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July 4th, 2005
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Q. Hello, my name is Erik and I have a question about my stream. Let me give you some info on it that might help you answer my question. The river I have a question about is the Fraser River in Grand County, Colorado. It is the first main stream that flows into the Colorado River. Every summer the fishing is great; then around late October, it's like all the fish disappear and it stays like this until late spring. Where do the fish go and what happens to them?
A.
I know the Fraser; I live in Estes Park and
spent three summers working in the Grand Lake
area. I suspect, but can't prove, that part
of what you are experiencing is the fact that
many trout slow down their metabolic activities,
including feeding activity, as water temperatures
cool down. They also usually seek deeper pools
at this time to avoid getting caught in shallow
water that might freeze. Another possibility
might be related to whether you are observing
natural or stocked fish, although I don't know
anything about current trout populations in terms
of wild fish numbers vs. stocked fish numbers.
If it is heavily stocked and natural reproduction
is low or nonexistent, then you might just be
observing the removal of planted fish as the
season progresses. Your local DOW fish biologist
is more familiar with the situation than I.
~ Bert
If you have a question, please feel free to contact me.
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The 'Stream Doctor' is a retired professional stream ecologist and
author, now living in the West and spending way too much time
fly-fishing. You are invited to submit questions relating to
anything stream related directly to him for use in this Q & A Feature
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