The West’s alarmingly low snowpack—and what it could mean for summer trout fishing | Hatch Magazine

It’s been a tough winter in the Rockies. Just ask around. Ski areas are closing early — or they closed weeks ago. High-elevation peaks are already shedding what little snow they received. Here in eastern Idaho, I cleared snow off my walks once all winter. With a push broom. It’s been horrifically dry at lower elevations since we got a spate of unusual (and unusually heavy) winter rain right after Christmas. And, as hopeful as those of us who live here in the shadow of the Rockies might be, there’s an underlying fear we’re all starting to voice out loud.

“It’s going to be a long, hot, smoky summer.”

Just how bad is it? Well, there’s not enough sugar to coat it. It’s miserable. The overarching message that really needs to sink in? Rain is great. But it’s not snow. Snow is the wellspring of almost every single Western river. So, while some areas of the West are happily reporting higher-than-normal precipitation numbers, the data that counts is the water that’s stored as snow along the spine of the Rockies. And that data is downright depressing — 67 weather stations in the West are reporting their warmest December, January, and February on record.

For anglers, this most likely means an earlier start to spring runoff, and, frankly, an earlier start to summer fishing. That also means lower, warmer water earlier in the season. It almost certainly means that some heralded western rivers will close to fishing as water temperatures exceed 70 degrees — a lethal temperature for trout, which must have cold water to survive. Last year, the first “hoot owl” closures came earlier than normal. In southwest Montana, for instance, restricted fishing hours were put in place on the Madison, Beaverhead, Big Hole, Bitterroot, Ruby and Clark Fork rivers on July 11, 2025 — not even a month into summer. The first “hoot owl” closures in Yellowstone National Park were put in place on June 19, 2025. This year, with well-below-median water stored as snow in the Rockies from Colorado to Montana, closures could come even earlier.

There is one very small silver lining that might satiate anglers dying to fish Yellowstone’s fabled waters this season. The National Park Service is opening the Firehole, the lower Gibbon below Virginia Cascades, and the Madison rivers to fishing on May 1. All three rivers are significantly influenced by thermal inflows from nearby geyser basins, so, while they are usually among the first to close due to warm water, the extra three weeks or so of fishing might offer some solid angling opportunities for early-season park visitors.

Beyond that, the summer outlook is fairly dire. For instance, Idaho Fish and Game is forecasting a less productive fishing experience in rivers like the Snake and its trophy trout stretch below American Falls Reservoir, largely due to lower water levels thanks to the ongoing drought, which will be exacerbated by very low regional snowpack and snow-to-water equivalent.

“With water levels low and water quality degraded, anglers should anticipate fewer and smaller trout at American Falls Reservoir in 2026 until conditions improve,” the department announced in a late-winter press release about a fish survey conducted on the river below the reservoir. “Under normal water levels, hatchery rainbow trout grow quickly in American Falls and have produced trophy-class fish, including a 34.75-inch (41.13-lb.) rainbow/cutthroat hybrid in 2011 and a 31.25-inch rainbow trout (caught and released) in 2020. When reservoir volume falls, temperatures rise and dissolved oxygen declines, pushing trout to move in search of better water—often up or down river—where survival is less certain.”

The biggest indicator that the 2026 fishing season in the Rockies might be a bust? Not one single Rocky Mountain state is reporting normal or even near-normal snowpack as of the last week of March. While some cooler and wetter weather appears to be on the way, there’s virtually no chance that mountain snowpack can recover before summer. How foreboding is the data? Let’s have a look.

Colorado

The Centennial State is really struggling with its snow-to-water equivalent, and there’s absolutely no good news to share. The state is in the midst of its mildest winter in memory, and, barring some spring snow up high, anglers could see mid-summer fishing conditions by May, which likely means low, warm water before summer starts and potential river closures from one end of the state to another.

According to Colorado State Climatologist Russ Schumaker, Colorado’s snow-to-water equivalent at the tail end of the 2025-2026 winter is just 38 percent.

“This represents the lowest snowpack in more than 40 years – and possibly ever – in Colorado’s mountains,” wrote Schumacher, who is also the director of the Colorado State University Climate Center. “Conditions haven’t been any better along the Front Range and Eastern Plains, which have also lagged far behind the median amount of snowfall.”

The reality is tragic — if you’re a traveling trout angler, consider giving Colorado a rest this summer. Here’s the regional breakdown:

Gunnison River Basin

As of March 25, the Gunnison River Basin in south-central Colorado sits at 33 percent of median median for snow-to-water equivalent. Cochetopa Pass, which separates the Gunnison River drainage from the Rio Grande drainage, has just 5 percent of its normal water reserves stored as snow at the USDA SNOTEL measurement station.

Upper Colorado Basin

The Upper Colorado River Basin, which supplies much of Denver’s water via a trans-Continental Divide pipeline, sits at just 43 percent of median when it comes to snow-to-water equivalent. The Upper Colorado, Blue, Eagle, Frying Pan, Crystal and Roaring Fork Rivers will most certainly be affected by lower-than-normal flows this summer.

