Vega

Vega SP https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Vega https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vega_State_Park Vega State Park is in Mesa County, Colorado in the United States. Vega Reservoir is a fishing destination and is located at an elevation of 7,696 feet (2,346 m). Year-round recreational activities at Vega State Park include boating, hiking, snow mobiling and camping. Vega State Park is a largely grassy, meadow-like area that surrounds the 925 acres (374 ha) Vega Reservoir. The land at the lake shore is a wetland. The most common mammals found at the park are mule deer, elk, and marmots. Other mammals include cottontail rabbits, ground squirrels, coyote, beaver and chipmunks. The lake is home to several species of trout including rainbow, brook, cutbow and cutthroat. Moose, which have been reintroduced to the area are occasionally spotted at the park,[8] as are bobcats, blue grouse, black bear and wild turkey.

Camping Vega State Park provides visitors with several camping options. Most campsites are within easy walking distance of the shoreline. Early Settlers Campground offers 34 pullthrough and back-in campsites, with electrical and water hookups, flush toilets and coin-operated showers. Aspen Grove Campground has 28 pull-through and back-in sites with centrally located water pumps and vault toilets. Oak Point Campground provides 37 pull-through and back in sites with centrally located water pumps and vault toilets. For a more unique experience, Pioneer Campground offers 10 walk-in tent sites and five rustic cabins, with centrally located water pumps and vault toilets. Campgrounds are open during the spring, summer and fall months. An RV dump station is located near Early Settlers Campground, just north of the Visitor Center. Cabins are available year round. To reserve a campsite or a cabin, call 1-800-678- 2267 if outside the Denver area, or 303-470-1144 in the Denver area, or visit Vega on the web at www.cpw.state.co.us Corrals & Pets Horse corrals are adjacent to the cabins on USFS Road #262 that leads to the Grand Mesa National Forest. Corrals can be reserved by calling the Visitor Center (970)487-3407. Additional fees apply for use of the corrals and bringing a pet to the cabins. There are no fees for pets at the campsites but please keep them attended, under control, on a six foot leash and be sure to clean up their waste. Picnicking Vega offers several quiet day-use picnic areas overlooking the lake. Located adjacent to Aspen Grove campground, the covered Meadows Group Picnic Area provides a beautiful setting for family reunions, weddings and other events. This handicap accessible area will accommodate 100 people and includes: a huge BBQ grill, serving tables, water, electricity, picnic tables, and a large grass field for sport activities. To reserve up to one year in advance, call the Visitor Center at (970)487-3407. Fishing & Hunting Vega’s two-mile long reservoir is the largest body of water in the Grand Valley. A Colorado Fishing License is required Wildlife Easily observable wildlife include: marmots, mule deer, chipmunks, weasels, porcupines, and foxes. Rarer sightings include: black bear, beavers, elk and moose. Over 100 species of birds share Vega’s habitat including waterfowl, ospreys, hawks, hummingbirds, bluebirds, blue grouse, and wild turkeys. Educational hikes and programs are offered during the summer and throughout the year by calling in advance. Motorized Recreation The OHV/snowmobile staging area is located in the southwest corner of the park. It provides parking with easy access to the Grand Mesa National Forest via US Forest Service Road 262 (Park Creek Road). Although snowmobile operation is permitted in most areas of the park, the operation of four-wheelers (OHV) is not permitted. Only campers at Early Settlers and Pioneer cabin areas are allowed to drive their OHV from their site to USFS Road 262. Other campground users are required to trailer their OHVs to the staging area. OHVs and snowmobiles must have a current registration and tow vehicles are required to have a state parks pass while using the staging area. Non-Park Accomodations C O L O R A D O PA R K S & W I L D L I F E A restaurant is located adjacent to the park. Commercial, religious, and medical facilities can be found in Collbran 12 miles west of the park. Vega has two all-terrain, non electric, wheel chairs, free of charge for anyone needing help with access to trails or the shoreline. Please inquire at the Visitors Center for more information. Vega State Park Friendly Reminders ENJOY YOUR STATE PARKS All-terrain Wheelchairs In the interest of public safety and park preservation, we ask that you: 1. Obey posted speed limits & keep vehicles on designated roads and parking areas. 2. Place trash and recycling in proper containers. 3. Build fires in grills provided or portable grills. 4. Camp only in designated campsites. 5. Respect quiet hours after 10 PM. First Aid First aid can be obtained at the Entrance Station, Visitor Center, or from any Park Ranger. An ambulance with EMTs is located in Collbran. For medical or law enforcement emergencies dial 911. Boating & Water Sports Vega’s vast reservoir offers opportunities for sailing, canoeing, water-skiing, and jet-skiing. Swimming is not permitted. Boat ramps are available at day use areas located near Early Settlers, Oak Point and Island campgrounds. Motorboats and sailboats must be registered and inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species at the Entrance Station or Visitor Center before launching. Colorado boating statutes and regulations apply. Winter Recreation Come and enjoy Vega’s Winter Wonderland! Vega offers some of the best areas for ice-fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. The rustic cabins can be reserved year-round and are located near USFS Road 262 with access to the Grand Mesa National Forest. Vega State Park P.O. Box

