2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016

Page created by Lois Mason
 
CONTINUE READING
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
C O L O R A D O                          P A R K S   &   W I L D L I F E

     2015 Colorado
     Fishing
      SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016

online brochure

                                                                       cpw.state.co.us
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
2015 Colorado Fishing                                                                                                                                                                 REFERENCE

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Licenses and Information.............................. 1
                                                                                             CPW OFFICE LOCATIONS                   cpw.state.co.us
  • What’s New, license fees, season dates, Habitat Stamp
                                                                                             See the CPW website for a complete list of our 42 parks locations that can also sell fishing
Reference.................................................... 2-9
                                                                                             and hunting licenses, issue duplicate licenses and accept licenses for refunds. Only the offic-
 • Gear: What you need to start fishing .............................2
                                                                                             es below can assist hunters with animal checks and samples related to hunting activities.
 • Bag and possession limits.................................................3
 • State records.........................................................................4   BRUSH                             GRAND JUNCTION                    MONTROSE
 • How to measure your catch..............................................4                  122 E. Edison                     711 Independent Ave.              2300 S. Townsend Ave.
 • Illegal stocking.....................................................................5    Brush, 80723                      Grand Junction, 81505             Montrose, 81401
 • License, residency and disability requirements...........5                                (970) 842-6300                    (970) 255-6100                    (970) 252-6000
 • Special conditions and restrictions.................................6                     COLORADO SPRINGS                  GUNNISON                          PUEBLO
 • Legal fishing methods, glossary of fishing terms........7                                 4255 Sinton Road		                300 W. New York Ave.              600 Reservoir Road
  • Fishery programs................................................................8        Colorado Springs, 80907           Gunnison, 81230                   Pueblo, 81005
                                                                                             (719) 227-5200		                  (970) 641-7060                    (719) 561-5300
 • Aquatic nuisance species, information
   for boaters, how to clean waders and gear .................9                              DENVER                            HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS               SALIDA
                                                                                             6060 Broadway                     346 Grand County Rd. 362          7405 Hwy. 50
Regulations............................................. 10-35                               Denver, 80216                     Hot Sulphur Springs, 80451        Salida, 81201
                                                                                             (303) 291-7227                    (970) 725-6200		                  (719) 530-5520
Good Places To....                                                                                                             LAMAR                             STEAMBOAT SPRINGS
                                                                                             DURANGO
 • Take kids fishing.................................................................13      151 E. 16th St.                   2500 S. Main St.                  925 Weiss Dr.
 • Fish for kokanee.................................................................21       Durango, 81301		                  Lamar, 81052                      Steamboat Springs, 80487
 • Ice fish in January..............................................................23       (970) 247-0855                    (719) 336-6600                    (970) 870-2197

Maps                                                                                         FORT COLLINS                      MEEKER
  • Wiper/white bass & walleye/saugeye limits.................3                              317 W. Prospect Road              73485 Hwy. 64
                                                                                             Fort Collins, 80526		             Meeker, 81641
  • Upper Arkansas River.......................................................11            (970) 472-4300		                  (970) 878-6090
  • Blue River Basin.................................................................12                                                                          ADMINISTRATION
  • Middle Colorado and Eagle rivers................................14                       GLENWOOD SPRINGS                  MONTE VISTA
                                                                                                                               0722 S. Road 1 E.                 1313 Sherman St., #618
  • Upper Colorado River: Headwaters to Radium.........15                                    0088 Wildlife Way
                                                                                                                               Monte Vista, 81144                Denver, 80203
                                                                                             Glenwood Springs, 81601
  • Conejos and Alamosa rivers..........................................17                                                     (719) 587-6900                    (303) 297-1192
                                                                                             (970) 947-2920
 • Lower Colorado River and Grand Mesa......................19
  • Upper Poudre River Drainage........................................24
  • Upper Rio Grande Basin..................................................26
  • Middle Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers...................27                             LIFE HACK: BOOKMARK THIS BROCHURE ON YOUR SMARTPHONE.
  • South Platte River: Cheesman to Chatfield................28                                                                 bit.ly/coloradofishing
  • South Platte River: South Park.......................................29
  • White River: Headwaters to Meeker.............................32
 • White River: Meeker to Utah state line.........................33
  • Yampa River: Headwaters to Craig..............................35                          Printed for free distribution by

Fish Identification ................................... 36-37                                COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE
                                                                                              6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216
                                                                                              (303) 297-1192
                                                                                              cpw.state.co.us
FISHING INFORMATION & CONDITIONS:
                                                                                              Editor: Amy Bulger | Cover photo by © Timothy Miller.
NOTE: Drought conditions are affecting the Eastern Plains. These
                                                                                              Printed March 2015 by Publication Printers, Denver. 320,000 copies.
recorded updates and the CPW website have current conditions
                                                                                              Printing paid for with hunting and fishing license fees.
for waters in the following areas of the state:
                                                                                              Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director: Robert Broscheid
Statewide...................................... (303) 291-7534
Metro Denver/Foothills............ (303) 291-7535                                             The Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission sets fishing regulations in November. Commis-
Northeast Colorado................... (303) 291-7536                                          sion members are (as of February 2015): Robert Bray, chairman • Christopher Castilian, vice
Northwest Colorado.................. (303) 291-7537                                           chairman • Jeanne Horne, secretary • John Howard, member • Bill Kane, member • Dale Pizel,
Southeast Colorado.................. (303) 291-7538                                           member • James Pribyl, member • James Vigil, member • Dean Wingfield, member • Michelle
Southwest Colorado................. (303) 291-7539                                            Zimmerman, member • Alexander Zipp, member • Mike King, ex officio member

Fish Stocking Reports............... (303) 291-7531                                           CPW receives federal financial assistance from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In accordance
                                                                                              with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title
BOAT REGISTRATION:                                                                            II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Title
                                                                                              IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus
Information can be found online at: cpw.state.co.us/
buyapply/Pages/BoatingRegistrations.aspx                                                      prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability or sex.

REPORT OIL SPILLS:                                                                            NOTE: Laws and regulations in this brochure are paraphrased for easier understanding and are
                                                                                              intended only as a guide. Complete Colorado wildlife statutes and regulations are available at
To report an oil or chemical spill in the water, call the                                     CPW offices listed above and online at cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/Regulations.aspx.
24-hour hotline at Colorado Department of Public
Health and Environment, 1-877-518-5608.
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
REFERENCE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       2015 Colorado Fishing

LICENSE FEES
     ANNUAL LICENSES ARE VALID
     APRIL 1, 2015-MARCH 31, 2016
                                                                                             WHAT’S NEW2015
     GET YOUR LICENSE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                » CHATFIELD AND CHERRY CREEK...
           » Online: cpw.state.co.us/fish/buyapply                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Spawning closures have been modified at
           » By phone: 1-800-244-5613                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    both of these reservoirs. See page 13.
           » In person: CPW offices, state parks
                        or license agents                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            » LAKE TROUT AT GRAND LAKE... Rules
                                                                                                                            Arctic char by © Joe Tomelleri
                                                                                  FEE                                                                                                                                                                                                                    for lake trout fishing at Grand Lake have
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         been simplified by removing seasonal
     » Habitat Stamp.............................................$10                         » ARCTIC CHAR... New bag and possession
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         restrictions. See page 20.
       Required for residents and nonresidents,                                                limits are in place for Arctic char at Dil-
       ages 18-64. Add this to license fees below if                                           lon Reservoir. Regulations will encourage
       you have not yet purchased a 2015 Habitat Stamp.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              » SMALLMOUTH BASS AT RIDGWAY...
                                                                                               the population of these desirable sport
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Bag and possession limits for small-
                                                                                               fish to grow both in size and numbers.
     RESIDENTS                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           mouth bass have been removed.
                                                                                               See page 16.
     » Adult annual (ages 16-63)......................................$26                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Smallmouth bass were introduced to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Ridgway Reservoir illegally. In 2013, the
     » Senior annual (64 and older)................................... $1                    » ANTERO RESERVOIR... Antero is sched-                                                                                                                                                                      population had grown to 15 percent of
       For senior lifetime low-income licenses, see page 5                                     uled to be drained during the summer                                                                                                                                                                      the fish sampled by CPW. These fish have
     » Small Game & Fishing combo.............................$41                              of 2015. Check the CPW website for                                                                                                                                                                        the potential to threaten endangered fish
                                                                                               updates, cpw.state.co.us.                                                                                                                                                                                 species and native species in the Upper
     NONRESIDENTS                                                                                                                            ]                                                                                                                                                           Colorado River Basin. Regulations will
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          limit their numbers and help Western

