ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, Va. (ROCKTOWN NOW) – Shenandoah National Park officials announced last evening that effective immediately, the parkwide fishing ban has been lifted.

Extremely dry conditions and low stream flows prompted the ban on June 27. However, recent rainfall has improved conditions resulting in lifting the fishing ban.

Weather data varied between four to eight inches of precipitation throughout the park since August 8.

Evan Childress, Chief of Natural and Cultural Resources, cautioned anglers to be gentle with the fish and the fragile environment they inhabit.

He said to minimize the time fish are out of the water before releasing them.