Anglers in western Colorado are about to get hooked on a new challenge. After a multi-year effort spearheaded by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW), sterile walleye will soon join the ranks of Ridgway Reservoir’s thriving fish population. This introduction marks a significant step towards diversifying the state’s fishing opportunities while carefully protecting native species.

“We’re always exploring ways to enhance Colorado’s incredible angling experiences,” said CPW aquatic biologist Eric Gardunio. “By bringing walleye to Ridgway, we’re creating a whole new dimension for fishing enthusiasts, and doing so in a way that safeguards our responsibility to the Upper Colorado River Basin’s ecosystem.”

A Meticulous Process

The addition of walleye to Ridgway Reservoir isn’t a spur-of-the-moment decision. CPW has worked closely with partners like the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and fisheries management agencies in Utah and Wyoming to develop a comprehensive Lake Management Plan. This plan ensures any new fish species aligns with the reservoir’s long-term health.

Two critical components of the plan were to introduce only sterile walleye and to equip Ridgway Reservoir with a containment barrier. This barrier, a collaboration between CPW, the Upper Colorado River Endangered Fish Recovery Program, and other stakeholders, prevents accidental downstream migration of walleye and smallmouth bass.

Why Sterile Walleye?

Sterile walleye offer fisheries managers a unique advantage. Without the ability to reproduce, their population can be carefully controlled through strategic stocking, preventing potential issues that could arise with traditional introductions.

“Sterile walleye give us the chance to finely calibrate the reservoir’s population dynamics,” explained Gardunio. “We can maintain the abundance of smaller fish that larger predators rely on, ensuring a well-balanced system.”

A Balancing Act

Ridgway Reservoir, a sprawling 1,000-surface-acre expanse, will begin receiving a yearly stocking of 30,000 walleye fingerlings this May. The conservative stocking rate is intentional, according to CPW, designed to monitor impacts on other species and the reservoir’s overall health.

With abundant white suckers, yellow perch, smallmouth bass, and crayfish already established, the walleye will have a healthy food supply. Their presence will also assist in keeping the smallmouth bass population in check.

“We see the walleye introduction as a way to enhance, not disrupt, the fantastic fishing Ridgway already offers,” said Ridgway State Park Manager, Johnathan Freeborn “Our trophy brown trout fishery will remain a draw, but the walleye will create an entirely new dimension to the experience.”

Patience is Key

While the park anticipates a wave of walleye-focused anglers, CPW emphasizes it will take time for the fishery to mature. Anglers should expect three to five years before the first batch of stocked fish reach a desirable size of 14-16 inches.

Expanding Horizons

Ridgway Reservoir’s upcoming walleye population is part of CPW’s broader initiative to diversify fishing experiences across western Colorado. Recent projects like bolstering warm water species in Delta’s Sweitzer Lake and introducing unique varieties like tiger trout in high mountain lakes all speak to this commitment.

“Anglers told us they were eager for more variety, especially when it comes to warm water fishing,” Gardunio affirmed. “We take pride in listening to those on the water, and finding ways to sustainably deliver what they’re looking for.”

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2024