                                                                                                                                                          »
                                                                                                                                                                        HOW TO

     » Annual .........................................................................$56
                                                                                                                                                                               GET ST

                                                                                                                                      E
                                                                                                                                                             GEAR,
                                                                                                                                                                                     ARTED

                                                                                                                                  REFERENC
                                                                                             » BEGINNER’S GUIDE
                                                                                                                                                                     KNOTS,
                                                                                                                                                                              TIPS FOR
                                                                                                                                                                                           FISHIN
                                                                                                                                                                                        BEGINNE
                                                                                                                                              Getting Fishing is a
                                                                                                                                                                                                 GRS OF ALL
                                                                                                                                                                                                             AGES

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     ]     waterways remain safe for other fish
                                                                                                                                                     started       grea
                                                                                                                                                             isn’t com t lifetime activ

     » Five-day.......................................................................$21                                            1. ROPICDK&YOREUREL
                                                                                                                                                                       plicated.       ity
                                                                                                                                                                                 Follow and a fun way

                                                                                                TO FISHING...
                                                                                                                                                                                         our basi        for fami
                                                                                                                                                                                                 c equipme       lies
                                                                                                                                                                                                            nt guid to spend time

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         »
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    e, and you’      toge
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               ll be hoo ther outdoors

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          species. See page 29.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        ked befo       .
                                                                                                                                                      A closed                                                                                   re you
                                                                                                                                                     rod and -face spincast                                                                                                                   know it!

                                                                                               Ready to try but
                                                                                                                                                    for learnireel are great
                                                                                                                                                              ng how

                                                                                                                      2. YOCHUROOBASEIT
                                                                                                                                                                       to fish.

                                                                                                                                                                                            TROUT

     YOUTH
                                                                                                                                                                                           » Powe
                                                                                                                                                                                                  rbait
                                                                                                                                                                                          » Flies          » Salmo

                                                                                               don’t know where
                                                                                                                                                                                          » Lures                  n eggs
                                                                                                                                                                                                          » Jigs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               CATFISH
                                                                                                                                                                                                          » Worm
                                                                                                                                                                                                                 s                                   BASS
                                                                                                                                                   Different                                                                   » Stinkb
                                                                                                                                                  have differspecies of fish                                                   » Worm ait            » Jigs

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         » YELLOW PERCH AT RIFLE GAP... A
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      s                                      SUNFISH
                                                                                                                                                               ent appet                                                                             » Worm                             & CRAP
                                                                                                                                                                          ites.                                                                             s                 » Jigs           PIE
                                                                                                                                                 Choose
                                                                                                                                                 on what your bait based

     » Resident and nonresident younger
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             » Worm
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     s

                                                                                               to start? Check out
                                                                                                                                                in the lakekind of fish are                                                                                                  » Salmo
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     n eggs
                                                                                                                                               are trying and what you
                                                                                                                                              at the list to catch. Look
                                                                                                                                             brochure of waters in

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         bag and possession limit of 20 has been
                                                                                                                                                         for any        this
                                                                                                                                             al bait restric      addition-

                                                                                                                    3. GEGEARTYOONUR
                                                                                                                                                             tions.

     than age 16 (second-rod charge still applies).........FREE                                our five steps to
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         placed on yellow perch at Rifle Gap
                                                                                                                                    You need
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Swivels
                                                                                                                                   items to just a few basic                                                                                  keep

                                                                                               get started! See
                                                                                                                                   The fun get started fishin
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     your line
                                                                                                                                           part              g.                                                                     from
                                                                                                                                  your gear is adding                                                                                                                  These help
                                                                                                                                                          to                                                                       twisting.                                        you
                                                                                                                                  progress! collection as                                                                                                              dislodg

                                                                                                                   4. YOKNUROWKNOT
                                                                                                                                                          you                                                                                                                  e hooks
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      and grip
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                line

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         Reservoir. New limits will help effectively
                                                                                                                                                                            » Fishin                                                                                  while tying
                                                                                                                                                                                    g line,
                                                                                                                                                                             4- to 8-lb.            » Bobb                                                           knots.
                                                                                                                                                                                         test             ers

     RESIDENTS & NONRESIDENTS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  » Hook

                                                                                               page 2.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                         s,
                                                                                                                                                                              There are                            #8 or #10      » Swive
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         ls,    » Sinke
                                                                                                                                                                             The Improlots of fishing                              #10

                                                                                                                                                                                                                            5. YOPICURK SPOT
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       rs,
                                                                                                                                                                                                      knots.                                     1/8 oz.        » Hemo
                                                                                                                                                                             a good, ved Clinch Knot                                                                   stats
                                                                                                                                                                                     basic knot          is                                                      or needl

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         manage the perch population and protect
                                                                                                                                                                            started.            to get you                                                               e-nose
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                pliers
                                                                                                                                     » Threa
                                                                                                                                            d                                         PUTTING

     » Second-rod stamp..................................................... $5
                                                                                                                                    the hook.the line throu
                                                                                                                                              Double        gh eye                    TOGETHERIT
                                                                                                                                   five or             back and of                             :
                                                                                                                                           more turns                                Clinch
                                                                                                                                                      around make                            knot                                      Where
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              shoul
                                                                                                                                                              the line.                                                                your perfec d you go?
                                                                                                                                                                                          Swivel

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         the species from overfishing. See page 29.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               You
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      the Colora t fishing hole can find
                                                                                                                                                                                          Sinker                                                 do Fishin      by
                                                                                                                                  » Bring
                                                                                                                                           the end                              Snelled                                                                   g Atlas. using
                                                                                                                                 the first         of line back
                                                                                                                                 eye. Thenloop formed behin through           and hookline

       One second-rod stamp per year is available
                                                                                                                                             go throu                          combo
                                                                                                                                                      gh the d the
                                                                                                                                                               big loop.
                                                                                                                                                                          or... use
                                                                                                                               » Wet knot                                           clinch

                                                                                             » POUDRE
                                                                                                                              to tighte and pull the                         knots to
                                                                                                                        2               n down             tag end        line to       tie
                                                                                                                             tight again          the                             swivel
                                                                                                                                           st the eye, coils. Slide it   and the
                                                                                                                                                                                   hook
                                                                                                                                                       clip exces         to

       to anyone who has purchased a fishing
                                                                                                                                                                   s. end the other
                                                                                                                                                                            of the line.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                 cpw.sta

                                                                                                PONDS... This
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        te.co.us

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     » KOKANEE TRAPS AT WOLFORD MOUN-
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                /fish/fish
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          ingatla
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 s

       license and any youth under 16. (See page 5)
                                                                                               70-acre gravel quarry in Weld                                                                                                                                                                            TAIN RESERVOIR... There is a 150-foot
     » One-day fishing.......................................................... $9            County has been open to fishing since                                                                                                                                                                     public-access closure around the kokanee
     » Additional-day fishing.............................................. $5                 2011. The bass population is growing and                                                                                                                                                                  salmon traps and nets at all times, wher-
       Customers buying a one-day or additional-day                                            new regulations are in place. See page 26.                                                                                                                                                                ever portable traps are set. See page 34.
       license are exempt from the Habitat Stamp fee
       with the first two of these licenses. The habitat
                                                                                                    HABITAT STAMP INFORMATION
                                                                                             »

       fee will be assessed when a third license of this
       type is purchased.
                                                                                             1. Anyone 18-64 MUST purchase a stamp                                                                                                                                                                   3. EXEMPTIONS: Anyone
     Prices include 25-cent search-and-rescue fee and 75-cent                                in order to buy or apply for a hunting or                                                                                                                                                               with a free lifetime fishing
     surcharge for the Wildlife Management Education Fund.                                   fishing license (including preference points).                                                                                                                                                          license, a veteran’s lifetime
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     combination small-game hunting and fish-
                                                                                             2. Stamps are $10 and are nonrefundable.                                                                                                                                                                ing license, or those approved for the Big-
WHAT YOU NEED TO BUY A LICENSE                                                               Only one is required per person per year,                                                                                                                                                               Game Mobility Impaired Hunting Program
1.   Current and valid photo ID                                                              valid April 1-March 31. A lifetime stamp is                                                                                                                                                             are exempt. See cpw.state.co.us/fish/access-
2.   For residents, proof of residency (see page 5)                                          $300.25.                                                                                                                                                                                                ibility for details about those programs.
3.   Habitat Stamp (see at right)
4.   A Social Security Number is required for new custom-
                                                                                                    ON THE COVER
                                                                                             »