COLORADO PA R K S & WILDLIFE Your Guide to Colorado’s 41 State Parks 2018 Edition cpw.state.co.us CAMPING RESERVATIONS • 1-800-244-5613 • cpw.state.co.us i Welcome to Your State Parks! Wherever you go in Colorado, there’s Cheyenne Mountain a state park waiting to welcome State Park you. Mountains or prairies, rivers or forests, out in the country or next to the city… Colorado’s 41 state parks are as diverse as the state itself, and they offer something for everyone. Take a hair-raising whitewater river trip, or kick back in a lawn chair and watch the sunset. Enjoy a family picnic, cast a line in the water, take a hike, ride a horse, try snowshoeing or discover geocaching. From Eastern Plains parks at 3,800 feet to high-mountain parks at 9,500, the network of state parks offers a wealth of activities for busy people of all ages, or the chance to do nothing at all. You can play on land or on water. On a high peak or on the prairie. In the country or the city. In spring, summer, winter or fall. Golden Gate Canyon State Park State parks are great places for families. There are plenty of activities for families to enjoy together such as boating, hiking or picnicking, as well as organized nature walks, talks and events. Junior Ranger programs, activity backpacks, kid-friendly hikes and fishing ponds for kids are among the many offerings for youth. From toddler to teen and adult to senior, every family member can enjoy their activity of choice, then come together to share a meal and stories around the campfire. Whether you’re an active outdoor recreationist or prefer to spend time watching clouds go by, you’ll enjoy the special moments waiting for you in the state parks. Rifle Gap State Park Cover photos: Large photo: State Forest State Park; lower left: Pearl Lake State Park; lower center: Elkhead State Park; lower right: Lory State Park Plan Your Visit Colorado’s state parks are open every day of the year, weather permitting. Day-use areas are generally open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m., and some parks may have closed gates after hours. Campgrounds are open 24 hours a day. Contact individual parks for hours of operation. Check our website for seasonal or maintenance closures: cpw.state.co.us Entrance Passes All Colorado state parks charge an entrance fee. Cost of a daily pass may vary by park ($7–$9). A pass covers all occupants of a vehicle and is valid until noon the day after purchase. Some parks may charge a per-person fee for cyclists and walk-ins. Fees are used to help pay operating costs. Cherry Creek State Park charges an additional fee for the Cherry Creek Basin Water Quality Authority. Annual Pass Who doesn’t love a deal? And the state parks annual pass is a great one. For just one low price, the annual pass lets you enjoy all 41 state parks for unlimited visits for 12 months from date of purchase. That’s all the parks. That’s unlimited times. The annual pass pays for itself in as few as 10 visits. If you’re a Colorado resident who’s 64 years or older, there’s even a further discounted Aspen Leaf annual pass. There are also passes for disabled and income-eligible residents. For details and to purchase a pass, visit a Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) office, state park or buy online: cpw.state.co.us Extend Your Stay Make more of your state park visit by staying overnight. Bring your tent or RV, spend a cozy night in a cabin, camp in a tipi or discover a comfortable, year-round alternative State Forest State Park to traditional camping with a yurt. All together, the state parks have more than 4,000 campsites and 58 cabins and yurts. Almost 300 campsites are ADA accessible. Many parks offer campsites or cabins for large groups. Heated cabins and yurts make a park getaway suitable any season of the year. Camping Reservations Summer weekends fill up quickly so advance reservations for overnight stays are recommended. Reservations can be made six months to three days ahead of arrival. Reserve online: cpw.state.co.us Toll Free: 1-800-244-5613 A nonrefundable reservation fee applies to bookings, and visitors must purchase a daily or annual entrance pass in addition to paying camping and reservation fees. Unreserved sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. 1 What Can I Do There? Colorado’s state parks are places to have fun, get away, recreate and re-create. Here are some park activities to help you do that: Fishing Top-notch fishing awaits anglers in 37 state parks across Colorado. Think Gold Medal Waters and trophy fish. A valid fishing license is required for all anglers 16 years and older. Licenses and our annual Colorado Fishing regulations brochure are available online, at most parks and at CPW authorized sales agents. Water Sports Many state parks are built around a lake or Crawford waterway, which means boating and other water State Park sports are among the headliners. Larger parks offer boat rentals and full-service marinas. Any boat with a motor or sail operated in Col

