Hatchery staff at the Roaring Judy hatchery collected 11 million eggs from kokanee salmon running out of
Blue Mesa Reservoir this fall, a record harvest which ensures that it and 26 other reservoirs that rely on stocking will receive an ample supply of salmon fry next spring.
This fall’s record eclipsed the previous mark of 9.2 million eggs harvested in 1993 and more than doubled the 5.4 million eggs taken in 2010.
Despite the good news, biologists say much more work needs to be done before they declare the population of kokanee salmon in the 9,000-acre reservoir recovered.
Kokanee numbers have declined precipitously during the past 10 years as the population of predatory lake trout boomed, knocking the fishery out of balance.
Fishing Is Fun Program
This grant cycle, Fishing Is Fun has $900,000 in available matching funds to distribute to selected projects. Projects that improve angler access, fish habitat and angling conditions can receive matching funding from the Fishing Is Fun program.
During the past 24 years, Fishing Is Fun has provided assistance with more than 270 projects statewide, including projects to open new ponds and lakes, improve fish habitat in streams and rivers and add trails, shade shelters and parking areas.
Municipalities, counties, angler groups, and park and recreation departments are among those eligible to apply for community-based projects that will benefit anglers. The deadline to apply for the 2012 Fishing Is Fun funding cycle is March 1, 2012.
Visit the Fishing is Fun Program for the guidelines, application and additional information.