If you’re fishing at Pastorius Reservoir and catch a rainbow trout without a fin, Colorado Parks and Wildlife wants to know about it.
Spokesman Joe Lewandowski says CPW is trying to determine the “catchability” of a different strain of rainbow trout stocked in reservoirs, hoping to learn how the species responds to bait, lures and flies.
Recently, as part of a special project, CPW stocked Pastorius Reservoir – about a 20-minute drive southeast of Durango – with 800 rainbow trout of a new strain.
“To increase angler interest and participation in the project, CPW is also stocking 100 rainbow trout ‘broodstock,’ which are in the 16-to-20-plus inch range,” Lewandowski said in a prepared statement.
CPW marked the 800 stocked fish by clipping the small adipose fin located on the backs of the fish, which the division says causes no harm to the fish.
Starting Wednesday, anglers are asked to record the number of fish they catch that are marked and unmarked and asked to answer a five-question online survey, which will be available for about two weeks.
Signs are posted at the reservoir with a code and web link anglers can use to access the survey with their smartphones as soon as they get done fishing for the day, Lewandowski said.
“Anglers are asked to record their catch, including fish they released, after each day of fishing. Those fishing can take the survey more than once. The survey should only take a couple of minutes to complete. A CPW volunteer will also be at the reservoir to answer questions.”
Lewandowski said cellphone service is available at Pastorius Reservoir, but the survey can be completed at home. No personal information is collected.
“We rely on anglers to help us manage fisheries,” said Jim White, CPW’s aquatic biologist in Durango. “This information will be valuable for our hatchery and stocking programs. Plus, we’re giving folks a chance to land some big fish.”
The daily bag limit at Pastorius Reservoir is four trout, and the possession limit is eight fish. The reservoir is located on La Plata County Road 304. New fishing licenses are required as of April 1.
jromeo@durangoherald.com
