Colorado: Seeking balance in Blue Mesa Reservoir

Posted on December 10, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Biologists strive to balance fish populations in a reservoir critical for Kokanee salmon; record egg harvest will help sustain Kokanee spawning program

Kokanee Salmon. PHOTO COURTESY COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE.

Taking eggs from a kokanee salmon at the Roaring Judy fish hatchery. PHOTO COURTESY GUNNISON COUNTY TIMES.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Colorado Parks and Wildlife collected 11 million eggs from kokanee salmon running out of Blue Mesa Reservoir this fall. The record harvest will ensure that Colorado Parks and Wildlife will have adequate supplies for stocking 26 reservoirs around the state with salmon fry next year.

But biologists say much more work needs to be done before they declare the population of kokanee salmon in the 9,000-acre reservoir recovered. Kokanee numbers have declined precipitously during the past 10 years as the population of predatory lake trout boomed, knocking the fishery out of balance. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Environment, fishing, recreation, Summit County news, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: New fishing regs take effect

Posted on February 26, 2011 by Bob Berwyn

Two young anglers try their luck in Tenmile Creek.

Know before you go – check the regs online here

By Summit Voice

The Colorado Division of Wildlife is reminding anglers in north-central Colorado that new fishing regulations took effect Jan. 1. The new regulations were developed through an extensive public process last summer and fall as part of the Division’s five-year review of fishing regulations in the state. The regulations were approved by the Colorado Wildlife Commission in November.

New statewide regulations include a prohibition on transporting bait fish between bodies of water and on transporting crayfish on the Western Slope. The regulations also allow underwater spearfishing, archery and the use of gigs for the take of carp and northern pike in locations where these fish were illegally introduced and where these methods are allowed by the land and water-managing authorities. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Colorado Division of Wildlife, recreation, Summit County Colorado, wildlife | Tagged: , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

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