.

Angling during these conditions could harm the native brook trout populations, the release said. This closure is for all streams including both open-to-harvest and catch-and-release waters.

Stream flows are expected to remain low until significant precipitation occurs across the area. The closure will be lifted when stream conditions improve.

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This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Climate change: Shenandoah National Park drought, high water temperature