GUNNISON, Colo. – Effective management of lake trout in Blue Mesa Reservoir contributed to Colorado Parks and Wildlife seeing its best kokanee salmon spawning season in the last six years in 2025. The public can continue to assist the state’s management of the fishery by participating in the 2026 Blue Mesa Lake Trout Tournament.

CPW will again offer up $10,000 in prize money for those who participate in this year’s harvest-incentive tournament. This will be the fifth edition of the tournament and is being held Jan. 1 through April 30, 2026 at Blue Mesa Reservoir.

“This tournament has proven to be both popular with the angling community and incredibly beneficial in working to meet our management goals of the Blue Mesa Reservoir fishery,” said CPW aquatic biologist Giulio Del Piccolo. “We greatly appreciate the public’s help and support of this tournament.”

This tournament helps aquatic biologists maintain adequate kokanee salmon fry survival by limiting predation from lake trout. Maintaining abundant kokanee supports quality-fishing opportunities for kokanee and provides a source of kokanee eggs for restocking needs at up to 29 waters in Colorado. Abundant kokanee are also essential for maintaining continued growth and condition of trophy Lake Trout at Blue Mesa Reservoir.
 
Unchecked lake trout population growth caused significant declines in kokanee abundance in previous decades. Previous tournaments in 2020 and 2021 greatly helped CPW keep lake trout populations in check. But a survey of the reservoir in 2024 documented that the abundance of lake trout was on the rise. That same year, CPW had its lowest egg take (1,226,362) during kokanee spawning out of Blue Mesa since 1975.

In 2025, anglers turned in 2,770 heads from lake trout that measured 24 inches or less, which was the most since the inaugural year of the tournament in 2020.  In the fall of 2025, the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery took in 3,183,462 eggs from fish running out of Blue Mesa up the East River. That was the highest total at that location since 2019.

“A convergence of unfavorable conditions including low water level, abundant small Lake Trout, and gill lice produced a series of poor Kokanee returns over the past few years,” Del Piccolo said. “I expected a higher egg take this fall due to improved reservoir conditions and successful lake trout management, but I was pleasantly surprised how much better it was. I am hopeful that reservoir conditions will remain favorable and next year will be even better.”

However, surveys suggest there are still more than 20,000 lake trout less than 24 inches in Blue Mesa. Because of that, CPW will once again offer cash prizes to encourage participation in another tournament.

“Ongoing harvest of small lake trout continues to be needed to maintain kokanee numbers at appropriate levels while also benefitting trophy lake trout production,” Del Piccolo said. “Lake trout are prolific, and our research has proven that smaller lake trout 24 inches and smaller consume the most kokanee. That’s why we target those fish in the tournament.”

To participate in the tournament, anglers who harvest a lake trout 24 inches or smaller should cut the fish’s head off behind the gills and turn the heads into a collection point. There are three collection points at Blue Mesa Reservoir at the Elk Creek, Iola and Lake Fork marinas. Heads can also be turned in at CPW’s offices in Gunnison and Montrose.

Four top prizes will be given out in 2026. The angler who turns in the most fish heads will earn the first-place prize of $3,000. The second-place award is $1,500, third place will take home $1,000 and fourth place will earn $500.

Anglers that missed out on the top four prizes will be entered into a raffle for one of twenty $200 prizes with one entry for every head submitted.

All winners from the tournament will be notified by May 31, 2026. Anglers participating in the tournament must possess a valid Colorado fishing license and follow all Colorado boating and fishing regulations.

Anglers are reminded to always be aware of ice conditions before setting out. Always follow ice safety guidelines and come prepared with proper safety and self-rescue equipment.

“Because of warm temperatures, we currently only have ice on Iola Basin,” Del Piccolo said. “We are hopeful that will change, but we have seen recent years where we went all winter without great ice conditions. Always err on the side of caution and be on the lookout for signs of unsafe ice.”

When venturing onto the ice, remember these ice safety tips:

• Never go onto the ice alone. A buddy may be able to call for help if you fall in. Also, never attempt to walk out onto the ice to rescue a friend because you will risk falling through the ice as well.
• Avoid alcoholic beverages while on the ice. Alcohol increases your chances for hypothermia, which is the rapid loss of body temperature.
• Always wear a life jacket or personal flotation device (PFD) over winter clothing. Life jackets can provide excellent flotation and protection from hypothermia.
• Assemble a personal safety kit. Always wear a safety kit on your body when going out onto the ice. Safety kits should include an ice pick, rope and a whistle to call for help.
• Always keep your pets on a leash. Never allow your dog to run out onto the ice and never walk your dog near a frozen lake or pond without a leash. If your dog falls through the ice, do not attempt a rescue. Go for help.
• Reach-Throw-Go. If you can’t reach the person from shore, throw them a flotation device or a rope. If you still can’t help the person quickly-go for help.

If you do fall through the ice, remember these tips:  

• Do not panic. Try to remain calm to conserve as much energy as possible. Try to get your arms onto the ice and kick as hard as you can with your feet to help lift you onto the ice, and then roll to safety. If you can’t get out of the cold water by yourself, take appropriate actions to extend your survival time while waiting to be rescued.
• Do not swim. Swimming will cause your body to lose heat much faster than if you stay as still as possible.
• Act slowly and deliberately to conserve heat. Expect a progressive decrease in your strength and ability to move. Make the harder maneuvers at the beginning, while you can.
• Keep your upper body above water. Keep your head and upper body as far out of the water as reasonably possible to conserve body heat.