Anglers rewarded following best Blue Mesa lake trout tournament since 2020

John Livingston
Southwest Region Public Information Officer
970-759-9590 / [email protected]
@CPW_SW

GUNNISON, Colo. – While helping Colorado Parks and Wildlife with its management of the fishery at Blue Mesa Reservoir, anglers were recently awarded $10,000 in cash prizes following four months of tournament fishing.

It was a banner year for the Blue Mesa Lake Trout Tournament, which began New Year's Day and concluded April 30. Anglers turned in 2,770 heads from lake trout that measured 24 inches or less, which was the most since the inaugural year of the tournament in 2020.

“This was a highly-successful tournament this year, and we greatly appreciate the opportunity to partner with the public to achieve management goals of lake trout within Blue Mesa Reservoir,” said CPW aquatic biologist Giulio Del Piccolo of Gunnison.

Keith Carson of nearby Gunnison was the winner of the harvest-incentive tournament. Carson turned in 413 heads to earn the $3,000 top prize after he fished for 155 hours across 28 days.

Carson narrowly bested Rob Miller of Montrose, who earned a second-place prize of $1,500 for turning in 390 heads. Third place and $1,000 went to Jonathan Cole of Poncha Springs, who turned in 295 heads. That was five more than 2024 tournament winner Greg Frisina of Gunnison, who took home $500 for fourth place.

Additionally, CPW awarded $4,000 in prize money via random draw to any angler who turned in at least one head during the tournament. Tristan Francis of Fruita turned in 30 heads and was randomly selected three times to earn a $600 prize.

In total, 81 anglers participated this year, up from 50 in 2024.

The 2,770 lake trout harvested during the tournament was significant. When the tournament was first held in 2020, 4,055 lake trout 24 inches or less were harvested. In 2021, 1,704 fish were turned in before CPW paused the tournament in 2022 and 2023. However, lake trout abundance exceeded CPW’s objectives in 2024, and the tournament returned with only 898 lake trout harvested that year.

The low total in 2024 was largely attributed to poor ice conditions during an unseasonably warm winter. This year, ice conditions were better, though there were challenges to access suitable ice in the final month.

While the 2025 tournament has come to an end, anglers are encouraged to harvest small lake trout to continue to maintain balance in the fishery at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Anglers ages 16 and over must possess a valid Colorado fishing license. All Colorado Fishing Regulations and Boating Regulations apply.
 
The harvest of smaller lake trout helps aquatic biologists maintain management goals of the reservoir. Unsustainable levels of predation by lake trout can lead to rapid declines in kokanee salmon abundance and in lake trout growth and body condition. Research has demonstrated that increased removal of primarily small, young lake trout improves kokanee fry survival, the overall abundance of kokanee and produces more trophy lake trout.

CPW will continue to monitor the fishery before announcing any future harvest incentive tournaments at Blue Mesa Reservoir.

“We know lake trout are prolific, and it takes consistent monitoring efforts to make sure we are meeting our goals of providing quality opportunities for both kokanee and trophy lake trout,” Del Piccolo said.