Gill lice have been blamed for a sizable die-off of kokanee salmon at Elevenmile Reservoir, a problem that contributed to lag in Division of Wildlife October egg-taking activities at the South Platte River inlet.
Biologists concluded in 2006 that the mortality affected only large fish. But a subsequent sonar survey indicated that all ages of salmon were impacted at the popular impoundment, causing a substantial decline in angling success as well.
Warmer temperature during summer of 2006 is blamed for the malady. All species of trout are generally less impacted by gill lice. No trout die-off was observed.
DOW has continued to stock kokanee in the lake. The first-year class of catchable salmon should be available during the 2008-09 ice season.
Ice tournament.
Elevenmile Marina will host the first of three ice fishing tournaments, the Grand Slam, on Jan. 5. A second event, South Park Ice Masters, is scheduled for Feb. 2, followed by Marina March Madness, scheduled for March 8.
All are team events for anglers 18 years and older. For information, 719-748-0317 or .
Standley permits.
Starting Jan. 7, boaters may obtain permit applications for the 2008 boating season at Standley Lake. A lottery system will be used to issue the 550 available permits.
The applications will be available at the Standley Park Visitor Center, 100th Avenue at Simms Street, along with parks and library offices at the Westminster City Building, 4800 W. 92nd Ave.
Forms must be submitted at the Visitor Center from Jan. 23-Feb. 13.
Feeding the hungry.
The Colorado Chapter of Hunters Feeding the Hungry, in conjunction with Steve’s Meats, contributed 4,000 pounds of processed wild game meat to the Denver Rescue Mission following the recently concluded hunting season.
