OutdoorHub
Colorado Pays Fishermen $10,000 to Remove Invasive Bass from Ridgway
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s ambitious plan to combat invasive smallmouth bass at Ridgway Reservoir proved successful, with anglers responding enthusiastically to the agency’s $10,000 prize pool during this summer’s removal tournament.
The Ridgway Reservoir Smallmouth Bass Classic, which ran from July 5 through August 10, attracted dedicated anglers who helped remove significant numbers of the destructive species from western Colorado waters. The five-week tournament required no entry fee or advance registration, making it accessible to any angler with a valid Colorado fishing license.
“Because humans brought the invasive bass to the area, it’s our job to remove them,” Eric Gardunio, an aquatic biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, explained the tournament’s mission.
Smallmouth bass, native to the Great Lakes region, were introduced to Colorado waters by humans years ago and have since become a major threat to native fish populations. The aggressive predators feast on beloved native and endangered species, and their rapid reproduction rate makes them particularly dangerous to local ecosystems.
The bass have already invaded the Green and Yampa rivers, causing significant damage to native fish populations. According to Cornell Chronicle, their presence has led to “declines of native fish species and stunting of growth rates in prized brook and lake trout, which compete with bass for the same prey.”
Chase Nicholson, a veteran competitor who won previous tournaments, participated again this year, understanding the urgency of preventing the smallmouth bass population from becoming “unstoppable” before wreaking even more havoc on the native ecosystem.
Tournament participants turned in their invasive smallmouth bass catches at the CPW weigh station, contributing to the conservation effort’s success. Photo:CPW
Tournament participants faced challenging conditions on Ridgway Reservoir, where weather turned dangerous at times. Despite harsh conditions, dedicated anglers returned throughout the summer to help control the invasive population.
“It can get ugly out here when the wind’s blowing and the waves are 3 feet tall, swells rolling past and you’re trying to paddle from one side of the reservoir to the other,” Nicholson described the demanding fishing conditions.
The tournament’s success extends beyond conservation benefits. Invasive species like smallmouth bass can devastate local fishing industries by drastically altering fish habitats and pushing out keystone species that maintain the natural balance of waterways. These changes can ultimately affect entire communities that depend on healthy fisheries.
The competition began at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, and concluded at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10. Participants turned in their smallmouth bass catches to the CPW tournament freezer located near the fish cleaning station at the Ridgway Reservoir boat ramp by the deadline.
The expansive waters of Ridgway Reservoir challenged tournament anglers during the five-week invasive species removal effort
Registration occurred when anglers submitted their fish, eliminating bureaucratic barriers that encouraged strong participation throughout the five-week period.
The tournament represented a successful approach to fisheries management, turning ecological restoration into a competitive event that attracted skilled anglers while addressing a serious environmental problem. By offering substantial prize money, Colorado Parks and Wildlife ensured strong participation in what amounted to a large-scale removal effort disguised as a fishing tournament.
The post Colorado Pays Fishermen $10,000 to Remove Invasive Bass from Ridgway appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...
Colorado Pays Fishermen $10,000 to Remove Invasive Bass from Ridgway
Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s ambitious plan to combat invasive smallmouth bass at Ridgway Reservoir proved successful, with anglers responding enthusiastically to the agency’s $10,000 prize pool during this summer’s removal tournament.
The Ridgway Reservoir Smallmouth Bass Classic, which ran from July 5 through August 10, attracted dedicated anglers who helped remove significant numbers of the destructive species from western Colorado waters. The five-week tournament required no entry fee or advance registration, making it accessible to any angler with a valid Colorado fishing license.
“Because humans brought the invasive bass to the area, it’s our job to remove them,” Eric Gardunio, an aquatic biologist with Colorado Parks and Wildlife, explained the tournament’s mission.
Smallmouth bass, native to the Great Lakes region, were introduced to Colorado waters by humans years ago and have since become a major threat to native fish populations. The aggressive predators feast on beloved native and endangered species, and their rapid reproduction rate makes them particularly dangerous to local ecosystems.
The bass have already invaded the Green and Yampa rivers, causing significant damage to native fish populations. According to Cornell Chronicle, their presence has led to “declines of native fish species and stunting of growth rates in prized brook and lake trout, which compete with bass for the same prey.”
Chase Nicholson, a veteran competitor who won previous tournaments, participated again this year, understanding the urgency of preventing the smallmouth bass population from becoming “unstoppable” before wreaking even more havoc on the native ecosystem.
Tournament participants turned in their invasive smallmouth bass catches at the CPW weigh station, contributing to the conservation effort’s success. Photo:CPW
Tournament participants faced challenging conditions on Ridgway Reservoir, where weather turned dangerous at times. Despite harsh conditions, dedicated anglers returned throughout the summer to help control the invasive population.
“It can get ugly out here when the wind’s blowing and the waves are 3 feet tall, swells rolling past and you’re trying to paddle from one side of the reservoir to the other,” Nicholson described the demanding fishing conditions.
The tournament’s success extends beyond conservation benefits. Invasive species like smallmouth bass can devastate local fishing industries by drastically altering fish habitats and pushing out keystone species that maintain the natural balance of waterways. These changes can ultimately affect entire communities that depend on healthy fisheries.
The competition began at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 5, and concluded at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, August 10. Participants turned in their smallmouth bass catches to the CPW tournament freezer located near the fish cleaning station at the Ridgway Reservoir boat ramp by the deadline.
The expansive waters of Ridgway Reservoir challenged tournament anglers during the five-week invasive species removal effort
Registration occurred when anglers submitted their fish, eliminating bureaucratic barriers that encouraged strong participation throughout the five-week period.
The tournament represented a successful approach to fisheries management, turning ecological restoration into a competitive event that attracted skilled anglers while addressing a serious environmental problem. By offering substantial prize money, Colorado Parks and Wildlife ensured strong participation in what amounted to a large-scale removal effort disguised as a fishing tournament.
The post Colorado Pays Fishermen $10,000 to Remove Invasive Bass from Ridgway appeared first on OutdoorHub.
Continue reading...