RBC | Aquatic biologists with Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s northwest region will be presenting several proposed regulation changes during a public webinar on Wednesday, June 10 at 6 p.m. The webinar will also give anglers the opportunity to ask questions about fishery management in area lakes, rivers, and streams.
“CPW updates regulations as needed,” explained Lori Martin, Senior Aquatic Biologist for the northwest region. “We monitor environment, biological changes, and recreation changes to make sure that regulations are well suited to conserve natural resources and provide recreational opportunities.”
Two proposed statewide regulation changes will be explained during the webinar. The first statewide change sets up clear guidelines for when emergency fishing closures can be implemented when environmental conditions could potentially damage fish populations. The change was crafted after the drought conditions in 2018 further raised agency awareness of specific challenges with the current closure criteria. Another statewide regulatory change will expand spearfishing opportunities in Colorado as the sport continues to grow in popularity and participation.
In addition to statewide changes, aquatic biologists are proposing several changes to waters in northwest Colorado. Recommendations include limiting harvest of mountain whitefish in the White River drainage, as well as specific sections of the Colorado and Roaring Fork rivers. Biologists are also recommending restricting the harvest of tiger trout in Meadow Creek Reservoir (Grand County). Another regional proposal would allow increased angling opportunity by altering the current kokanee salmon spawning closure dates in the North Fork of the Colorado River around Shadow Mountain and Lake Granby.
The webinar will be conducted using the Zoom platform and is available via computer, smartphone, or call-in telephone access. The webinar is free but a quick registration is required and participants will need to provide their name and email address to register. To register for the Wednesday, June 10 webinar, go to https://cpw-state-co.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ixwK2yKOSRKKaEDpPkoPAw.
The webinar will begin with some brief presentations from CPW staff and then will be open for attendees to ask questions or submit comments on the proposals.
