Author Archives: Jerry L. Neal

2017 Fishing Guide Available Now!

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2017-Fishing-Guide-cover

The 2017 Colorado Outdoors Fishing Guide is now available! With more that 9,000 miles of rivers and some 2000 lakes and reservoirs, Colorado is truly an angler’s paradise. Get the most out of your time on the water this year by purchasing the 2017 Colorado Outdoors Fishing Guide.

Learn techniques for catching mountain whitefish. Discover the monumental fly fishing opportunities of Fossil Ridge Wilderness Area. Read about catching South Park’s trophy northern pike and see a complete guide to fishing Denver metro waters. You’ll find all this and more in the 2017 Fishing Guide. Get your copy today! 
 
The 2017 Fishing Guide is a special edition of Colorado Outdoors magazine. You can receive it free with an annual subscription!

Fishing the ‘Burbs: Small Suburban Ponds Offer Big Fun for Anglers

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fish for blog 2

Most suburban ponds have good populations of small bluegills, sunfish and other warm-water species.

Although Colorado’s big lakes and reservoirs get most of the angling attention and accolades, small suburban lakes and ponds often boast great fishing and provide hours of close-to-home fun.

Conveniently located in neighborhood parks and greenbelts, these easy-to-access waters are a great place to unwind after a long day of work or to simply find a little solitude without venturing too far off the beaten path.

They are also the perfect locations to take kids fishing. In fact, some of my earliest (and fondest) memories of fishing with my dad took place at ponds in the Lakewood, Golden and Wheat Ridge areas.

At a particular pond near my dad’s apartment home, I remember catching fish nearly every cast on my little Zebco rod/reel combo. As a 5-year-old boy, there was nothing more thrilling than seeing a bluegill or bass pull my red and white bobber under the surface. I also remember the fun of catching my own grasshoppers and worms to use as bait. In addition to providing an enjoyable father/son activity, it was these early experiences that played an important role in developing my lifelong passion for fishing and the outdoors. Read more

Angler Catches State-Record Bass Below John Martin Reservoir

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29lb 5oz Striper

Harvey Shade poses with his state-record striped bass. Shade caught the 29-pound fish below John Martin Reservoir on May 6.

Harvey Shade has fished John Martin Reservoir for years. In that time, Shade has caught plenty of fish, but none measured up to the one he caught on May 6, 2017.

Shade, 64, who resides in Eads, now holds the state record for the biggest striped bass in Colorado: The fish tipped the scales at 29 pounds, 5 ounces and measured 39 inches long. The football-shaped bass also boasted an impressive 25.5-inch girth.

Shade’s striped bass, commonly known as a striper, bested the previous record by a whopping 13 pounds. The last record striper, caught in 2016 from Prewitt Reservoir, weighed 16 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 35 3/8 inches long. Read more

May/June 2017 Issue of Colorado Outdoors Available Now!

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May-June 2017 cover

The May/June 2017 issue of Colorado Outdoors magazine is available now. This issue features a summary of Colorado’s top springtime fishing destinations, an article on prairie dog management and an in-depth story about Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Natural Areas Program.

Pick up your copy or subscribe today! Click HERE to see a full contents page and to order back issues of Colorado Outdoors magazine.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife Celebrates 120th Anniversary

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Established in April of 1897, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has conserved and protected Colorado’s fish, wildlife and public lands for 120 years. CPW dedicates this video to the citizens of Colorado and the employees, past and present, who have contributed to this important mission. CPW thanks sportsmen and women, outdoor recreationists and all those who love Colorado’s wildlife and wild places for their continued support.

Wildlife Crossings Protect Motorists and Big-Game Animals Alike.

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If you’ve lived in Colorado long enough, chances are you’ve had an accident or near miss with a deer or other wildlife. In an effort to reduce wildlife/vehicle collisions and protect big-game animals, CDOT, Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and local residents and governments joined forces to develop a series of wildlife crossings on Highway 9 in Grand County. The innovative project is the first of its kind in Colorado and has reduced collisions by more than 90 percent.

The video below offers a detailed look at this innovative project and documents its early success.

Hay for Haxtun (CPW Helps Eastern Plains Landowner)

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haxtun fire

A home burns in northeast Colorado. Photo by Brian Biesemeier.

In early March, a wildfire in northeast Colorado burned more than 30,000 acres near Haxtun, destroying several homes, thousands of acres of agricultural fields and an untold number of outbuildings.

Last week, Colorado Parks & Wildlife donated approximately 66 bales of hay to help a landowner who was affected by the fire. Wildlife managers transported the hay from Tarryall Reservoir and Cline Ranch state wildlife areas in South Park. The hay will help the rancher feed his livestock until grazing lands recover.

Area Wildlife Manager Todd Schmidt talks about the fire and the hay donation in the video below:

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Colorado’s Top Springtime Fishing Destinations

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dougs with fish

Early spring is an ideal time to catch lake trout (Mackinaw). Photo by Jerry Neal/CPW.

If you’re a fisherman, there’s no better time to fish Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs than early spring. Not only is it a great time of year to shake off your cabin fever, but many trophy sized rainbow, cutthroat, cutbow and brown trout are caught in those first days and weeks after ice-out. If those weren’t enough reasons to make you want to grab your fishing rod and tackle box, spring is also the best time to catch lake trout (aka Mackinaw) — a species that can reach upwards of 50 pounds in Colorado.

Although many of Colorado’s lakes and reservoirs offer excellent fishing, the following waters provide exceptional fishing opportunities this spring: Read more

Colorado Outdoors March/April 2017 Issue Available Now!

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Mar-Apr 2017 Cover

Have you seen the March/April 2017 issue of Colorado Outdoors? In this issue you’ll read about fishing the Yampa River, learn how to fish the many backcountry lakes in the Rio Grande National Forest and discover how donating your tax refund can help support endangered and nongame wildlife.

Pick up your copy or subscribe today! Click HERE to see a full contents page and to order back issues of Colorado Outdoors magazine.

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