GUNNISON, Colo. – Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to hear from anglers regarding fishing in the Gunnison Basin at an Anglers’ Roundtable, 6:30 p.m., April 13 at the Fred R. Field Heritage Center at the Gunnison County Fairgrounds.
Dan Brauch, aquatic biologist in Gunnison, will talk about a variety of issues, including managing the fishery at Blue Mesa Reservoir, CPW efforts to restore rainbow trout in area rivers and planned stream restoration projects. Anglers are also asked to bring their questions, opinions and observations.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is also starting its five-year review of all fishing regulations. Brauch will explain the process and how people can offer suggestions and make comments.
Aquatic biologists continually evaluate fisheries, and every five years the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission looks at all fishing regulations to ensure that the DOW continues to meet fisheries management objectives and recreational needs of anglers. The regulations set allowable methods of take, season dates, size requirements and bag limits. The regulations also include statewide rules that apply to individual waters throughout Colorado.
Besides regulations, aquatic biologists examine biological and social data from state waters. These include fish and creel surveys, research and trend information, water quality issues, stocking activity and angler-satisfaction surveys. That information will be considered in the decision-making process for setting new regulations.
“Fishing is a major outdoor activity in the basin that draws people from throughout the state and the nation,” Brauch said. “We want to know what’s on anglers’ minds.”