     ers ages 16 and older (age 12 for a second-rod stamp)
     Licenses are nontransferable. False statements made                                     MAIN: A veteran walks to a fishing hole
     while buying a license render it void. Lost or destroyed                                with his daughter. Last June, wounded
     licenses can be replaced by filling out an affidavit and                                and disabled veterans gathered to fish for
     paying a fee. See “License Requirements” on page 5.                                     bass and walleye with Freedom Hunters
                                                                                             and other organizations. Freedom Hunters
                                                                                             supports troops by taking select active
SEASON DATES                                                                                 duty and combat veterans on outdoor
     Colorado waters are open to taking fish, amphibians                                     adventures. © Timothy Miller.
     and crustaceans day and night, year round, except if
     otherwise stated in the regulation section of this bro-                                 INSET PHOTOS, LEFT TO RIGHT:
     chure. See pages 10-35.                                                                 1. Landing a monster trout.
                                                                                               © Santino Castellanos.
                                                                                             2. Banked bluegills. ©Wayne Lewis, CPW.
FREE FISHING DAYS                                                                            3. Fly fishing near Deckers.
     Residents and nonresidents can fish without a license                                     ©Wayne Lewis, CPW.
     or Habitat Stamp on June 6-7, 2015. All other rules and                                 4. Evan Pohl shows off his Mesa Lakes
     regulations apply.                                                                        catch. Photo for CPW.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
]
        ]                  HOW TO GET STARTED FISHING
                »          GEAR, KNOTS, TIPS FOR BEGINNERS OF ALL AGES
REFERENCE

                    Fishing is a great lifetime activity and a fun way for families to spend time together outdoors.
            Getting started isn’t complicated. Follow our basic equipment guide and you’ll be hooked before you know it!

            1.    PICK YOUR
                  ROD & REEL
                   A closed-face spincast
                   rod and reel are great
                   for learning how to fish.
                                                        TROUT

            2.
                                                        » Powerbait          » Salmon eggs    CATFISH              BASS                       SUNFISH & CRAPPIE

                    CHOOSE                              » Flies
                                                        » Lures
                                                                             » Jigs
                                                                             » Worms           » Stinkbait
                                                                                               » Worms
                                                                                                                     » Jigs
                                                                                                                     » Worms
                                                                                                                                                » Jigs
                                                                                                                                                » Worms

                    YOUR BAIT                                                                                                                   » Salmon eggs

                      Different species of fish
                      have different appetites.

                      Choose your bait based
                      on what kind of fish are
                      in the lake and what you
                      are trying to catch. Look
                      at the list of waters in this
                      brochure for any addition-
                      al bait restrictions.

            3.      GET YOUR
                                                                                                               Swivels keep                       These help you
                                                                                                               your line                          dislodge hooks

                    GEAR ON
                                                                                                               from                               and grip line
                                                                                                               twisting.                          while tying
                                                                                                                                                  knots.
                      You need just a few basic
                      items to get started fishing.
                      The fun part is adding to
                      your gear collection as you
                                                        » Fishing line,           » Bobbers    » Hooks,          » Swivels,      » Sinkers,    » Hemostats
                      progress!
                                                          4- to 8-lb. test                       #8 or #10         #10             1/8 oz.       or needle-nose pliers

            4.      KNOW
                    YOUR KNOT
                                                           There are lots of fishing knots.
                                                           The Improved Clinch Knot is
                                                           a good, basic knot to get you
                                                           started.

                                                                        PUTTING IT
                                                                                                             5.          PICK
                                                                                                                         YOUR SPOT
                                                                                                                              Where should you go? You can find
                                                                                                                              your perfect fishing hole by using
                                                                        TOGETHER:
                                                                                                                              the Colorado Fishing Atlas.
                             » Thread the line through eye of           Clinch knot
                             the hook. Double back and make
                                                                                Swivel
                             five or more turns around the line.
                                                                                Sinker
                                                                        Snelled line
                                                                       and hook
                             » Bring the end of line back through       combo
                             the first loop formed behind the
                             eye. Then go through the big loop.      or... use clinch
                                                                         knots to tie
                                                                      line to swivel
                             » Wet knot and pull the tag end         and the hook
                             to tighten down the coils. Slide it        to the other
                             tight against the eye, clip excess.    end of the line.                         cpw.state.co.us/fish/fishingatlas
       2
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
REFERENCE                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2015 Colorado Fishing

         STATEWIDE BAG AND POSSESSION LIMITS
»

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      REFERENCE
READING THE LIMITS CHART                           There, you will need a CPW fishing license
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     STATEWIDE LIMITS

                                                                                                     »
Statewide limits for species are listed in         but restrictions will be specific to the park.
the chart to the right. Species not on this        Before you plan your trip, check regulations
chart have no bag or possession limits or          online at: www.nps.gov/romo/planyourvisit/
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Type                        Daily mit Possession
are restricted or illegal to take. See “Special    fishing.htm.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                               of fish                    bag li     limit
Conditions and Restrictions,” page 6.
   Some waters have more restrictive limits                                                                                                                                                                        TROUT, ARCTIC CHAR,
than what is listed on the chart. See “Special
                                                   DAILY BAG LIMIT                                                                                                                                                 GRAYLING, SALMON
                                                   Maximum number of fish you can take in                                                                                                                                                                      4            8
Regulations for Fishing Waters,” page 10, for      a day, regardless of what you do with them                                                                                                                      (except kokanee)
the area you plan to fish to learn more about      that day.                                                                                                                                                       in aggregate*
specific waters. If a water is not on the list       » Fish caught and placed on a stringer, in
or no bag limit is specified, these statewide                                                                                                                                                                      Trout include brook, brown, cutbow,

                                                                                                      SEE “SPECIAL REGULATIONS FOR FISHING WATERS” SECTION FOR WATERS WITH MORE RESTRICTIVE LIMITS. PAGES 10-35.
                                                        a container or live well, or not returned                                                                                                                  cutthroat, golden, lake, rainbow, splake and tiger trout
limits apply.                                           to the same water immediately count in
                                                        your daily bag or possession limit.                                                                                                                        BROOK TROUT
FISHING IN STATE PARKS                               » Fish released immediately are not part of                                                                                                                   8 inches long or less                      10            10
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   (in addition to trout limit above)
AND NATIONAL PARKS                                      the limit.
Fishing is available at 38 of Colorado’s 42                                                                                                                                                                        KOKANEE SALMON
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              10            10
state parks. If you plan a fishing trip to these   POSSESSION LIMIT                                                                                                                                                angling, snagging or archery
waters, check the CPW Park Finder for any          Maximum number of fish allowed at any                                                                                                                           WALLEYE, SAUGEYE,
additional entrance fees and restrictions that     time, including in the field, transporting, at                                                                                                                  SAUGER                                      5            5
may apply where you’re going: cpw.state.           home or in storage. Transporting live fish
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   Statewide, in aggregate*
co.us/fish/parkfinder.                             without proper permits is prohibited.
   National parks also offer fishing opportu-        » Fish taken and later smoked, canned,                                                                                                                        On Arkansas and South Fork of
nities around the state, but may have differ-           frozen or preserved for consumption                                                                                                                        Republican River drainages, in             10            10
ent bag limits and regulations. One example             are part of the posses­sion limit until                                                                                                                    aggregate*
of this is at Rocky Mountain National Park.             consumed.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   BASS: LARGEMOUTH,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   SMALLMOUTH, SPOTTED                         5            5
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in aggregate*

MAP: WIPER/WHITE BASS AND WALLEYE/SAUGEYE BAG LIMITS                                                                                                                                                               BASS:
The map below outlines the general areas of the Arkansas and South Republican River drain-                                                                                                                         WHITE, STRIPED, WIPER                      10            10
ages (green) and the South Platte and North Republican drainages (yellow). If you are fishing                                                                                                                      Statewide, in aggregate*
for wiper, white bass, walleye or saugeye in these areas, the daily bag and possession limits                                                                                                                      On Arkansas and South Fork
are different for the two areas on the map. See the “Statewide Limits” chart at right for details.                                                                                                                 of Republican River drainages,             20            20
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in aggregate*

