Results of the 2021 Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic Tournament

June 19 - June 27

2021 Man with Pike at Elkhead Tournament 2021 Boy with prizes won in Elkhead Reservoir Tournament

The 2021 Elkhead Reservoir (Moffat and Routt counties) Fishing Classic tournament was held June 19th through June 27th. This tournament targeted the harvest of smallmouth bass and northern pike. A total of 133 anglers removed 668 smallmouth bass and 708 northern pike, for a total of 1,376 fish. Fish turned in by anglers were also used to estimate the population size of adult (>6” in total length) smallmouth bass in Elkhead Reservoir before and after the tournament. CPW biologists estimate that 30% of adult smallmouth bass in the reservoir were harvested during the tournament (Figure 1). Since 2017, the adult smallmouth bass population has declined by 66%. CPW is also tracking the northern pike population and estimates that 14% of adult (≥12” in total length) northern pike in the reservoir were harvested during the tournament (Figure 2). Tournament anglers have harvested 1,733 northern pike from Elkhead Reservoir since 2019, but only a moderate reduction in the adult northern pike population was estimated from 2019-2021 (Figure 2). 2019 was the first year that Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists conducted a northern pike population estimate for Elkhead Reservoir, and an estimate was not conducted in 2020 due to COVID-19 agency restrictions.

One northern pike and one smallmouth bass were tagged and released by CPW biologists immediately prior to the 2021 tournament with individually numbered, internal passive integrated transponder (PIT) tags. Fish were checked for tags throughout the tournament at the CPW fish scanning station. If a 2021 tagged smallmouth bass and/or northern pike was caught during the tournament, the respective angler(s) received a cash award (check) of $1,500 per fish on the day the fish was caught. Anglers did not catch either of the fish worth $1,500 during the tournament. Therefore, two lucky anglers were awarded the $1,500 cash prizes through a drawing at the end of the tournament. Further, two $750 checks were awarded to the two anglers that caught and turned in the most northern pike and the most smallmouth bass across the nine-day tournament.

For more information regarding the Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic, please see contact Area Aquatic Biologist Tory Eyre at 970-878-6074 or via email at tory.eyre@state.co.us.

Figure 1: Estimated adult (≥6” in total length) smallmouth bass population size in Elkhead Reservoir before and after the Elkhea

Figure 1: Estimated adult (≥6” in total length) smallmouth bass population size in Elkhead Reservoir before and after the Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic from 2017 through 2021. The black lines represent the 95% confidence intervals.

Figure 2: Estimated adult (≥12” in total length) northern pike population size in Elkhead Reservoir before and after the Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic from 2019 through 2021. The black lines represent the 95% confidence intervals.

Results of the 2021 Ridgway State Park Tournament

July 10 - August 8

Angler, Chase Nicholson, holds up his winning smallmouth bass from the 2020 tournament.

Despite only having 25 anglers participate, the Ridgway State Park tournament was a success with a total of 1690 smallmouth bass removed. This removal was driven by two anglers; Chase Nicholson and Lawrence Cieslewicz removed 936 and 649 smallmouth each for first ($5,000) and second place ($3,000), respectively. These two have won first and second place three times in a row now, and are the key to success with the tournament.

Prior to the tournament we marked and released 113 SMB adults (over 6" in length). Of these 75 were returned by anglers, allowing us to generate the population estimate data below. Our estimate indicates that this year's tournament reduced the adult population by 66% from 1222 to 336 individuals. This final estimate indicates that we have reduced the population by over 90% from it's high of nearly 3900 adult smallmouth bass in 2016. Ridgway Tournament 2021 Results Figure 1

Figure 3

The tournament is meeting its goal of reducing this illegally introduced population of smallmouth bass to limit their probability of moving downstream into critical endangered species habitat in the Gunnison River where they would be likely to do harm. To further this goal, a collaborative effort with USFWS and the water users will be installing an escapement barrier around the spillway this winter that will further isolate this population. Thank you to the Area, Park and Aquatic staff that have been integral to the tournament success.

Be a partner with Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Smallmouth bass and northern pike are not compatible with endangered fish recovery and conservation efforts in waters downstream of Ridgway (smallmouth bass only) and Elkhead reservoirs. Smallmouth bass and northern pike can escape from reservoirs and/or be moved illegally to waters where these species can predate upon native fishes and compete with native fishes for food and habitat. CPW requests that anglers catch and keep all smallmouth bass and northern pike that they catch from these reservoirs. Anglers are reminded that it is illegal to move live fish from one water to another in western Colorado.

If the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program fails to make sufficient progress at recovering the four endangered fish species (Colorado pikeminnow, bonytail, razorback sucker, and humpback chub), all water users on the West Slope will likely be required to consult with the federal government if they need to use water for irrigation, to fill a pond, or to supply drinking water.

Participation in these fishing tournaments can help assure a variety of future game fish opportunities in Elkhead and Ridgway reservoirs. For example, with the help of local anglers, CPW has stocked: over 86,000 juvenile black crappie, 229,000 juvenile bluegill, 1,000,0000 juvenile largemouth bass, and over 1,100 adult largemouth bass in Elkhead Reservoir since 2016. These species are compatible with native fish recovery and conservation efforts. In 2021, CPW installed 40 artificial fish habitat structures in Elkhead Reservoir to provide additional habitat for sportfish (Figure 4). The recently installed fish habitat structures increase the amount of cover habitat available for black crappie, bluegill, and largemouth bass in the reservoir and provide additional productive angling locations for those species.

CPW strives to provide the best fishing opportunities that are appropriate for each body of water in the state. Biologists must carefully consider a variety of factors when managing fisheries, including: impacts to native fishes, water quality, habitat availability, size of water to be stocked, how water will be used, forage fish availability, federal and state laws, etc. Please help CPW manage YOUR fisheries by working with our biologists and not against them by illegally stocking fish!

Figure 4. Photo of CPW employees installing fish habitat structures at Elkhead Reservoir.

Illegal stocking hurts Colorado's anglers

Illegal stocking of fish is a significant issue that affects all Colorado anglers. In western Colorado, not every body of water or waterway is suitable for every species of fish. CPW must remedy fisheries where illegal stocking has taken place. This means the agency must expend significant resources that otherwise could be used to improve angling opportunities elsewhere. For example, in the fall of 2013, CPW spent more than $100,000 to eliminate smallmouth bass and restore the renowned trout fishery at Miramonte Reservoir in San Miguel County. In the spring of 2021, CPW spent more than $35,000 to eradicate northern pike and restore the warmwater and seasonal rainbow trout fishery at Mack Mesa Reservoir in Mesa County.

Help prevent illegal stocking

If you have information about illegal stocking of fish, please contact a CPW office immediately, or call Operation Game Thief at 1-877-265-6648. Tips can be given anonymously and rewards are possible.