LURAY, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Shenandoah National Park’s streams and rivers are closed to fishing due to low flows and high water temperatures.

According to a news release from SNP, dry conditions have led to extremely low stream flows throughout the park, including some dry river sections. Hot weather has also led to high water temperatures.

Despite some rain earlier this week, river flows remain low and are expected to continue dropping with continued hot, dry weather.

According to the release, low flows and high temperatures create extremely stressful conditions for fish, and dissolved oxygen can decline to fatal conditions. Angling during these conditions could harm the native brook trout populations, which are already low.

The closure applies to all streams within park boundaries, including open-to-harvest and catch-and-release waters, and will be lifted when conditions improve. Stream flows are expected to remain low until significant precipitation occurs across the area.

This will be the third summer that SNP has closed fishing in response to drought conditions, having previously done so in 2021 and 2023.