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   CATFISH:
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   CHANNEL, FLATHEAD, BLUE                    10            10
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in aggregate*
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   CRAPPIE: WHITE, BLACK
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              20            20
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in aggregate*
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   BLUEGILL, HYBRID BLUEGILL,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   GREEN SUNFISH,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   REDEAR SUNFISH,                            20            20
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   PUMPKINSEED SUNFISH
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in aggregate*
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   YELLOW PERCH
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           unlimited    unlimited
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   West of Continental Divide
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   East of Continental Divide                 20            20

                                                                                                                                                                                                                   TIGER MUSKIE
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                               1            1
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   at least 36 inches long
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   NORTHERN PIKE, WHITEFISH,
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             unlimited                  unlimited
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   BULLHEAD
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   SPECKLED DACE, SCULPIN
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   West of Continental Divide                 20            20
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   in aggregate*
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   East of Continental Divide              unlimited    unlimited
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   CRAYFISH (crawdads),
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           unlimited    unlimited
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   BULLFROGS
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   AQUATIC TIGER
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   SALAMANDER LARVAE                          50            50
                                                                                                                                                                                                                   (gilled and less than 5 inches long)
                                                                                                     * in aggregate means the limit may consist of one species or a
                                                                                                     mixed bag of more than one species.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      3
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
2015 Colorado Fishing                                                                                                                                                                            REFERENCE

                                  STATE RECORDS BY WEIGHT
       »
REFERENCE

                                                                                                                                                       STATE RECORDS PROGRAM

                                                                                                                                                     »
                                                                         LOCATION                       WEIGHT        LENGTH
                                     SPECIES            YEAR                                                                         ANGLER
                                                                          and county                    lbs. - ozs.   in inches
                                                                                                                                                     Colorado’s original fishing record program,
                              Rainbow                   2003   Morrow Point Res., Gunnison                19-10          34       Lee Cox            records by weight are tracked in 45 different
                              Brook                     1947   Upper Cataract Lake, Summit                7-10          n/a       George Knorr       species.
                                                                                                                                                        Potential record holders must have a valid
                              Brown                     1988   Roaring Judy Ponds, Gunnison               30-8          36.4      Alan Schneider     Colorado fishing license or be younger than
                              Cutthroat (Native)        1964   Twin Lakes, Lake                           16-0          n/a       George Hranchak    16.
                                                                                                                                                        The fish must be weighed on a state-certi-
                              Cutthroat (Snake River)   2005   Blue River, Summit                        17-2.6          33       Rob Peckham        fied scale and a weight receipt must be signed
                                                                                                                                                     by a person who witnessed the weighing. The
            TROUT

                              Lake Trout (Mackinaw)     2007   Blue Mesa Res., Gunnison                  50-3.5        44.25      Donald Walker
                                                                                                                                                     fish, not frozen, gutted or altered in any way,
                              Splake                    1976   Island Lake, Delta                         18-15          32       Robin Perkins      must be examined and identified by a CPW
                                                                                                                                                     biologist or wildlife manager, who will submit
                              Tiger                     2005   Private pond, Park                         4-15          21.5      Gene Hacker
                                                                                                                                                     an application to the Sportfish Program Man-
                              Golden                    1979   Kelly Lake, Jackson                        3-12          22.5      Donald O’Leary     ager in Denver.
                                                                                                                                                        Records for the longest and heaviest fish
                              Grayling                  2002   Lower Big Creek Lake, Jackson              1-10         17.25      Derik Drinnen      caught can change any time. Current statistics
                              Arctic Char               1994   Dillon Res., Summit                        3-12          20.5      Marshall Brenner   can be found on the CPW website at
                                                                                                                                                     cpw.state.co.us/fish/records.
                              Cutbow                    2007   Antero Res., Park                          18-8          28.5      Frank Stack           An award program is also offered for
                              Whitefish                 1982   Roaring Fork River, Eagle                   5-2         18.75      Richard Sals       catch-and-release anglers. Go to:
                                                                                                                                                     cpw.state.co.us/fish/lengthrecords.
                              Chinook                   1989   Williams Fork Res., Grand                  11-0          28.5      Helen Eaton
            SALMON

                              Kokanee (angling)         1986   Spinney Mountain Res., Park                6-13          27.5      Will Arduino
                                                                                                                                                       MEASURE YOUR CATCH

                                                                                                                                                     »
                              Kokanee (snagging)        2002   Blue Mesa Res., Gunnison                    7-5           27       Lee Cox
                              Channel                   2010   Aurora Res., Arapahoe                      43-6          40.5      Jessica Walton     Measure your fish from the tip of the snout to
                                                                                                                                                     the end of the tail. You may squeeze the tail-
            CATFISH

                              Black Bullhead            1993   Farm pond, Delta                            5-1           23       Uldene Kuretich
                                                                                                                                                     fin together as shown in the bass (illustrated
                              Blue                      1976   Private lake, Lincoln                      20-1         32.75      Joe Poss           in the first picture below) to obtain a maxi-
                                                                                                                                                     mum length or you may tilt the tail down
                              Flathead                  2011   Pueblo Res., Pueblo                        15-6         32.25      David Parker       (as seen in the lake trout at bottom).
                              Tench                     1998   Home Lake, Rio Grande                       5-6           20       Craig Curtis
                              Northern                  2006   Stagecoach Res., Routt                     30-11         46.5      Tim Bone
            PIKE

                              Tiger Muskie              1994   Quincy Res., Arapahoe                      40-2           53       Jason Potter
                              Walleye                   1997   Standley Lake, Jefferson                   18-13          34       Scott Regan
                              Sacramento                1974   Banner Lakes, Weld                         1-14         13.25      Dana Wilfong
            PERCH

                              Yellow                    2007   Seaman Res., Larimer                        2-9         13.63      Justin Allbrandt
                              Sauger                    2011   Horseshoe Res., Heurfano                    3-6          21.5      Jeff Riddle
                              Saugeye                   2001   John Martin Res., Bent                     10-14         28.5      Rocklyn Beise
                              Smallmouth                2011   Aurora Res., Arapahoe                      6-11          21.5      Raymond Ong
                              Largemouth                1997   Echo Canyon Res., Archuleta                11-6          22.5      Jarrett Edwards
                              White                     1963   Blue Lake, Bent/Kiowa                       4-7           18       Pedro Martinez
            BASS

                              Striped                   2009   C.F.&I. Res. No. 2, Pueblo                 15-11        34.25      Manuel Aguilar
                              Rock                                                                                                                    AWARD-QUALIFYING LENGTHS
                                                                                                                                                     »

                                                        1979   Ramah Res., El Paso                       1-1.25         10.6      Timothy Fisk
                              Wiper                     2004   Pueblo Res., Pueblo                        26-15         37.5      Kevin Treanor       FOR CATCH & RELEASE
                              Spotted                   2005   Valco Ponds, Pueblo                      4-7.875        17.75      Michael Hardin     Species                   length        Species                    length
                                                        2001   Gravel pit, Larimer                         1-5          11.6      Joshua Robinson                             (inches)                                 (inches)
                              Green                                                                                                                  Arctic char.................... 18      Lake trout..................... 32
                                                        & 1997 Big Thompson Pond, Weld                     1-5          11.2      Justin Evans
            SUNFISH

                                                                                                                                                     Black bullhead............ 14           Largemouth bass...... 18
                              NEW! Redear               2015   Stalker Lake, Yuma                        6.8 oz.        7.25      Jason Edmonds      Blue catfish.................. 30       Northern pike............. 36
                              Hybrid                    1986   Gravel pit, Larimer                        1-8.5        10.75      Jeff Robinson      Bluegill.......................... 10   Pumpkinseed.............. 8
                                                                                                                                                     Brook trout................... 16       Rainbow trout............ 24
                              Bluegill                  2014   Comanche Power Plant (private), Pueblo      2-5          11.5      Robert Castro
                                                                                                                                                     Brown trout................. 22         Redear sunfish............ 12
                              White                                                                                               Daryel Thompson    Channel catfish.......... 30            Saugeye........................ 26
             CRAPPIE

                                                        1975   Northglenn Lake, Adams                    4-3.75          17
                                                                                                                                                     Common carp............. 30             Smallmouth bass....... 17
                              Black                     1990   Private pond, La Plata                      3-4           17       Clint Couch
                                                                                                                                                     Crappie.......................... 15    Splake............................ 20
                              Grass Carp                2013   Cottonwood Park Lake, Jefferson            57-13          47       Brian Husmann
             CARP & SUCKERS