C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E 2020 Colorado State Recreation Lands INSIDE: STATE FISH UNITS, STATE WILDLIFE AREAS, STATE TRUST LANDS, STATE PARKS cpw.state.co.us ONLINE FEATURES Check out more Colorado Parks & Wildlife on our VIMEO & YOUTUBE CHANNELS LINKS TO MAPS MAKE CAMPING & HUNTING RESERVATIONS ONLINE! STATE WILDLIFE AREAS STATE FISHING WATERS STATE TRUST LANDS STATE PARKS Cherry Creek State Park © Nora Logue VIDEOS CHECK OUT THE 360 VIDEOS OF COLORADO’S STATE PARKS! 101 PLACES TO TAKE A KID FISHING #TAKEAKIDFISHING G.E.M. TRAIL NOW OPEN IN STEAMBOAT SPRINGS! CONTENTS CONTENTS Printed for free distribution by: WHAT’S NEW: 2020................................................1 cpw.state.co.us COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (CPW) 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ■ 303-297-1192 RESERVATIONS......................................................1 OUR MISSION: The mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. ■ Abbreviation key................................................................................1 STATE FISH UNITS (SFUs)........................................2 ■ What is an SFU?..................................................................................2 ■ SFU properties & regulations..............................................................2 COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE DIRECTOR Dan Prenzlow COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION MEMBERS, as of July 2020 STATE WILDLIFE AREAS (SWAs)......................... 3–29 Marvin McDaniel, Chair Carrie Besnette Hauser, Vice-Chair Marie Haskett, Secretary Taishya Adams Betsy Blecha Charles Garcia Dallas May ■ What is an SWA?.................................................................................3 ■ SWA access rules................................................................................3 ■ SWA properties & regulations..................................................... 4–29 STATE TRUST LANDS (STLs) PUBLIC ACCESS PROGRAM.............................. 30–51 ■ What are trust lands? What is the STL public access program?.............30 ■ State trust lands FAQs/access rules...................................................30 ■ State trust lands public access properties & regulations............ 31–51 REGULATION BROCHURE EDITOR Chelsea Harlan PRINTED STATE PARKS................................................. 52–59 The Colorado Division of Parks and Wildlife (CPW) receives federal financial assistance from multiple bureaus within the U.S. Department of the Interior. Under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act (as amended), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (as amended), the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 and Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the U.S. Department of the Interior and its bureaus prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, disability or age. In addition, CPW adheres to all antidiscrimination laws of the state of Colorado. For more information on how to request an accommodation or to file a grievance, please visit cpw.state.co.us/accessibility. MAPS............................................................ 60–65 ■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Northeast ..........60 ■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Southeast ..........61 ■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Northwest .........62 ■ State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Southwest ........63 ■ NEW State fish units, wildlife areas, trust lands & parks — Central close-up.............................64 ■ Game management units (GMUs)....................................................65 NOTICE: Laws and regulations in this brochure are paraphrased for easier understanding and are intended only as a guide. Complete Colorado wildlife statutes and regulations are available at CPW offices listed below and online: cpw.state.co.us/regulations CPW REGIONAL AND AREA OFFICE LOCATIONS ADMINISTRATION 1313 Sherman St., #618 Denver, 80203 303-297-1192 (M–F, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. MT) LANDS INDEX BY COUNTY............................... 66–73 ■ State fish units, state wildlife areas, state trust lands, state parks GET THE BROCHURE ONLINE: cpw.state.co.us/rec-lands Send us your outdoor photos and stories for a chance to be featured on a brochure cover or CPW's online blog! HUNTER.TESTIMONIALS@STATE.CO.US COVER: ▶ Gone fishing at Sylvan Lake State Park. © Dustin Doskocil for CPW OTHER PHOTOS, LEFT TO RIGHT: ▶ Mountain biking at Trinidad Lake State Park. © Thomas Kimmell for CPW C O L O R A D O P A R K S & INSIDE: STATE FISH UNITS, STAT