The South Platte Basin

The South Platte River Basin in central Colorado is faring a hair better, with a snow-to-water equivalent of 52 percent. Still, that’s nothing to celebrate, and that will likely mean mid-summer river conditions by late April or early May.

Laramie and North Platte River basins

Northern Colorado’s rivers that flow into Wyoming aren’t faring well at all. The basin, as a whole, has a snow-to-water equivalent of just 55 percent, with the SNOTEL gauges in the Neversummer Mountains and Whiskey Park leading the way with measurements of 68 and 69 percent respectively. It doesn’t bode well for anglers who might be thinking of escaping Colorado’s horrific drought by heading north. The drought is everywhere this year, and not localized, like we often see.

Other Colorado basins

The impact of this mild winter is statewide. For instance, the Yampa River and White River basin sits at just 45 percent of normal snow-to-water equivalent; the Rio Grande is at 24 percent; the Arkansas Basin is at a measly 23 percent of normal; and the San Juan, Dolores, San Miguel, and Animas basins are bone dry, at just 21 percent of normal.

Wyoming

At first blush, it looks like the Cowboy State might be the only bright spot on the Western map this year, with the state’s northern river drainages actually seeing above-median precipitation. But there’s a very important caveat — precipitation does not equal stored water in the form of snow. That latter factor is what matters most. Here’s the ugly truth:

Snake River Basin

The Snake River Basin that includes much of southern Yellowstone National Park and most of Grand Teton National Park has seen 109 percent of its normal precipitation. Unfortunately, the basin is now storing only 78 percent of its median water supplies as snow. The only gauging station in the entire Snake River Basin that’s reporting an above-median snow-to-water equivalent is the SNOTEL station at Two Ocean Plateau, which sits near the Continental Divide inside Yellowstone National Park — 117 percent of median. Everything else is woefully behind.

Yellowstone Headwaters

This is perhaps the brightest report in the West. The headwaters of the Yellowstone River, according to the USDA, has received 124 percent of its normal precipitation and, as of March 25, is storing 101 percent of its water as on-the-ground snow. Some gauging stations are higher, such as Beartooth Lake, which sits at more than 9,000 feet in elevation just off the Beartooth Highway — it’s reporting a snow-to-water equivalent of 115 percent, and has received 154 percent of its median precipitation to date.

Other Wyoming basins

The Madison River headwaters is currently sitting at 71 percent of median for snow-to-water equivalent; the Wind River Basin is at 82 percent; The Bighorn is at 71 percent; Shoshone, 90 percent; upper North Platte, 54 percent; lower North Platte, 28 percent; Laramie, 47 percent; South Platte, 62 percent; Little Snake, 45 percent; upper Green, 75 percent; lower Green, 46 percent; upper Bear River, 55 percent.

Utah

As depressing as the news is in other Western states, it’s even more dismal in Utah, particularly in the southern half of the state, where the rivers feed the Colorado River and two of the country’s most important reservoirs, lakes Powell and Meade. Southern Utah’s combined snow-to-water equivalent is just over 11 percent of normal. Other basins are faring better, but not by much.

In all, Utah’s snowpack is the lowest ever recorded.

“We are urging our communities and local water providers to review drought contingency plans,” Laura Haskell, drought coordinator at the Utah Division of Water Resources, said. “These plans will provide clarity and actions to assist with slowing the impacts of drought.”

Price and San Rafael basins

The Price and San Rafael basins south and east of Salt Lake City are currently holding in only 7 percent of their median snow-to-water equivalent. This is just dismal.

Duchesne River Basin

The Duchesne River Basin in northwest Utah sits at 42 percent of its median, with most of the snow concentrated in the Unita Mountains. Of note, there’s no measurement provided by the USDA for Strawberry Reservoir, but the Utah Division of Water Resources reports that the lake is presently 85 percent full.

Provo River and Utah Lake basins

The Provo River Basin is at just 38 percent of normal when it comes to snow-to-water equivalent. Bright spots in the basin include Trial lake at 75 percent of normal, and Chalk Creek, which sits at 62 percent.

Other Utah river basins

The Weber-Ogden river basin is at just 33 percent of normal for snow-to-water equivalency; the Bear River drainage is at 53 percent; Raft River, 68 percent; Tooele-Vernon Creek; 21 percent; and the northeastern Uintas sit at 34 percent.

Idaho

The USDA SNOTEL data for Idaho is also depressing. With virtually no low-elevation snow for the season (but an inordinate and unusual amount of winter rain in December and January), it’s not surprising to see that most notable river drainages in the state are lagging well behind in snow-to-water storage. Here’s the most remarkable data:

Idaho Panhandle

Most of the state’s northern Panhandle is struggling with water stored as snow, even though the river basins in this traditionally wet swath of Idaho have received 108 percent of their normal precipitation. Not a single gauging station reports median or above-median storage — combined, the entire basin is storing just 66 percent of its median snow-to-water equivalency.