                                                                                                                                                     Cutbow trout.............. 22           Striped bass................. 28
                              Common                    2001   Glenmere Park, Weld                        35-5         38.75      Adam Wickam        Cutthroat trout........... 20           Tiger muskie................ 40
                                                                                                                                                     Golden trout............... 16          Walleye.......................... 26
                              Drum                      1978   Lonetree Res., Larimer                     17-3           32       Faye Lancamp
                                                                                                                                                     Grass carp..................... 30      White bass.................... 17
                              Sucker                    2011   Aurora Res., Arapahoe                     5-6.65        23.375     Jay Grupp          Grayling........................ 15     Wiper.............................. 25
                                                                                                                                                     Kokanee........................ 20      Yellow perch................ 12
                              American Eel              1996   Flagler Res., Kit Carson                    3-1           35       n/a
       4
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
REFERENCE                                                                                                                                                        2015 Colorado Fishing

                                                                                            !
              PROTECT YOUR FISHERIES AGAINST ILLEGAL STOCKING
»

                                                                                                                                                                                            REFERENCE
                                                Illegally moving fish from one river                                                         for anglers like you.
                                                or lake to another can wipe out                        REPORT IT!                            • Illegally moving fish from one
                                                fisheries, take away fishing oppor-                    If you have information               water to another can spread
                                                tunities and waste angler dollars.                     about illegal stocking                disease. Some of these, such as
                                                Anyone caught moving fish illegally                    activity, contact                     whirling disease, can cost mil-
                                                may be fined up to $5,000, can lose                    OPERATION GAME THIEF.                 lions of dollars to combat.
                                                hunting and fishing privileges and                     You can remain
                                                may be held liable for the costs of                    anonymous and may                     WHAT YOU CAN DO
                                                eradication or removal. CPW of-                        be eligible for a reward.             • Do not move fish from one body
                                                ficials are taking additional steps to           game.thief@state.co.us                      of water to another. Collection
                                                combat this destructive activity.                 or call 1-877-265-6648                     and transportation of wild-caught
                                                WHY ILLEGAL STOCKING                                                                         live bait is restricted in most of the
                                                                                                                                             state. Know these rules and follow
                                                IS A PROBLEM                                    the system and lessen the quality
                                                                                                                                             them if you use live bait.
                                                   • Biologists have stopped stock-             of fishing overall.                          • On waters that have no bag
                                                   ing fish in some lakes because               • Once an illegally stocked fish             and possession limits on certain
                                                   illegally introduced fish eat most           population has become estab-                 species, you are encouraged to
                                                   or all of the stocked fish. This             lished, the only recourse is to start        keep those fish. “No-bag” limits
                                                   wastes your license dollars.                 over by treating the lake to kill            are often established to aid in the
                                      © CPW        • Illegally stocked fish compete for         ALL the fish. Treatments can cost            management of species that were
  Stocking waters with fish, unwanted              food and space with the fish that            millions of dollars. It also requires        illegally stocked or are not desired.
  aquatic pets or other species is illegal         belong in lakes and streams. This            money that could be spent on                 • Report illegal stocking activity
  and can damage a water system.                   can change the whole ecology of              improving fishing opportunities              to Operation Game Thief.

          LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
»

1. ADULTS — People 16 and older are required to buy            state can fish free without a license while here on tempo-    6. If you have a home in Colorado and another state,
and carry with them a fishing license to fish or take fish,    rary leave, maximum of 30 days a year. You must carry            call (303) 297-1192 to make sure you comply with
amphibians and crustaceans, except as prohibited.              official leave papers while fishing.                             Colorado residency requirements before obtaining a
                                                                                                                                hunting or fishing license.
2. YOUTH — Those under 16 can take a full bag and                                                                            7. Except as in No. 3 and No. 4 above, you lose your
possession limit without a license. However, they must         RESIDENCY QUALIFICATIONS                                         Colorado residency if you apply for, buy or accept
have a second-rod stamp if fishing with a second line.         These are the requirements to qualify as a Colorado              a hunting or fishing license as a resident of another
                                                               resident to buy a fishing or hunting license:                    state or country; register to vote outside Colorado or
3. SENIORS — Colorado residents 64 and older can
obtain an annual fishing license from a CPW location           1. You must live in Colorado at least six consecutive            get a driver’s license using an address in another state.
or license agent for $1, which is the 25-cent search and          months immediately before applying for or buying
rescue fee and 75-cent Wildlife Management Education              a license, and must intend to make Colorado home           DISABILITY LICENSES
Fund surcharge. License must be carried while fishing.            (except No. 3 and No. 4 below). The residence ad-          You can obtain applications for disabled licenses on the
   a. Free lifetime low-income fishing licenses also              dress you give to buy or apply for a license must be       CPW website or at CPW locations. Send them to 6060
   are available for Colorado residents 64 or older. For          the same as on your Colorado income tax return.            Broadway, Denver, CO, 80216. Licenses are valid only
   information and eligibility requirements, contact any          Licenses are valid only during Colorado residency.         during Colorado residency.
   CPW location.                                               2. A valid Colorado driver’s license or secure and verifi-
                                                                                                                             Those eligible for free licenses are:
                                                                  able ID is proof of residency if it was issued at least
4. SECOND-ROD STAMP — Anglers can use a second                    six months prior to buying a fishing license. If your      1. U.S. armed forces members, active or retired, who
rod, hand line or tip-up by purchasing a second-rod               ID or driver’s license was issued or renewed less than     are resident patients of a U.S. armed forces hospital or
stamp. One stamp is allowed per season and is nontrans-           six months prior to purchasing a fishing license, you      convalescent facility in Colorado.
ferable. A second-rod stamp does not entitle an angler            must provide documentation that proves you have            2. Resident patients of a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital
to an additional bag limit nor can it be used for another         been a resident for the required six-month period.         or state mental institution or mental health institution.
person to fish.                                                   (cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/
   a. Those with disability licenses must purchase a                                                                         3. Colorado residents who are totally and permanently
                                                                  Brochure/SecureAndVerifiableIdentity.pdf)
   stamp if fishing with a second line.                                                                                      disabled must provide either:
                                                               3. U.S. military personnel and military personnel of
   b. A second-rod stamp is not required when only                                                                              a. Documented proof that shows an entitlement date
                                                                  U.S. allies on active duty in Colorado under per-
   using trotlines or jugs.                                                                                                        for Social Security disability benefits that began
                                                                  manent orders and their dependents. This includes
   c. Youths under 16 must have and carry with them a                                                                              seven years ago or longer.
                                                                  people who were Colorado residents when they en-
   second-rod stamp if fishing with a second line.                tered the military and keep Colorado as their home            b. Or, a physician’s statement attesting that the ap-
                                                                  of record, and their dependents (with Colorado as                plicant is “totally and permanently disabled.” All
5. COMMERCIAL LICENSE — $40; required to                                                                                           four words need to be stated on the letter from the
take or possess bait fish, amphibians or crustaceans for          their home of record). Also included are personnel
                                                                  of the U.S. Diplomatic Service or diplomatic services            physician on the physician’s letterhead.
commercial purposes. Applications are available at CPW
                                                                  of nations recognized by the U.S. assigned here on            c. Or, a Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation
locations. License holders must submit an annual report
                                                                  permanent active duty orders and their dependents.               Final Admission of Liability form indicating total
to CPW within 30 days of the license expiration date.
                                                                  Active duty does not include reserve status, National            and permanent disability.
Holders are required to provide live-fish buyers with a
receipt stating the seller’s name, date of sale, species and      Guard or government contractors.                           4. Colorado residents who are disabled veterans or
number sold.                                                   4. Full-time students enrolled and attending an accredit-     Purple Heart recipients can obtain a Lifetime Fishing/
                                                                  ed Colorado college, university or trade school at least   Small Game VA Combo License. To qualify, the follow-
6. CHILD SUPPORT DELINQUENCY — State law                          six months immediately before applying for or buying       ing documentation must be provided:
requires a Social Security number to buy a license. It is         a license. This includes students who are temporar-           a. Proof of a service-connected disability of 60 percent
provided, if requested, to Child Support Enforcement              ily absent from Colorado but still enrolled. Colorado         or more, as rated by the VA. An eligibility letter can
authorities. Licenses are not issued to those suspended for       residents who attend school full time, out of state and       be obtained from the VA by calling 1-800-827-1000.
noncompliance with child support. Current licenses are in-        pay nonresident tuition qualify for a resident license.
valid if held by a person noncompliant with child support.
                                                                                                                                b. Proof of hunter education if born on or after Jan.
                                                               5. Children under 18 have the same residency status              1, 1949.
7. ARMED FORCES EXEMPTION — Colorado                              as their parent, legal guardian or person with whom           c. Purple Heart recipients who can provide document-
residents on active duty with U.S. armed forces out of            they live most of the time per court order.                   ed proof are also eligible for a VA Combo License.
                                                                                                                                                                                            5
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
2015 Colorado Fishing                                                                                                                                          REFERENCE

