DENVER — The Colorado Wildlife Commission formally adopted new fishing regulations for 2001-05 during its regular meeting Nov. 16. Colorado anglers will see small, yet important changes in the regulations, including a new statewide daily bag limit for trout and kokanee salmon.

Highlights of changes:

Statewide daily bag limits

One of the most significant changes is a decrease in the statewide daily bag limits of coldwater fish, mostly trout, from eight to four for lakes and streams. A multiday possession of eight fish is allowed. Other coldwater fish affected by this proposed change include splake, salmon (except kokanee), grayling and char.

A reduction in trout stocking has taken place as a result of the Division of Wildlife’s effort to clear hatcheries of whirling disease. In some streams natural reproduction of rainbow trout has been reduced as a result of whirling disease. These two factors weighed heavily in the division’s decision to set tighter limits.

In recent years, bag limits for coldwater fish was eight in most waters east of the Continental Divide. In streams and rivers west of the Divide, the limit was two, and in lakes and ponds it was four. There will, however, be a special two-fish regulation in effect for select waters in the Western Slope. The following waterways are a highlight of what falls under this regulation: Blue River, Colorado River, Eagle River, Fraser River, Gore Creek, Roaring Fork River and Yampa River.

Another change in bag limits includes the reduction from a 40- to 10-fish bag limit for kokanee salmon in most waters. For several years, there has been a shortage of kokanee to stock and Division officials say the limits were reduced in an effort to spread harvest across more anglers, and make more kokanee available for spawn-taking.

Granby Reservoir:

-- Bag and possession limit for lake trout (mackinaw) is two fish, only one greater than 20 inches in length. Under recent regulations, the limit was four, with a special slot release.

--From Jan. 1 through Aug. 31, the daily bag limit for trout and kokanee, except lake trout, is four fish in the aggregate.

--From Sept. 1 through Dec. 31, the daily bag limit is four trout, except lake trout, and 10 kokanee.

The intent of this is to help promote larger kokanee populations in Granby and increase the size of the spawning run, while the new regulation maintains the opportunity to catch a trophy-size lake trout.

Spawning closures:

There will be a spawning closure for Brown Trout on the Tomahawk Wildlife Area near Fairplay. The middle fork of the South Platte will be closed to angling beginning Sept. 1, 2002 through Jan. 31, 2003 Biologists want to study the section to find out if angling pressure and hooking stress on Brown Trout have any influence on overall spawning success and recruitment of young browns. It will be a three-year evaluation. During the public comment period, several anglers representing different chapters of Trout Unlimited in Colorado voiced their opposition to the spawning closure. They agreed that studying stress on Brown Trout during spawning season was important, but did not believe this particular study was appropriate.

Division of Wildlife statewide aquatics manager Eddie Kochman agreed that there was a difference of opinion, but maintained his department’s support of the closure and study. Delaying the closure until 2002 allows Division biologists to collect baseline data for the area.

"Our goal is to study this area and after three years evaluate the answers to the question about limited fishing over spawning Brown Trout and its effects on recruitment," Kochman said.

There also will be similar spring closures in effect for Rainbow Trout on several tributary streams, mostly along the Colorado River in Garfield County.

South Platte River -- Elevenmile Canyon:

A two-and-a-half mile section below the Elevenmile dam changes to catch-and-release angling. Biologists are hoping that the new regulation will result in larger fish moving downstream into the standard regulation section. The Division will begin to stock hatchery-reared fish below the catch and release area in 2001. This area will be open to bait fishing.

Northern Pike and Tiger Muskie: