DENTRY: Antero Reservoir needs break to survive

By Ed Dentry, Rocky Mountain News (Contact)

Published May 20, 2008 at 8:16 p.m.

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The verdict is in on the depth of Antero Reservoir's fish loss, and it reads something like this:

Give it a break. The winter kill under ice and snow wasn't total. But combined with summer kill caused by hot water and hard treatment at the hands of anglers last year, more than half of Antero's trout population has been wiped out.

"We lost the majority of big fish. Those 18- to 24-inch rainbows took the brunt of the loss," Division of Wildlife biologist Jeff Spohn said.

With winter kill and last summer's heat and hooking mortality, the damage comes to 53 percent of trout gone. Luckily, Spohn said, most of the smaller fish were spared and are expected to grow quickly.

The biologist finished his examination of the popular reservoir last week and was relieved the bitter winter didn't kill everything that swims. "Our saving grace is those subcatchable Snake River cutthroats that went in (at 3 inches) in September and October," Spohn said. "They are 8 to 10 inches right now."

Antero grows fish fast, so those cutthroat trout should reach 18-20 inches by October. Smaller cutbows and splake also survived.

Meanwhile, stocking trucks recently delivered 4,500 catchable-size rainbows and splake, plus thousands of 3-inch brook trout, browns, splake and a few McConaughy rainbows.

About 6,500 more catchable- sized rainbows probably will be stocked in Antero in coming weeks. After that, the cupboard will be empty, with remaining catchable trout destined for other South Park waters.

Spohn said a few big trout survived the winter, but Antero needs time to recover.

It probably helps that trailered boats currently are not allowed on Antero (because of Denver Water rules regarding the possible spread of zebra mussels).

Float tubes and other hand- carried craft are allowed, but anglers are advised to fish elsewhere.

"We're trying to steer people to other places. Let's give Antero a little break for a while," Spohn said. "That will help bring back the fishery quicker."

NATIVE TROUT ENDANGERED: The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has taken the first step to list the Rio Grande cutthroat trout as a federally endangered species.

The FWS published a formal notice May 14 in the Federal Register recommending the trout be listed because of "imminent threats" to its existence.

Rio Grande cutthroat trout are native to New Mexico and southern Colorado. Habitat loss and hybridization with non- native rainbow trout have reduced their distribution to less than 10 percent of their historic range.

Under the Endangered Species Act, Rio Grande cutthroats would qualify for government assistance and protection. But the FWS recommends no measures be taken immediately.

The species likely will join a federal backlog of threatened and endangered species needing action.

WILDLIFE ISSUES: Hunters and anglers who wish to share ideas about wildlife matters in northeastern Colorado are invited to a meeting June 3 at the DOW Hunter Education Building, 6060 Broadway.

The Sportsmen's Advisory Group meeting will start 6 p.m.

Solunar table

* This schedule of Solunar Periods has been taken from Mrs. Richard Alden Knight's Solunar Tables. For best results, plan your days so you will be fishing or hunting in good territory during these times. The Major Periods last 1-2 hours. The Minor Periods are shorter.

A.M. P.M.

Day Minor Major Minor Major

Today 6:20 12:05 6:45 12:35

Thursday 7:15 1:05 7:45 1:30

Friday 8:10 2:00 8:40 2:25

Saturday 9:05 2:55 9:35 3:20

Sunday 9:55 3:45 10:25 4:10

Monday 10:50 4:40 11:15 5:00

Tuesday 11:35 5:25 - 5:50

Fishing hot spot: Vallecito Reservoir

* Why here? The reservoir is gaining a reputation as a trophy fishery for northern pike. It also has plenty of decent-sized trout.

* What's hot? Pike cruise the shallows into mid-June.

* Tackle box: For pike, large, rainbow-trout-imitating Rapalas and streamer flies; for trout, spinners, salmon eggs, Power Bait and flies.

* Best times: Mornings and evenings.

* How to get there: From Denver, travel to Bayfield in southwestern Colorado. From Bayfield, turn north onto Road 501 and proceed 10 miles to the reservoir.

* Fish tales: Show off photos of fish you've caught or look at other anglers' big catches. Go to RockyMountainNews.com/ your-space/ and click on "Landing The Big One."

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