                      SPECIAL CONDITIONS AND RESTRICTIONS
      »
REFERENCE

            1. CATCH AND RELEASE — Any fish released upon
            catch must be released alive and into the same              THREATENED, ENDANGERED AND NONGAME SPECIES
            body of water from which it was taken.                      If caught, these species must be returned to the water immediately. Except, taking greenback cutthroat
            2. PROHIBITED FISHING METHODS INCLUDE —                     trout is permitted in specific waters and with restrictions as listed in this brochure.
            Chumming, using toxicants or poisons, stupefying            IT IS ILLEGAL TO TAKE OR USE THE FOLLOWING: Arkansas darter, bluehead sucker, bonytail chub,
            substances, electrofishing.                                 boreal toad, brassy minnow, Colorado pikeminnow, common shiner, flannelmouth sucker, flathead
            3. PROHIBITED SPECIES — These species and their             chub, greenback cutthroat trout, humpback chub, Iowa darter, lake chub, mollusks, mountain sucker,
            viable eggs are detrimental to other fish and habitat       northern leopard frog, northern redbelly dace, plains leopard frog, plains minnow, plains topmin-
            in Colorado. Unless authorized in writing by CPW            now, plains orangethroat darter, razorback sucker, Rio Grande chub, Rio Grande sucker, river shiner,
            for controlled and experimental purposes, it is             roundtail chub, southern redbelly dace, stonecat, suckermouth minnow, and wood frog.
            illegal to export, import, transport, stock, sell, or
            release: burbot, piranha, trahira, gar (all species),          Gilpin, Elbert, Jefferson and Park counties, and       shipped by common carrier must be accompanied
            snakeheads or murrels, stickleback, walking catfish,           all public standing waters in Rio Grande, Sagua-       by license or photocopy of license and donation
            tilapia, bowfin, rudd, zebra mussels, quagga mus-              che, Conejos, Costilla, Alamosa, Mineral and           certificate, if needed.
            sels, New Zealand mudsnail, Eurasian ruffe, white              Hinsdale counties in the Rio Grande drainage.          9. ILLEGAL TAKE AND TRANSFER OF FISH — Only
            perch, rusty crayfish, carp (silver, catla, Indian,            This does not apply to fish handled or produced        people designated by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
            bighead, giant barb, mrigal, largescale sliver, rohu,          at commercially licensed aquaculture facilities.       Service may take fish, amphibians, mollusks or
            black and mahseers), Asian swamp eel, green frog           g. BULLFROGS AND SALAMANDERS — Bullfrogs                   crustaceans within the boundaries of any Federal
            and gobies, fish hook fleas and spiny water fleas.             and the aquatic gilled form of the tiger salaman-      fish hatchery or rearing unit.
                Any person who takes fish species listed above             der for private and commercial use are permit-         a. Molesting, disturbing or damaging gill nets,
            may possess them in unlimited number for                       ted. Statewide bag limits apply. Bullfrogs can be         traps or seines set by CPW is prohibited.
            personal use, as long as the fish are killed prior to          taken by fishing, archery, hand, gigs and nets.
                                                                           Artificial light is allowed. Salamander larvae can     10. EMERGENCY CLOSURE OF FISHING
            transporting from the point where they were taken.
                                                                           be taken by fishing, hand, traps, seines or nets.      WATERS — Emergency closure of waters may be
            4. USE AND COLLECTION OF BAIT FISH —                       h. CRUSTACEANS — Take methods include by                   authorized for up to nine months when environ-
            a. Except as otherwise noted in this brochure, in              hand, baited lines, traps, pots, nets or seines for    mental conditions in these waters warrant and
                waters east of the Continental Divide and below            food or bait. Taking crustaceans, crayfish, with       fishing could result in unacceptable levels of fish
                7,000 feet elevation, live fish collected for use as       a commercial fishing license is allowed with the       mortality. Public notice will be given if waters are
                bait may only be used in the same body of water            following restrictions: The minimum size is 3          closed and notice will be posted at the site. Closures
                from which they were collected. In addition,               inches for commercial food (measured from the          may occur when any of these criteria are met:
                collection and use is allowed in any man-made              tip of the acumen (bony spike between the eye)            a. Daily max. water temperatures exceed 74º F,
                ditches and canals within one-half of a mile               to the telson (last bony plate in the tail)); cray-       or the daily average temperature exceeds 72º F.
                of the adjoining lake or reservoir. Use of any             fish with eggs attached must be returned to the           b. Measured stream flows are 25 percent or less
                baitfish collected in those ditches and canals is          water immediately; all set pots and traps must            of the historical average low flow for the period.
                restricted to only the water from which it was                                                                       c. Fungus and other visible signs of deterioration
                                                                           be labeled with the licensee’s name, address and
                collected and the adjoining lake or reservoir.             license number.                                           may be present.
                Baitfish collected under this provision may not                                                                      d. Daily minimum dissolved oxygen levels are
                                                                               In all waters west of the Continental Divide all      below five parts per million (ppm).
                be otherwise transported or stored for later use.          crayfish must be returned to the water of origin
            b. The collection, use or possession of live fish for                                                                    e. When environmental events such as wildfires,
                                                                           immediately or killed by separating the abdomen           mudslides, oil spills or similar events have oc-
                use as bait is prohibited in all waters east of the        from the cephalothorax (tail from body) and
                Continental Divide above 7,000 feet elevation                                                                        curred, resulting in the need for recovery time
                                                                           taken into possession immediately upon catch.             or remedial action for a fish population.
                and all waters west of the Continental Divide,         i. MOLLUSKS — Taking mollusks for personal or
                except in Navajo Reservoir; collection, use or             commercial use as bait is prohibited.                  11. PROTECTED WATERS — Fishing may be pro-
                possession of live fish for bait is also prohib-                                                                  hibited as posted to protect: threatened or endan-
                ited in the Arkansas River above Parkdale (in          5. ICE FISHING — The following rules apply to
                                                                       waters open for ice fishing:                               gered species, spawning areas, waters used in CPW
                Fremont and Chaffee counties) and in Watson                                                                       research projects, newly acquired access to fishing
                Lake in Larimer County.                                   a. Ice-fishing holes cannot exceed 10 inches in
                                                                          diameter, or 10 inches on any side.                     waters, and the integrity of aquatic wildlife.
            c. In Bent, Crowley, Kiowa, Otero and Prowers
                counties, live fish collected for personal use as         b. All fires on the ice must be enclosed in a           12. EMERGENCY PUBLIC SALVAGE — If substantial
                bait may be transported, stored or used any-              container.                                              numbers of fish are in imminent danger of being
                where within these counties. Transportation to,           c. No litter allowed on the ice.                        lost, CPW can allow licensed anglers to take fish
                or use of, any such baitfish in any other county          d. Portable ice-fishing shelters (where permit-         during daylight hours. Public notice will be given
                is prohibited.                                            ted) must be removed at the end of the day.             and notice will be posted at the site regarding the
            d. The only fish allowed to be taken for commer-              e. Permanent ice-fishing shelters (where per-           catch limit and approved fishing methods.
                cial use are minnows, gizzard shad, white and             mitted) must display the name and CID number            13. FISHING CONTESTS — Fishing contests cannot
                longnose suckers and carp. All live baitfish from         of the owner or user on the outside of the shelter      be advertised, promoted or conducted without
                a commercial source and transported by anglers            facing the shore. Writing must be in legible,           CPW approval if the purpose is to take marked or
                must at all times be accompanied by a receipt             contrasting color letters at least 2 inches high.       tagged fish released in waters open to public fishing.
                from the source. It is illegal to import any           6. RELEASING TAGGED FISH — It is illegal to re­               Applications and a $40 nonrefundable fee must
                live native or non-native aquatic wildlife into        lease tagged or marked fish, except for approved           be made 60 days before the contest. Written ap-
                Colorado without authorization from CPW or             contests, into public waters. Tagged or marked             proval must be obtained from landowners or agen-
                as stated in regulations.                              fish can be released in public waters for scientific       cies before applying. Contests are not permitted on
            e. The only species allowed to be taken and used           research with written application and approval by          streams, rivers, other flowing water or Gold Medal
                for consumption or used as bait (either alive or       CPW at least 30 days before release.                       Waters, or commercial or private lakes licensed by
                dead) by fishing, seining, netting, trapping or        7. DONATING FISH — You can donate edible parts
                                                                                                                                  CPW. All standard fishing regulations apply.
                dipping are minnows, bluegill, hybrid bluegill,        of fish to like-license holders anywhere or to any-           Contests for tagged or marked trout will be
                carp, sunfish, gizzard shad, sculpin, white and        one at the recipient’s home. Donor and recipient           permitted only on waters greater than 200 surface
                longnose suckers, yellow perch and rainbow             subject to bag and possession limits. A “like-             acres and managed as a catchable fishery. Public
                smelt. Statewide bag limits apply to sunfish,          license” is a Colorado fishing license.                    fishing areas will remain open during a contest,
                bluegill, hybrid bluegills and yellow perch.                                                                      regardless of contest fees. Sponsors shall docu-
            f. The seining, netting, trapping and dipping of fish      8. TRANSPORTING, EXPORTING FISH — The                      ment the number of participants, average time
                is prohibited statewide in all natural streams,        license holder must accompany any species in this          spent fishing and estimated total catch by species
                springs, all waters in Adams, Arapahoe, Boul-          brochure, or parts of game fish, that are trans-           in a written report for CPW within 20 days of the
                der, Broomfield, Clear Creek, Denver, Douglas,         ported within or exported from Colorado. Wildlife          contest end.
       6
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
REFERENCE                                                                                                                                     2015 Colorado Fishing

