GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KJCT) – As anglers start spending their weekends in the water, Colorado Parks and Wildlife says to take extra caution in keeping aquatics nuisance species out.

Officials say to properly clean equipment and to drain all water out of your boat and let it dry completely. These practices will help keep invasive species, like zebra mussels, out of local water.

Recreational fishing plays a crucial role in fishery management. The CPW works with anglers to manage the biodiversity of the water. Anglers can contribute by harvesting fish that CPW doesn’t want in a certain body of water, help increase growth of certain populations and reduce disease concerns.

“Angling is a huge part of what we do as an agency, both within our mission and as we’re managing these fisheries as well,” Ben Felt, the Northwest Region Senior Aquatic Biologist for Colorado Parks and Wildlife, said. “Fishing is very important for the environment.”

Felt said that fishing is important because it is a way that people connect with the environment. He said that growing up fishing gave him a passion that led into his current career.

“I know that was instrumental for me in me becoming a fish biologist for this agency.”

Fishing licenses can be bought online or at the local CPW office. Licenses purchased for the season can be used for 13 months.

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