Colorado Is Paying Anglers $10,000 to Catch This Invasive Fish

For outdoors enthusiasts, Colorado is essentially a playground, which is why those who enjoy hunting, fishing, skiing, hiking, and rock climbing flock to the state.

Hunting and fishing are also essential for controlling the population of various types of wildlife in the state, and for the fifth year in a row, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is offering big money to anglers who contribute to controlling the population of a predatory type of fish in one of the most popular spots for fishing.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Blue Mesa Lake Trout Tournament

In 2026, the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife will once again be offering a total of $10,000 worth of prize money to anglers who contribute the most to controlling the population of a predatory type of fish known as lake trout.

The contest is currently taking place at Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison, Colorado, and will run through April 30, 2026, with a total of $10,000 being offered to a total of 24 anglers who catch the most lake trout 24 inches in length or smaller.

The angler who catches the most lake trout 24 inches in length or smaller during the contest period will receive a cash prize of $3,000, while second place will receive $1,500, third place will receive $1,000, and fourth place will receive $500.

In addition, any angler who participates in the contest and doesn’t catch enough lake trout to win any of the top four prizes will be entered into a drawing where 20 participants will each win a $200 prize.

Lake trout are considered to be a predatory species of fish due to the fact that they prey on a species of salmon known as kokanee, which are also present in Blue Mesa Reservoir.

Read More: Is Colorado’s Snow Drought Contributing to Wildlife Encounters?

Learn more about Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s 2026 Blue Mesa Lake Trout Tournament here.