Coeur d’Alene-St. Joe Basin

The Coeur d’Alene and St. Joe river basins, while receiving 110 percent of their median annual precipitation to date, are only storing about 65 percent of their median when it comes to snow-to-water equivalency.

Clearwater Basin

The iconic Clearwater River basin, according to the USDA, is holding only 77 percent of its median snow-to-water equivalency, even though the basin has received 110 percent of its annual precipitation to date. The SNOTEL gauging station at Lolo Pass, as of March 25, is storing just 83 percent of its median water in the form of snow.

The Salmon River Basin

Unfortunately, the southern tier of the Gem State isn’t faring any better. The Salmon River basin, according to the USDA, is holding just 77 percent of its median snow-to-water equivalency, even though it’s received slightly more precipitation than on the median year.

The Big Wood-Little Wood, and the Big Lost-Little Lost basins

The sad saga continues. The Big and Little Wood river basins are holding 71 and 76 percent of normal snow-to-water levels. The Big Lost and Little Lost basins (the latter is the driest mountain range in the state, are doing a bit better, with 94 and 90 percent respectively.

Sinks drainages

The “sinks” drainages that run off the Beaverhead range and soak into the Big Desert in east-central Idaho are only storing 66 percent of their median snow-to-water equivalency, even after receiving a whopping 118 percent of their median precipitation.

Henry’s Fork and Teton River basins

A bit to the east, and things aren’t so rosy. The SNOTEL station in Island Park sits at just 67 percent of normal. To make matters worse, the entire Henry’s Fork/Teton River basin hasn’t even received its median annual precipitation — combined rain and snow for the basin is just 97 percent to date.

Snake River Basin

Above Palisades Reservoir, the Snake River Basin is storing only 77 percent of its median water resources as snow. The Snake Basin above American Falls Reservoir, which more accurately gauges snow-to-water equivalency in Idaho is reporting a storage level of just 68 percent. This includes both Idaho and Wyoming snow-to-water medians, and includes all of the South Fork, Teton, and Henry’s Fork data.

Other Idaho basins

The Willow, Blackfoot, and Portneuf river basins are sitting at just 26 percent of normal snow-to-water equivalency. Farther west, the Raft River basin is at 68 percent; Goose Creek, 20 percent; Salmon Falls, 26 percent; Bruneau River, 21 percent, and the Bear River, 56 percent.

Montana

On the whole, the Treasure State is faring much better than the rest of the West in terms of its annual percentage of precipitation. But, as noted above, that’s not the number that really counts. The amount of water stored as snow is what matters, and, in Montana, that data is disconcerting. Read on for more.

Kootenai River and Flathead River basins

The best-kept secret for anglers in Montana — the Kootenai River Basin in the state’s northwest corner — would appear to be sitting pretty, having received 120 percent of its normal precipitation since the water year began in October 2025. Unfortunately, most of that fell as rain, and, as of March 25, the Kootenai Basin is only storing 82 percent of its normal snow-to-water equivalent. The neighboring Flathead Basin has received 119 percent of its normal precipitation, but is currently only storing 92 percent of its median water content in on-the-ground snow.

Upper and Lower Clark Fork basins

The Upper Clark Fork Basin is fairing pretty well by comparison, having received 120 percent of its normal precipitation, and storing 100 percent of its median water as snow as of March 25. The Lower Clark Fork is struggling, with a snow-to-water equivalency of just 81 percent, even though the basin has received 109 percent of its median precipitation.

Madison and Gallatin basins

The Madison River basin has received 101 percent of its normal median precipitation, but it’s presently only storing 76 percent of its median water as on-the-ground snow. The nearby Gallatin basin is in similar shape, having received 101 percent of its normal precipitation, but only storing 70 percent of its median water as snow.

Upper Yellowstone River Basin

It’s the same climatic tale on repeat. SNOTEL sites in the upper Yellowstone River drainage report 115 percent of normal precipitation, yet only 85 percent of median when it comes to water stored as snow. There is some hope for the upper Yellowstone, however, as higher-elevation SNOTEL gauging stations are reporting more stored water in the form of snow. For instance, the Beartooth Lake, just off the Beartooth Highway

Other notable Montana basins

The Bighorn Basin’s snow-to-water equivalent is sitting at just 81 percent; the entire Missouri River basin above Fort Peck is at 79 percent; the Bitterroot Basin is at 88 percent; and the Jefferson River basin is at 79 percent.

Final word

There’s no good news. The winter of 2025-2026 was a dud from Colorado to north to Montana. While there’s hope for a wet spring and more mountain snow, the writing is on the wall for Western rivers — come summer, water will be at a premium, and trout water might only be dependably found at higher elevations, unless anglers decide to flock to tailwaters. But even then, with irrigation demands, low reservoir levels (dams can only back up water if there’s water to back up), it looks like a dismal fishing summer is ahead for the West.

What’s more, with tinder-dry forests and a seasonal outlook from the National Weather Service that predicts a hot, dry spring for the American West, we could indeed be in for a summer to remember. And not in a good way.