Anglers encouraged to catch illegally introduced northern pike at Kenney Reservoir, earn $20 per fish

CPW Weekly News Release had this article in this weeks Fishing News and Events.

https://cpw.state.co.us/Lists/News%20Releases/DispForm.aspx?ID=6954&RootFolder=%2FLists%2FNews%20Releases&Source=https%3A%2F%2Fcpw%2Estate%2Eco%2Eus%2Fthingstodo%2FPages%2FFishing%2DEvents%2Easpx

RANGELY, Colo. - The illegal, unapproved relocation of fish from one body of water to another continues to cause significant problems for management agencies, water providers and ethical anglers across Colorado.

Recently joining the list of reservoirs impacted by the presence of illegally introduced northern pike is northwest Colorado's Kenney Reservoir. In the fall of 2018, Colorado Parks and Wildlife aquatic biologists confirmed the presence of the nonnative predator in the estimated 335-surface-acre reservoir located near the town of Rangely. Authorities believe the northern pike were most likely dumped illegally into the reservoir, or the White River, by a 'bucket biologist,' a pejorative term used to describe someone that moves live fish in an effort to create their own personal, unapproved fishery.

"Releasing fish unlawfully and selfishly is self-defeating and will not work as intended," said Lori Martin, CPW’s Northwest Region senior aquatic biologist. "Because northern pike are indiscriminate predators and consume any fish they catch, we will not throw our hands in the air and ignore the problem. We will take action one way or another to deal with this illegal introduction because it is very harmful and the stakes are so high. This hurt existing fisheries and it certainly has negative impacts on anglers, the majority of whom are law-abiding and ethical."

CPW says illegal fish stocking can result in fines up to $5,000 and the permanent loss of hunting and fishing privileges. In addition, anyone convicted of illegal fish dumping will likely have to pay up to hundreds of thousands of dollars to reclaim the body of water.

To read more click on the link above.