10/12/2016 Curecanti NRA - Fishing

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10/12/2016 Curecanti NRA - Fishing

Curecanti

Mein Page Fishing

Ranger Activities

National Recreation Area
National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

-

— The fishery of the Gunnison area has been changed by the three dams of the
Current Updates Wayne N. Aspinall Unit which form the reservoirs of Curecanti. Where once the
— fish of the Gunnison River fed upon the aquatic insects of the area, new fish
Recreation species, which make their home in the reservoirs, feed upon plankton, small
— microscopic plants and animals. Federal and state fish hatcheries stock over
Resources three million fish in the reservoirs each year. Their efforts help to keep the fishing

— enjoyable at Curecanti.
Maps

—_ Five Species of Fish

Educational Materials

Info Zone

GLC) Pema |
aia <n

— Rainbow Trout - Identifying
marks are black spots on a
Black Canyon NP light body and a red stripe
along the sides of the fish.

Experience So

Your AmericaTM Lake Trout (Mackinaw) - This
fish has a white spotting
pattem on a dark
background. Veriform
markings over the back and
head. Unlike other trout, they
have a deeply indented tail
fin.

<a

Brown Trout - The spotting
pattem is composed of black
spots and also red-orange
spots surrounded by light
blue.

wind

Brook Trout - The pectoral,
pelvic and anal fins are often
orange, edged with black
and white. The body is dark
with red spots surrounded by
blue and white spots.

>

Rainbow Trout

The colorful rainbow trout, named for the pink stripe
along its side, is the most often caught fish of
Curecanti. Rainbow trout, introduced into the
Gunnison River in the 1880's, are stocked quite
heavily and can be caught in the river areas or in
the reservoirs. River and shore fishing can be very
productive, but in the late summer when waters are
warm, the fish seek cooler areas. Then, trolling at
slow speeds works best.

Lake Trout or Mackinaw

The deep subsurface canyons of Blue Mesa
Reservoir provide excellent habitat for the big lake
trout or mackinaw. The “mac” can reach
tremendous sizes - one monster weighed over
thirty-eight pounds! To catch one of these “big
ones”, you must fish deep and in cold water (45-
50°F).

Brown Trout or German Trout

Recognized by its dark brown color and red spots,
the brown trout is another large fish species which
can be found in all three of the reservoirs. Some of
the largest fish taken from Morrow Point and
Crystal Reservoirs are brown trout.

Brook Trout

Brook trout live in most of the streams which feed
the reservoirs of the recreation area. Curecanti
Creek, which feeds into Morrow Point Reservoir,
can be one of the best spots for catching the
“brookies”.

Kokanee Salmon

The reservoirs have also provided a home for the
kokanee salmon. The kokanee travel in schools,
feeding on the animal plankton, or zooplankton of
the reservoirs. So if you get a strike while trolling,
but are unable to bring the fish in, make another
slower pass through the same area and you should
be able to land the silver colored fish. The salmon
are stocked from the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery

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10/12/2016 Curecanti NRA - Fishing

Kokanee Salmon -At the north of Gunnison. When they are ready to spawn

fomaies develop aredgray- at the end of their third or fourth summer, they

white pattem while males travel upriver to return to the hatchery. At this time,

develop a hook jawand tum they no longer feed, and after they reproduce, they

brick red 4
die. In order to insure that a sufficient number of
eggs are collected and fertilized, the snagging of
kokanee salmon is only allowed during November
and December. Between August 1 and October 31,
all salmon caught east of the Lake City Bridge
must be released.

Kokanee Salmon and Lake Trout in Blue Mesa

Blue Mesa Reservoir provides excellent angling opporunities and supplies a large
number of the eggs needed to supply hatcheries and sustain Kokanee
populations in Blue Mesa, other reservoirs and lakes in the state. Research
indicates that a large Lake Trout population in Blue Mesa Reservoir is decreasing
Kokanee Salmon fishing and egg production. For more information about this
current issue, please visit the Colorado State University, College of Natural
Resources website.

Whirling Disease
Whirling Disease is a parasitic infection affecting primarily rainbow trout
populations. Detailed information about this disease is available from the

its

Bag and Possession Li

On the Gunnison River (in Curecanti NRA) and Blue Mesa Reservoir the limits

are:
Species Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit
Total fish of the following 4 8

species including:

Rainbow Trout

Brown Trout

Cutthroat Trout

Brook Trout 8 inches or less 10 10
Kokanee Salmon (angling) 10 10
Kokanee Salmon (east of Lake

City Bridge, Aug. 1 to Oct. 31) 0 0
Kokanee Salmon (snagging,

Nov. 1 to Dec. 31) 10 10

Yellow Perch 20 20
Crayfish no limit no limit

In addition, on Blue Mesa Reservoir only:

Species Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit
Total fish of the following 8 8

species including:
Lake Trout (Mackinaw)

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10/12/2016 Curecanti NRA - Fishing

On Morrow Point or Crystal Reservoirs the limits are inclusive of your daily bag
limit caught in other reservoirs:

Species Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit
Total fish of the following 4 8
species including:

Rainbow Trout

Brown Trout

Cutthroat Trout

Lake Trout (Mackinaw)

Brook Trout 10 10
Kokanee Salmon (angling) 10 10
Kokanee Salmon (snagging, 10 10
Sep. 1 to Dec. 31)

Yellow Perch 20 20

East Portal - (from the closure below Crystal Dam to the Black Canyon of the
Gunnison National Park boundary, Gold Medal Water Regulations apply -
artificial flies and lures only (no bait) :

Species Daily Bag Limit Possession Limit
Rainbow Trout catch and release only
Brown Trout 4 4

Brown Trout may be - 1 over 16" and 3 under 12” or 4 no greater than 12"

-all Brown Trout between 12" and 16" must be returned to the water
immediately

Please consult the Colorado Divison of Wildlife 2002 Fishing Brochure for
details.

Rules and Regulations

* Colorado State fishing regulations apply within Curecanti National
Recreation Area.

* A valid Colorado fishing license is required for all people 16 years of age
and over. Licenses may be purchased at the Elk Creek and Lake Fork
Marinas or at sporting goods stores in the area.

© Persons under the age of 16 with a valid fishing license are entitled to the
full daily bag limit. Persons under the age of 16 without a valid fishing
license are only entitled to half the daily limit.

© In order to keep the fish populations healthy, please observe the posted
limits.

¢ All fish that are not kept as part of your daily bag limit must be returned
to the water immediately.

* Check the fishing statutes for any special regulations which may be in
effect regarding special limits, closures, seasons, baits, and any other
restrictions. Special regulations close some creeks in the area during the
rainbow trout spawn.

© Pets must be kept on a leash, no longer than six feet, at all times.

* Motor vehicles are restricted to authorized roads and below high water
mark.

* Open fires are allowed only below the reservoir's high water mark.
Driftwood may be collected and used as a fuel source. No other firewood
gathering is permitted.

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