The answers to the latest round of questions are below in bold.
One question that continues to come up is this: If SMB are reproducing prolifically, how can we say that the fish are not suited to that water? Answer: SMB will eventually become stunted in size as they over-populate and consume more and more of the prey base. And the water, overall, is too cold for them to grow to the size of NFL footballs like they do in the south and midwest.
I've heard that people are catching SMB on worms at Miramonte. So, get up there, haul out as many as you can and have a nice fish fry.
And just for the record, my last name is spelled 'Lewandowski.' You know, with a name like that, wel,l I'm a little sensitive!
Q AND A
1.Dangley ask Mr. Lewindiski (Lewandowski)how having Small Mouth in Miramonte is going to affect the Colorado River. I do not promote bucket biology but the reasoning of to protect native fishes does not jive as there are other impoundments along the Colorado River right here in Colorado have Small Mouth, Large Mouth, Pike, numerous other non-native why are these impoundments are not being poisoned as well??
No direct impact on the Colorado River. SMB will negatively impact native fish (roundtail chub, bluehead sucker, flannelmouth sucker) of the San Miguel and Dolores Rivers. All reservoirs cannot be treated due to size and other circumstances.
2. What is the estimated total cost to the CPW of poisoning the lake (including chemicals, labor, drawdown expenses, restocking and any other fees)?
As was stated in the press release the cost for chemicals, supplies, equipment and personnel time will be approximately $100,000.
3. Is there any plan by the CPW to charge a fee to the reservoir subsequent to the operation to attempt to reclaim a portion the money spent on this project?
No, CPW does not charge for entry to state wildlife areas in western Colorado.
4. Why was the decision made to invest this money in 'Miramonte instead of improving other, more popular fisheries in the state?
Miramonte is a valuable and productive trout fishery in Colorado. It is an important fishery to the local economy and southwest Colorado accounting for an estimated 20,000 angler days/year and $1.5 million to the local economy.
5. How is any of this going to stop someone from stocking bass again?
We cannot provide a guarantee. We hope for help from the angling public and ethical sportsmen and sportswomen.
6. How will the poison from Miramonte affect waters downstream or in the event of a flood?
There will be no affect on downstream waters. Rotenone in the lake will be neutralized before any water is released downstream.
7. In reference to the Clear Creek incident, can you guarantee that the poison will only affect the reservoir and not the river? If not, why take that risk?
There is always a risk. However, we plan to take steps to minimize the risk by monitoring rotenone levels in the lake throughout the treatment and will not release any water until we have determined that the rotenone is neutralized.
8. As it was mentioned in another post on the subject (I think Abel said it)...why not take the money spent (and the money that will be lost by having a dead and empty lake for a season at least, if not 2-3) and invest in some larger brood stock? It worked out in Spinney by stocking larger trout instead of fingerlings. If Miramonte grows fish as fast as they say, putting in 8-12" fish instead of fingerlings will be producing trophy trout in a year and many more will survive the smallmouth. We have proof in many waters across Colorado that you indeed CAN have a trophy predator and trophy trout lake in the same water, you just have to adjust how the stocking is handled a bit.
Miramonte is managed as a “put and grow” trout fishery where fingerling trout are stocked and allowed to grow to quality size. This is an efficient and inexpensive way to provide a quality trout fishery for all Colorado anglers. Stocked fingerlings develop healthy “wild trout” characteristics, making them a desirable sport fish. Growing trout to catchable size in a hatchery is very expensive way to manage a reservoir like Miramonte. Catchable sized trout will be stocked shortly after the treatment, so fishing opportunity will be available. Fingerlings will also be stocked and will eventually grow to catchable size.
9. Can you be 100% the smallies won't return on their own?
We plan to use techniques to completely treat the lake and inlet streams to remove all fish. Drawing the lake down allows us to be more effective with the treatment as much of the shallow and inaccessible areas are dried out, concentrating the fish in deeper water.
10. If the spreading of SMB downstream is the primary concern and reasoning behind the poisoning of a productive fishery that the local community relies on as a source of revenue simply because the SMB will prey upon the native species such as Pikeminnow & Chubs, would it not be less expensive to put an electric dispersal barrier or something to that effect like they are doing in the Great Lakes to inhibit the spread of Asian Carp?
The technology is not flawless. Electric barriers do not block all life-stages of fish. Operating them is expensive and labor intensive.
11. Ask him the date of the planned kill off please. You and I could make a day of it and drive up to watch the process in action. Maybe get a little fishing in beforehand?
As was stated in the press release, late summer 2013. A date will be announced next summer.
12. Also with a kill date what are they using to toxify these fish. Are they going to be salvaged? Will they still be edible, can I go net them up if they are?
Thanks again- Erik
As was stated in the press release, we will use Rotenone, which is an EPA registered and approved fish pesticide used to control fish populations throughout North America. A “public fish salvage order” will be put in place before the treatment that will allow maximum harvest by licensed anglers.