         GLOSSARY OF FISHING TERMS                                                  LEGAL FISHING METHODS
»

                                                                            »

                                                                                                                                                                      REFERENCE
» ARTIFICIAL FLIES AND LURES             white bass hybrids); carp; bullhead,    1. ONE PERSONALLY ATTENDED LINE Each line shall have only
means devices made entirely of,          blue, channel and flathead catfish;     three common hooks attached.
or a combination of, natural or          black and white crappie; drum;
synthetic nonedible, nonscented          northern pike; tiger muskie; Sac-       2. TROTLINES
(regardless if the scent is added in     ramento and yellow perch; sauger;       a. Permitted only on these reservoirs (as listed in this brochure): Adobe
the manufacturing process or ap-         saugeye (walleye/sauger hybrids);           Creek, Bonny, Henry, Horse Creek, John Martin, Meredith, Navajo,
plied afterward), or materials such      speckled dace; rainbow smelt;               Nee Gronda, Nee Noshe, Nee So Pah, Queens (North and South),
as wood, plastic, silicone, rubber,      tench; walleye; bluegill; bluegill          Thurston and Two Buttes.
epoxy, glass, hair, metal, feathers or   hybrids (bluegill/green sunfish);       b. No one may use more than one trotline.
fiber, designed to attract fish. This    green, redear and pumpkinseed           c. Must be anchored, marked at each end by floats, be no longer than 150
does not include anything defined        sunfish; gizzard shad; longnose and         feet with no more than 25 droplines, and shall be weighted to place the
as bait below.                           white suckers; and minnows.                 line at least 3 feet under water.
                                         » GIG is a barbed fork with one or      d. Only three barbed hooks allowed on a common hook on each dropline.
» BAIT means any hand-moldable
material designed to attract fish by     more tines attached to a handle.        e. Trotlines shall be tagged with the user’s name, CID number and date set.
the sense of taste or smell; those                                               f. All trotlines shall be personally checked at least once every 24-hour period.
devices to which scents or smell         » JUGS means floats to which are
attractants have been added or           attached a line and common hook.        3. JUGS
externally applied (regardless if the                                            a. Permitted only on these reservoirs (as listed in this brochure): Adobe Creek,
                                         » MINNOW means all members of              Bonny, Henry, Horse Creek, John Martin, Meredith, Nee Gronda, Nee
scent is added in the manufactur-
ing process or applied afterward);       the families of fish classified Cy-        Noshe, Nee So Pah, Queens (North and South), Thurston and Two Buttes.
scented manufactured fish eggs and       prinidae (carp, chub, dace, goldfish,   b. Only 10 jugs are allowed for each license holder, each with only one
traditional organic baits, including     minnow, shiner, stoneroller and            single line and one common hook.
but not limited to worms, grubs,         tench), Cyprinodontidae (killifish,     c. Must be tagged with the owner or user’s name and CID number.
crickets, leeches, dough baits or        topminnow) and Clupeidae (giz-
                                         zard shad), except those desig-         d. Must be personally checked at least once an hour.
stink baits, insects, crayfish, human
                                         nated as nongame, threatened or
food, fish, fish parts or fish eggs.
                                         endangered, or those designated         4. UNDERWATER SPEARFISHING, ARCHERY AND GIGS
                                         as nonregulated. See page 6 and         Bow anglers are advised to reference the current State Recreation Lands
» CHUMMING is placing fish, parts                                                brochure for more regulations on waters that allow archery fishing.
                                         Chapter 10 and 11 of CPW regula-
of fish or other feeding material        tions online.                           a. Underwater spearfishing, archery and gigs may be used statewide for
in the waters for the purpose of                                                    the taking of carp and northern pike, except as prohibited by these
attracting fish to a particular area                                                regulations or land management agencies.
in order that they might be taken.       » NATURAL STREAM is one where
                                         water naturally flows regularly or             East of the Continental Divide, gizzard shad and white or long-nose
This does not include fishing with                                                  suckers may also be taken, unless otherwise prohibited in “Special
baited hooks or live traps.              intermittently for at least part of
                                         the year. Man-made ditches or              Regulations for Fishing Waters,” pages 10-35. Other fish may be taken
                                         other channels are not considered          when authorized for specific waters in the regulation section.
» COMMON HOOK is any hook or                                                     b. Archery may be used to take kokanee if a water is otherwise open to
multiple hooks having a common           natural streams.
                                                                                    snagging. In such cases, the following applies:
shank. All hooks attached to a                                                      1. Bows must have reel, fishing line and arrow attached to bow.
manufactured artificial lure shall be    » NET means seine, dip net, gill
considered a common hook.                net, cast net, trap net, hoop net or       2. Bows must have arrow safety-slide mechanism that keeps fishing
                                         similar devices used to take or as            line in front of the arrow at all times.
» FISHING is defined as efforts to       an aid in taking fish, amphibians or    c. Additional restrictions apply to underwater spearfishing:
take fish, amphibians or crusta-         crustaceans.                               1. CO2 guns or cartridge-powered spears are prohibited.
ceans, including by hook and line,                                                  2. Guns must be loaded and unloaded while the gun is submerged.
handline, trotline, jug, seine, net,     » PERSONALLY ATTENDED LINE                 3. Divers must stay within a radius of 100 feet of a float bearing the
underwater spearfishing, archery,        means a rod and line, hand line or            National Divers’ Symbol.
snagging or gigging.                     tip-up that is used for fishing and        4. Spears must be attached by a safety line.
                                         which is under the personal control     d. Archery and gigs are allowed for taking bullfrogs.
» FLOAT TUBE means a floating            of a person who is in proximity
device which suspends a single           to it.                                  5. SNAGGING is permitted for taking kokanee salmon only, on specific
occupant in the water from the seat                                              waters listed in this brochure. Other species snagged must be returned to
down and is not propelled by oars,       » SIZE OR LENGTH means the total        the water immediately.
paddles or motors.                       length of a fish with head and tail
                                         attached measured from the tip of       6. SEINES AND CAST-NETS
» GAME FISH means all species of         the snout to the tip of the tail.       a. Seines are allowed only for bait fish, gilled form of aquatic tiger sala-
fish except unregulated species,                                                    mander larvae and crayfish; or if authorized for emergency salvage. See
prohibited nongame, endangered           » SEINING means the capture of             “Special Conditions and Restrictions,” page 6.
and threatened species, which            live fish with the use of a net that    b. Seines must be made of a quarter-inch or less nonmetallic square mesh.
currently exist or may be intro-         hangs vertically in the water and is    c. Seines cannot exceed 20 feet long and 4 feet in depth.
duced into the state and which           used to enclose fish when its ends
are classified as game fish by the       are pulled together, or are drawn       7. BY HAND OR WITH DIP NETS
Parks and Wildlife Commission.           ashore.                                 a. Allowed for bullfrogs, crayfish and the gilled form of aquatic tiger
This includes, but is not limited to                                               salamander larvae.
brown, brook, cutthroat, golden,         » SNAGGING is the taking of fish by     b. Fish may be taken by these means or others approved by CPW for
lake (Mackinaw), and rainbow             snatching with hooks, gang hooks,         emergency salvage.
trout; cutbow (rainbow/cutthroat         artificial flies or lures, or similar   c. Hand-held dip nets may be used for taking bait fish according to re-
hybrids), splake (lake trout/brook       devices where the fish is hooked in       strictions. See “Use and Collection of Bait Fish,” page 6.
trout hybrids), and tiger trout          a part of the body other than the
(brown/brook trout hybrids); Arc-        mouth.                                  8. LIVETRAPS Cage or box traps, including set pots, shall be used only
tic char; grayling; kokanee salmon;                                              for the taking of crayfish, snapping turtles and fish captured as bait fish or
whitefish; sculpin; smallmouth,          » TROTLINE is a single, anchored
                                                                                 for personal consumption.
largemouth, spotted, striped, and        line with a float at each end from      9. ARTIFICIAL LIGHT may be used as a fishing aid.
white bass; wipers (striped bass/        which droplines are attached.
                                                                                 10. BAIT may be used where permitted as fishing aid, except by chumming.
                                                                                                                                                                      7
2015 Colorado Fishing - COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE SEASON: APRIL 1, 2015 - MARCH 31, 2016
2015 Colorado Fishing                                                                                                                      REFERENCE

