WILL THE FISHING CONDITIONS REPORT COME TO AN END?Officials at Colorado Parks and Wildlife are considering further changes to the weekly fishing report in light of budget cutbacks and emerging private sector solutions. The agency is internally discussing ending the weekly reporting of fishing conditions. The stocking report and weekly "Information for Anglers" would continue.
"In the past we have been able to designate full-time resources to preparing the weekly report for publication in more than 50 papers around the state," explained spokesman Randy Hampton, who prepares the report currently. "Today, the fishing report is carried in very few papers and its weekly style is outpaced by private websites that offer up-to-the-minute conditions on waters across the state. When the private sector outpaces a government product, sometimes the best solution is to defer to what those private businesses can support."
From private fishing websites that offer statewide reports to fly shops, bait shops, outfitters and marinas, there are many places to find the current fishing conditions. Many of the sites report key daily conditions such as water flow and water temperature. Hatch conditions which fly fishermen rely on can change daily and a weekly fishing conditions report is often outdated before it is prepared and distributed.
As wildlife managers and biologists have discussed how to provide anglers with relevant information in a timely fashion, they've tried to focus on information that only the agency can provide, such as stocking reports and key biological information.
"If we move to eliminate the conditions report, we'd intend to reallocate the resources used for that operation to providing anglers with management insight for designated waters around the state," Hampton said. "Additional possibilities are a segment answering questions from anglers and adding a "hot spots" section where a few waters around the state with good fishing action could be listed."
Before making any decisions, wildlife managers and biologists are hoping to hear from the public who uses the report. Check out some of the private fishing websites listed at the top of today's conditions report and compare the information they provide with what is available in the conditions report. Give us your feedback by sending an email to fish.reporter@state.co.us.
Buying a Fishing Licenses is Easy
2012 licenses are on sale now and valid through March 31, 2013. Grab a license:
Don't forget to get your new license before you head out.
2012 Fishing Forecast
As a service to anglers, Colorado Parks and Wildlife biologists in the Southeast and Southwest Regions published a fishing forecast for their areas. The reports are based on the best information that was available as of April 2012.
Weekly Fishing Report
Anglers wishing to contribute information to the
weekly fishing report should submit their fishing tips or conditions reports to
fish.reporter@state.co.us. The deadline for the weekly fishing report is Mondays at 5 p.m.