April 10, 2012
Information for Anglers
COLORADO CRACKING DOWN ON BUCKET BIOLOGISTS: Colorado Wildlife officers and State Park Rangers are on the lookout for people who illegally move fish in the state. Fish such as smallmouth bass, walleye and northern pike have been illegally introduced in several Colorado reservoirs. These predator fish can out-compete traditional sport fish such as trout and kokanee, and ruin recreational fishing for other anglers. They also threaten populations of native fish downstream in the Colorado and San Juan rivers. Angler dollars that could be focused on improving fishing for all anglers often end up being focused on eradicating an illegally introduced population. Anyone caught moving fish between bodies of water faces fines of up to $5,000 plus the loss of hunting and fishing privileges in Colorado and 36 other states. Those convicted can also be liable for the cost of removing the illegally stocked fish – costs which could run into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Information about illicit stocking activity can be reported anonymously and tipsters can earn cash rewards through Operation Game Thief at 877-265-6648 or game.thief@state.co.us.
DID YOU GET YOUR NEW FISHING LICENSE? 2012 licenses went into effect April 1 and are valid until March 31, 2013. Don't forget to get your new license before you head out.
HAVE YOU SEEN THE NEW COLORADO FISHING BROCHURE? This year's brochure includes a link to printable fishing maps, QR codes to access interactive information. It also provides important information on ways anglers can protect their fisheries from illicit stocking and aquatic nuisance species. http://www.flipseekpubs.com/publication/?i=99616
RARE BIRD BEACH CLOSURES AT SOUTHEAST RESERVOIRS: Anglers headed to John Martin Reservoir State Park, Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake or Nee Gronda Reservoir are reminded that some beach areas are closed to protecting nesting threatened and endangered shorebirds. The rare least tern and piping plover nest in these areas and volunteers mark nest sites to protect the nests and minimize disturbance. You can find more information online at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/NewsMedia/PressReleases/pages/pressrelease.aspx?PressId=7644
ANGLER SURVEY: Anyone who fished in Colorado in 2011 might be hearing from a survey company that is helping Colorado Parks and Wildlife get a better understanding of angler habits and preferences. The 2012 angler survey started over the phone last week and will contact 3,000 randomly-selected resident and non-resident anglers. The goal of the survey is help predict angler demand over the next 20 years. The final report from the survey will be available on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website later this year.
Stocking Report
The following waters were recently stocked with catchable (approximately 10") trout:
Metro Denver
Aurora Reservoir
Brighton City Park Lake
Hine Lake (Jefferson County)
Mann-Nyholt Lake (Adams County Fairgrounds)
Quincy Reservoir (Aurora)
Northeast Region
Dowdy Lake, Larimer County
Eleven Mile Reservoir, Park County
Mead Pond #2, Weld County
Pine Valley Ranch Lake, Jefferson County
Wellington Reservoir #4, Larimer County
West Lake, Red Feather, Larimer County
Southeast Region
Frantz Lake, Chaffee County
Hasty Lake, John Martin State Park, Bent County
Las Animas Pond, Bent County
Manitou Reservoir, Teller County
Memorial Pond, Woodland Park
Monument Lake, El Paso County
Nichols Reservoir, El Paso County
Palmer Lake, Town of Palmer Lake
Pike View Reservoir, Colorado Springs
Pueblo City Park Lake, Pueblo
Quail Lake, Colorado Springs
Rampart Reservoir, El Paso County
Sands Lake, Chaffee County
Turks Pond, Baca County
Northwest Region
Corn Lake, Clifton
Fruita Red Rocks Lake, Mesa County
Mack Mesa, Highline Lake State Park, Mesa County
Nofstger Reservoir, Routt County
Parachute Pond, City of Parachute
Rifle Pond South, Rifle
Roan's Pothole, Island Acres, James M. Robb State Park
West Lake, Grand Junction
Zeigler Reservoir, Routt County
Southwest Region
Chipeta Lake, Montrose County
Confluence Lake, Delta
Ridgway Reservoir
Ute Park Lake, Montrose
