Colorado Fishing Brochure 2012 : Page 7REFERENCE 2012 Colorado Fishing ILLEGAL STOCKING: PROTECT YOUR FISHERIES Illegally moving fish from one river or lake to another can wipe out fish-eries, take away fishing opportuni-ties and waste angler dollars. Anyone caught moving fish illegally may be fined up to $5,000, can lose hunting and fishing privileges and may be held liable for the costs of eradication or removal. CPW of-ficials are evaluating additional steps to combat this destructive activity. REFERENCE ! REPORT IT! If you have information about illegal stocking activity, contact OPERATION GAME THIEF . • Illegally moving fish from one wa-ter to another can spread disease. Some of these, such as whirling disease, can cost millions of dol-lars to combat. You can remain anony-mous and may be eligible for a reward. WHAT YOU CAN DO game.thief@state.co.us or call 1-877-265-6648 the system and lessen the quality of fishing overall. • Once an illegally stocked fish popula-tion has become established, the only recourse is to start over by treating the lake to kill ALL the fish. Treatments can cost millions of dollars. It also requires money that could be spent on improving fishing opportunities for anglers like you. WHY ILLEGAL STOCKING IS A PROBLEM © CPW Stocking waters with fish, unwanted aquatic pets or other species is illegal and can damage a water system. • Biologists have stopped stocking fish in some lakes because il-legally introduced fish eat most or all of the stocked fish. This wastes your license dollars. • Illegally stocked fish compete for food and space with the fish that belong in lakes and streams. This can change the whole ecology of • Do not move fish from one body of water to another. Collection and transportation of wild-caught live bait is restricted in the state. Know these rules and follow them if you use live bait. • On waters that have no bag and possession limits on certain species, you are encouraged to keep those fish. “No-bag” limits are often established to aid in the management of species that were illegally stocked or are no longer desired. • Report illegal stocking activity to Operation Game Thief. LICENSE REQUIREMENTS 1. ADULTS — People 16 and older are required to buy and carry with them a fishing license to fish or take fish, amphibians and crustaceans, except as noted in this brochure. dents on active duty with U.S. armed forces out of state can fish free without a license while here on temporary leave, maximum of 30 days a year. You must carry official leave papers while fishing. 2. YOUTH — Those under 16 can take a full bag and 3. SENIORS — Colorado residents 64 and older can possession limit without a license. However, they must have a second-rod stamp if fishing with a second line. obtain an annual fishing license from a Wildlife Service Center or license agent for $1, which consists of the 25-cent search and rescue fee and 75-cent Wildlife Manage-ment Education Fund surcharge. License must be carried while fishing. a. Low-income fishing licenses also are available for Colorado residents 64 or older for the same $1 fee as a senior license. These are valid for a person’s lifetime. For information and eligibility require-ments, contact any Wildlife Service Center. RESIDENCY QUALIFICATIONS These are the requirements to qualify as a Colorado resident to buy a fishing or hunting license: 1. You must live in Colorado at least six consecutive months immediately before applying for or buying a license, and must intend to make Colorado home (except No. 3 and No. 4 below). The residence address you give to buy or apply for a license must be the same as on your Colorado income tax return. 2. A valid Colorado driver’s license or Colorado ID is proof of residency if it was issued at least six months prior to buying a fishing license. If your ID or driver’s license was issued or renewed less than six months prior to purchasing a fishing license, you must provide documentation that proves you have been a resident for the required six month period. 3. U.S. military personnel and military personnel of U.S. allies on active duty in Colorado under permanent orders and their dependents. This includes people who were Colorado residents when they entered the military and keep Colorado as their home of record, and their dependents (with Colorado as their home of record). Also included are personnel of the U.S. Diplomatic Service or diplomatic services of nations recognized by the U.S. assigned here on permanent active duty orders and their dependents. Active duty does not include reserve status or National Guard. 4. Full-time students enrolled and attending an ac-credited Colorado college, university or trade school at least six months immediately before applying for or buying a license. This includes students who are temporarily absent from Colorado but still enrolled. Colorado residents who attend school full time, out of state and pay nonresident tuition qualify for a resident license. 5. Children under 18 have the same residency status as their parent, legal guardian or person with whom they live most of the time per court order. 6. If you have a home in Colorado and another state, call (303) 297-1192 to make sure you comply with Colorado residency requirements before obtaining a hunting or fishing license. 7. Except as in No. 3 and No. 4 above, you lose your Colorado residency if you apply for, buy or accept a hunting or fishing license as a resident of another state or country; register to vote outside Colorado or get a driver’s license using an address in another state. DISABILITY LICENSES You can obtain applications for disabled licenses on the CPW website or at Wildlife Service Centers. Send them to 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO, 80216. Licenses are valid only during Colorado residency. Those eligible for free licenses are: 1. U.S. armed forces members, active or retired, who are resident patients of a U.S. armed forces hospital or convalescent facility in Colorado. 4. SECOND-ROD STAMP — Anglers can use a second 2. Resident patients of a Veterans Affairs (VA) hospital or state mental institution or mental health institution. rod, hand line or tip-up by purchasing a second-rod stamp. One stamp is allowed per season and is nontransferable. A second-rod stamp does not entitle an angler to an ad-ditional bag limit. a. Those with disability licenses must purchase a stamp if fishing with a second line. b. A second-rod stamp is not required when only us-ing trotlines or jugs. c. Youths under 16 must have and carry with them a second-rod stamp if fishing with a second line. 3. Colorado residents who are totally and permanently 5. COMMERCIAL LICENSE — $40; required to take or possess bait fish, amphibians or crustaceans for com-mercial purposes. Applications are available at Wildlife Service Centers. License holders must submit an annual report to CPW within 30 days of the license expiration date. Holders are required to provide live fish buyers with a receipt stating the seller’s name, date of sale, species and number sold. 6. CHILD SUPPORT DELINQUENCY — State law requires a Social Security number to buy a license. It is provided, if requested, to Child Support Enforcement authorities. Licenses are not issued to those suspended for noncompliance with child support. Current licenses are in-valid if held by a person noncompliant with child support. 7. ARMED FORCES EXEMPTION — Colorado resi-disabled must provide either: a. Documented proof that shows an entitlement date for Social Security disability benefits that began seven years ago or longer b. Or, a physician’s statement attesting that the ap-plicant is “totally and permanently disabled.” All four words need to be stated on the letter from the physician on the physician’s letterhead. c. Or, a Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation Final Admission of Liability form indicating total and permanent disability. 4. Colorado residents who are disabled veterans or Purple Heart recipients can obtain a Lifetime Fishing/ Small Game VA Combo License. To qualify, the follow-ing documentation must be provided: a. Proof of a service-connected disability of 60 percent or more, as rated by the VA. An eligibility letter can be obtained from the VA by calling 1-800-827-1000. b. Proof of hunter education if born on or after Jan. 1, 1949. c. Purple Heart recipients who can provide docu-mented proof are also eligible for a VA Combo License. 7 Publication List Using a screen reader? Click Here |
