For me one of the original attractions to Fish Explorer was the amount of information available, especially “current” information on lakes and reservoirs. While not always, it frequently was and still remains some of the best. Why? It’s due to you, the members making contributions and the monitoring by the lake skippers and Mark, our Reports Editor. So when I saw Mark’s forum posts concerning lake updates and the need for skippers, I emailed him and requested permission to reproduce them in a blog.
Just to reemphasize how important your input is. If everyone contributed conditions reports (not fishing reports) we’d all have a much better feel for what to expect before heading out the door to any particular lake. So just in case you missed Mark’s posts, here are the combined posts with minimal editing.
In addition to spring, this time of year is when lake updates really help everyone! Lakes will start to get ice, boat ramps start closing, and not to mention the fish start biting!
I would like to ask all members to please submit a "Lake Update" every time you fish, by clicking on the red link towards the top of this page or while you are starting a new post, if you pick the lake you can check a box which will take you directly to the lake update page once you submit your post. To save time from having to type twice, you can copy & paste the information.
Here is a list of lakes in need of a skipper. Please review the list and if you fish one of these lakes on a regular basis and log into the site on a regular basis, please apply for the position.
1. Boyd Lake
2. Stagecoach Reservoir
3. Shadow Mountain Lake
4. Grand Lake
5. John Martin Reservoir
6. Vallecito Reservoir
7. Trinidad Lake
8. Steamboat Lake
9. Pearl Lake
10. Paonia Reservoir
11. Seymour Lake
12. Cowdrey Lake
13. McPhee Reservoir
14. Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake)
15. Trappers Lake
16. Jackson Gulch Reservoir
17. Elkhead Reservoir
18. Clear Creek Reservoir (Granite)
19. Echo Canyon Reservoir
20. Williams Creek Reservoir
21. Willow Creek Reservoir
22. Ridgway Reservoir
23. Ruedi Reservoir
24. Sanchez Reservoir
25. Barker Reservoir
26. St. Vrain State Park (Barbour Ponds)
The "Lake Skipper" program is a great way for you to help give back to the Fish Explorer community and help us expand our database of lakes. Skippers will have real-time control over the conditions displayed for the lake they have committed to. Updating water temperature, level, and additional information is very quick and easy to do. (Please note Mark like the rest of us is asking for conditions information, not fishing secretes).
The position is completely voluntary and we ask that only those members able to commit to updating a lake on a regular basis apply. If you are only able to update a lake once or twice a month, we may try to form a team of Skippers for that lake, so please apply.
Fish Explorer will provide the following for committed Lake Skippers:
Bio page with photo gallery
Email notification when a forum post is submitted for assigned lake
"Lake Skipper" designation on your forum posts
Skipper featured on Lake Detail page for assigned lake
Access to quick update form for real-time lake updates, bypassing approval system
Ability to approve and edit conditions reports sent in by other members
View historical conditions data for assigned lake
Skippers commit to the following:
Regular lake updates (preferably at least every 10 days, such as water temperature, water levels, etc.)
As necessary for assigned lake: general content revisions, improvements, and corrections, such as camping information changes, closures/openings, construction, regulation changes, photographs, links, contacts, events for the calendar, etc.
Participation in forum for members needing assistance with lake
We ask that you be honest, helpful, and considerate in representing Fish Explorer. Since Lake Skippers take a more official role in the website than standard members you will be held to high standards in regards to your participation in the forum and in any other manner regarding Fish Explorer.
With your help we can continue to expand and make Fish Explorer the ultimate resource for fishing in Colorado.
Note Mark can be contacted at mark403@fishexplorer.com.
