CPW seeks input on new fishing regulations

SAN LUIS VALLEY— To maintain high-quality fishing opportunities in the upper San Luis Valley area, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is considering a change in fishing regulations on two waters in the South Fork and Creede areas. The public is asked to go online to take two short surveys about the proposals.
The first area is on the Rio Grande River north of the town of South Fork from the Colo. Highway 149 bridge to the south end of the Coller State Wildlife Area, a section of about three miles. CPW is proposing that fishing in that section be by artificial fly and lure only, that bag and possession limit be two brown trout under 12 inches and that all rainbows be returned to the water immediately. This regulation would match regulations for the Rio Grande above this section.
The reason for the proposed change is to protect this high-quality trout fishery and to simplify regulations on the Rio Grande for anglers. Current regulations in this short section allow standard statewide bag and possession regulation of four fish per day and eight fish in possession.
The second water is at Upper Seepage Lake west of Creede in Mineral County. The lake is highly productive and trout grow quickly to large size. CPW is proposing a change to provide a trophy fishing opportunity to anglers. The proposal would allow fishing by artificial fly and lure only and anglers could keep two trout over 16 inches. Currently, standard statewide bag and possession rules apply. While the lake is very productive, it is also very difficult to stock regularly because stocking trucks cannot travel on the rough road that leads to the reservoir. This regulation would allow more fish to grow to trophy size.
“Both of these proposals will help preserve outstanding fishing opportunities,” said Brent Woodward, district wildlife manager in the area. “We’d appreciate hearing comments from the public on these ideas.”
To access the surveys, the each Internet address must be copied or typed directly into the browser address bar. You will not be able to access the surveys by typing the address into Google or a similar search engine.
For the Upper Seepage Lake survey: https://www.research.net/r/UpperSeepageLake2018.
For the Rio Grande survey: https://www.research.net/r/RioGrandeRiver.


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