Long Range Fish Report
From Sportfishing

Fish Report for 3-31-2021

Photo Credit: Courtesy of AZGF

Anglers can earn cash bonuses during the Brown Trout Bonanza on the Colorado River below Glen Canyon Dam

3-31-2021
Arizona Game & Fish Department

LEES FERRY, Ariz. — Anglers can earn cash rewards and bonuses for participating in the Brown Trout Bonanza on the stretch of the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the Paria River, beginning April 1 and running through May 2.
 
The Bonanza is sponsored by Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in partnership with the Glen Canyon Conservancy. It is part of the Brown Trout Incentivized Harvest Program that began in November 2020 with the offer of a $25 reward for each brown trout turned in over 6 inches. The goal of this program is to determine if the Incentivized Harvest by anglers can help manage and reduce the number of brown trout in this stretch of the Colorado River to help protect native fish species downstream. 
 
Beginning April 1, there is now a $33 reward for each brown trout captured as well as these additional incentives during the Bonanza: 
 
  • Bonus of $50 for each scientific pit tag turned in with brown trout 
  • "Golden ticket" bonus of $300 for each scientific sonic tag turned in
  • $250 bonus for best photography of one or more brown trout captured
  • $250 bonus for best video of a brown trout being captured at Lees Ferry
  • $50 bonus for each three fish turned in during the month
  • $500 bonus for the most brown trout submitted between April 1 and May 2
 
In mid-May 2021, the rewards and bonuses will be paid out to participating anglers by the Glen Canyon Conservancy, which is administering the program for the park. There is no limit on the number of brown trout that can be harvested and turned in for the reward and bonuses during this month-long kick-off event. To participate in the Brown Trout Bonanza program, anglers must have a valid Arizona fishing license. Only artificial lures with barbless hooks are allowed. Arizona fishing licenses can be purchased at https://www.azgfd.com/License/. The Arizona Game and Fish Department fishing regulations can be found at: https://www.azgfd.com/fishing/regulations.
 
For more information about the Bonanza rules and bonuses, as well as the Incentivized Harvest of Brown Trout reward, please visit the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area website at https://www.nps.gov/glca/learn/news/20210310.htm. 
 
Background
The brown trout population in the Colorado River between Glen Canyon Dam and the Paria River has steadily increased since 2014. As adults, brown trout primarily feed on other fish, threatening downstream native fish species. The Incentivized Harvest management option was favored during a public review of potential brown trout mitigation tools when compared with other tools, such as intensive mechanical removal of brown trout or efforts to disturb brown trout spawning. 


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