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Prewitt Reservoir is a plains lake located in the northeastern part of Colorado between North Sterling Reservoir and Jackson Lake. The lake has suffered from the years of drought and nearly went dry a few years ago. Fishing is steadily improving and CDOW has been stocking the reservoirs since 2006 with good results. There are no amenities at Prewitt besides a primitive restroom. A road lines most of the perimeter, and shore fishing is easily accessible outside of the private land to the southwest of the lake which is clearly marked.
2009 CDOW Fishing Forecast
Gizzard Shad
Serving as the primary food source for all adult game fish, gizzard shad are the most important prey species in Prewitt Reservoir. Shad abundance has remained stable in recent years. In 2007, 204 shad (29/net) were collected, while 147(25/net) were sampled during 2008.
Catfish
Few channel catfish were collected during the 2007 or 2008 gillnet survey, but anglers often catch large cats at Prewitt. The sampling gear we use combined with the slope of the Prewitt shoreline limits our ability to accurately guage the structure of the catfish population. Only 2 catfish were collected in the 2007 sample with both individuals exceeded 12 pounds (about 7 years old)! Since 2006 the DOW has stocked 150,000 channel cats at fingerling size (2-3”). Catfish anglers should not overlook Prewitt.
Future Management
Based on the success of walleye/saugeye stocking and the lack of wiper success, significantly more walleye/saugeye fingerlings (78,000) and fewer wiper fingerlings (2,000) were stocked in Prewitt during 2008. This strategy will continue in the future. Black crappie and bluegill have traditionally shown minimal success at Prewitt so look for future sunfish stocking to be rerouted to waters which better support these fish.
Walleye
The 2008 gillnet survey indicates walleye fishing, especially for legal fish, should be good during 2008. On average, each walleye measured 17.4” and weighed nearly 2.5 lbs. In total 54 walleye/saugeye were collected (9 per net), with 95% of these fish exceeding 15”. Numbers were down from 2007 when 170 walleye/saugeye were collected, a result of angler harvest and the loss of some fish through the outlet. During 2008, 78,000 saugeye fingerlings and 500,000 walleye fry were stocked in Prewitt. These fish did not show up in the survey (not unusual for young walleye) but will soon take the place of fish harvested in 2009. Among the 4 NE plains reservoirs (Prewitt, Jackson, N. Sterling, and Jumbo), Prewitt had the highest density of 15”+ walleye/saugeye. The 2009 net survey will check the status of the 2008 stocking so check back this fall to gauge the degree of success.
Wiper/White Bass/ Stripped Bass
Collectively known as temperate bass, wiper, white bass, and striped bass, each were stocked in Prewitt during 2007. Previously only wiper had been stocked. Despite stocking nearly 3 million temperate bass (mainly wiper) since 2006, overall abundance was very low. Survival of the stocked fry may have been negatively impacted by cold water temperatures at the time of stocking, reservoir draw down, or simply the lack of detection by the sampling gear. Wiper fishing seems to be much better at Jackson Lake or North Sterling Reservoir.
Relative Abundance From Fish Surveys
2007 2008
Walleye/Saugeye 36.2% 21.1%
Wiper 0.9% 1.2%
White Bass 2.8% 0.0%
Striped Bass 0.4% 2.3%
Channel Catfish 0.4% 0.4%
Black Crappie 0.9% 2.3%
Northern Pike 0.9% 3.1%
Gizzard Shad 43.5% 57.4%
Common Carp 11.1% 8.6%
River Carp Sucker 3.0% 0.8%
Rainbow Trout 0.0% 2.7%
Getting there: Take I-76 NE from Fort Morgan to exit 102. Travel north 1 mile to Highway 76 to Exit 102 you go north towards Merino. Then you turn right onto HWY 6 (towards Merino). Turn Right onto CR 59 to enter the Park.
Fees: CDOW Habitat Stamp needed.
Boating: Wakeless. Boat inspections began May 1, from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m., 7 days a week. The ramp will be closed at night. Beginning in August 2009 when recreational use decreases, the ramp will be open Thursday through Monday from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. The ramp will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited.
No motor restrictions. Boating prohibited if it creates a whitewater wake. Boating prohibited Oct. 1 through last day of regular goose season, except hand-propelled craft used to set and pick up decoys and retrieve downed waterfowl.
Waterskiing prohibited. Sailing and windsurfing prohibited except during July and Aug.
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing allowed only within 50 yards of dam
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