                     FISHERY PROGRAMS
      »
REFERENCE

                                                                                                                              MASTER ANGLER
            STREAM SURVEYS                             GOLD MEDAL WATERS                                                      PROGRAM
            HELP BIOLOGISTS                            Gold Medal Waters are the highest quality cold-water habi-
                                                       tats and have the capability to produce many quality size
                                                                                                                              The CPW Master
                                                                                                                              Angler Award
                                                                                                                              Program recog-
            MANAGE FISHING                             (14 inches or longer) trout.
                                                          CPW has established criteria and management guide-
                                                                                                                              nizes anglers who
                                                                                                                              catch fish of trophy
                                                       lines to support the public interest in angling, observing             size and promote
                                                       and protecting these significant cold-water fishery re-                conservation.
                                                       sources.                                                                  There are two
                                                                                                                              categories: fish that
                                                          Gold Medal Waters are defined as any river or lake                  are kept and fish
                                                       which is producing a standing stock of at least 60 pounds              released. Awards are
                                                       per acre, and at least 12 trout that are 14 inches or longer           based on fish length, so
                                                       per acre on a sustained basis.                                         fish can be measured and released.
                                                          River segments designated as Gold Medal Trout Waters                   To promote responsible conser-
                                                                                                                              vation of fishery resources, CPW
                                                       must be a minimum of 2 miles in length and lakes must be               will recognize qualifying length
                                                       a minimum of 50 acres.                                                 northern pike and smallmouth
                                                                                                                              bass caught in waters west of the
                                                                                                                              Continental Divide in the “Kept
                                                       The following lakes and streams in Colorado offer the greatest         Fish” category only.
                                                       potential for trophy trout fishing:                                       Anglers who catch a fish of
                                                                                                                              qualifying length receive a Master
                                                       GOLD MEDAL STREAMS                                                     Angler certificate and patch. Those
                                                       ANIMAS RIVER: From Lightner Creek to Rivera Crossing bridge            who achieve record status also
                                         Photo © CPW
                                                       ARKANSAS RIVER: From the confluence with the Lake Fork of              receive a matching lapel pin.
            Colorado Parks and Wildlife is the                                                                                   Anglers can win multiple certifi-
            state agency responsible for fisher-       the Arkansas, near Leadville, downstream to Parkdale at the Hwy.
                                                       50 bridge crossing above the Royal Gorge.                              cates but only one patch per year.
            ies management of public waters in                                                                                   Only fish caught in Colorado
            Colorado.                                  BLUE RIVER: From Dillon Reservoir dam to Green Mountain                are eligible. Entrants must have
               The primary tool that guides fish       Reservoir inlet; also from Green Mountain Reservoir dam to             hooked, played, landed or released
            management is the lake and stream          Colorado River                                                         the fish. Snagged fish are ineligi-
            survey. These surveys periodically                                                                                ble. Fish length is measured from
            monitor fish populations.                  COLORADO RIVER: From Fraser River to Troublesome Creek
                                                                                                                              the jaw tip to tail tip.
               During the process, fish are col-       FRYINGPAN RIVER: From Ruedi Reservoir dam to the Roaring                  Entries must be submitted within
            lected using a variety of gear and the     Fork River                                                             60 days of catch. A clear, side-view

                                                                                                         G
            necessary biological data is recorded.                                                                            photograph of the fish must accom-
            This gauges                                GORE CREEK: From Red Sandstone Creek to
                                                       Eagle River                                                This “G”    pany entries with one witness veri-
            the entire fish                                                                                                   fication. Two witnesses are required
            community                                  GUNNISON RIVER: From 200 yards down-                       next to a
                                                                                                                              for entries without photos.
            rather than a More about                   stream of Crystal Reservoir dam to the North               body of        For an entry form, contact the
            single species. how fishery                Fork of the Gunnison                                water on pages     Master Angler Award Program,
               The col-        biologists                                                                  10-35 signifies
                                                       NORTH PLATTE RIVER: From south boundary                                Colorado Parks and Wildlife, 6060
            lected data is sample fish:                                                                    that as a Gold     Broadway, Denver, CO 80216, or
            used to track cpw.state.co.us/fish/        of Routt National Forest to Wyoming (North-
                                                       gate Canyon)                                        Medal Water.       go to cpw.state.co.us/fish/
            fish popula-       management
                                                                                                                              masterangler.
            tion trends,                               RIO GRANDE: From Hwy. 149 bridge at South
            evaluate the       Fishery data for        Fork downstream to Rio Grande canal diversion       WILD TROUT &
            effectiveness      some of your favorite   structure                                           GOLD MEDAL         WILD TROUT PROGRAM
            of manage-         Colorado waters:                                                                               CPW is responsible for the preser-
            ment actions cpw.state.co.us/fish/         ROARING FORK RIVER: From the Fryingpan              WATERS POLICY
                                                       River to the Colorado River                         cpw.state.co.      vation and protection of native and
            such as            fisherydata                                                                                    non-native wild trout populations.
            stocking and                               SOUTH PLATTE RIVER:                                  us/fish/gold
                                                                                                            medal                Most mountain streams and
            regulations,                                   » From the confluence of the middle and                            some high lakes in Colorado sup-
            and establish realistic management                                                              policy
                                                             south forks to Spinney Mountain Reservoir                        port populations of wild trout.
            goals for a given lake or stream.                inlet                                                               These resources are important
               The fisheries section of CPW                                                                                   to the integrity of Colorado’s trout
            conducts hundreds of lake and stream           » From Spinney Mountain Reservoir outlet to Eleven Mile
                                                             Reservoir inlet                                                  fisheries; as an indicator of prop-
            surveys each year.                                                                                                erly functioning aquatic ecosys-
               High-priority and brood waters              » From Cheesman Reservoir dam to the south boundary of             tems; and for their intrinsic value
            such as Chatfield, Pueblo and Horse-             the Wigwam Club property                                         to those seeking a unique, aesthetic
            tooth reservoirs and the Gunnison                                                                                 and significant fishery resource.
            River are surveyed annually. Smaller,          » From the north boundary of Wigwam Club property to
                                                             Scraggy View picnic ground                                          To assure the continuation and
            more remote, or lightly used lakes or                                                                             availability of wild self-sustaining
            streams may only be surveyed once              » Middle fork, from the Hwy. 9 bridge to the south fork            trout populations the Parks
            every 5-10 years.                                confluence                                                       and Wildlife Commission has
               Most of the survey fieldwork takes                                                                             established specific management
            place from early June through late         GOLD MEDAL LAKES                                                       guidelines for those aquatic habi-
            September; however, many areas also                                                                               tats which support all life stages of
            conduct more specialized sampling          NORTH DELANEY BUTTE LAKE in Jackson County
                                                                                                                              trout.
            beginning right after ice-out and          SPINNEY MOUNTAIN RESERVOIR in Park County                                 These waters are to be managed
            again in the fall prior to freeze-up.                                                                             to the extent possible to maintain
                                                       STEAMBOAT LAKE in Routt County
                                                                                                                              these wild trout populations.
       8
You can also read