WHAT'S NEW C O L O R A D O P A R K S & LICENSES W I L D L I F E 2021 Colorado Fishing SEASON: MARCH 1, 2021–MARCH 31, 2022 cpw.state.co.us 2021 FISHING BROCHURE CORRECTION UPDATED: APRIL 19, 2021 Please see the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at cpw.state.co.us/regulations for complete regulation information. NOTE: THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE BROCHURE HAS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, INCLUDING ANY CORRECTIONS. PAGE(S) CORRECTION AS PRINTED IN BROCHURE LICENSE REQUIREMENTS PAGE 1 The qualifying age for applying for a senior lifetime low-income fishing license was incorrectly listed as 65 and older at the time of publication. The correct information is: Senior lifetime low-income fishing licenses are available for Colorado residents age 64 and older. Go online for full eligibility requirements: cpw.state. co.us The online version of the brochure has been updated with this correction. page 1 2021 FISHING BROCHURE CORRECTION UPDATED: MARCH 12, 2021 Please see the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website at cpw.state.co.us/regulations for complete regulation information. NOTE: THE ONLINE VERSION OF THE BROCHURE HAS THE MOST UP-TO-DATE INFORMATION, INCLUDING ANY CORRECTIONS. PAGE(S) CORRECTION AS PRINTED IN BROCHURE BACK PAGE BACK COVER The contest start date for Take a Friend Fishing was incorrect at the time of publication. The correct information is: The contest starts APRIL 1, 2021! Go online for contest rules and how to enter: cpw.state.co.us/ takeafriend The online version of the brochure has been updated with this correction. back cover ONLINE FEATURES Check out more Colorado Parks & Wildlife on our VIMEO & YOUTUBE CHANNELS VIDEOS FISHING FOR HIP HOP: COLORADO STYLE FISHING FUNDS CONSERVATION 101 PLACES TO TAKE A KID FISHING © CPW GET THE CPW FISHING APPS: The CPW Fishing app can help you discover over 1,300 fishing locations, check local conditions, read up on regulations and more! The CPW Match a Hatch app can help you match your fly to the same insects where you’re fishing! CO OUTDOORS “QUICK TIP”: SPINCAST REELS CONTENTS CONTENTS Printed for free distribution by: WHAT’S NEW: 2021................................................ 1 cpw.state.co.us LICENSE INFORMATION...................................... 1–2 COLORADO PARKS AND WILDLIFE (CPW) 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ■ 303-297-1192 ■ License & Habitat Stamp fees........................................................................1 ■ What you need to buy a fishing license; license requirements......................1 ■ Residency requirements; Habitat Stamps; anglers with disabilities..............2 OUR MISSION: The mission of Colorado Parks and Wildlife is to perpetuate the wildlife resources of the state, to provide a quality state parks system and to provide enjoyable and sustainable outdoor recreation opportunities that educate and inspire current and future generations to serve as active stewards of Colorado’s natural resources. GENERAL INFORMATION.................................... 3–7 Dan Prenzlow ■ Fishery programs: Gold Medal Waters; Wild Trout; stream surveys.................3 ■ State records program: Records by Weight; Records by Length......................4 ■ State Records by Weight award table.............................................................4 ■ Master Angler program; award lengths.........................................................5 ■ Help improve your fisheries............................................................................5 ■ Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS).....................................................................6 ■ Fishing terms glossary...................................................................................7 ■ Online fishing information resources.............................................................7 FISHING LAWS................................................. 8–10 ■ Legal fishing methods....................................................................................8 ■ Special conditions & restrictions...............................................................8−9 ■ Statewide bag & possession limits...............................................................10 ■ MAP: Wiper/white bass & walleye/saugeye bag limits................................10 SPECIAL REGULATIONS: FISHING WATERS........11–39 ■ MAP: Upper Arkansas River.........................................................................12 ■ MAP: Blue River Basin.................................................................................13 ■ MAP: Middle Colorado & Eagle Rivers..........................................................15 ■ MAP: Upper Colorado River — Headwaters to Radium...............................16 ■ MAP: Conejos & Alamosa River Drainages...................................................18 ■ MAP: Upper Gunnison Basin — Taylor Park Res. to Blue Mesa Res..............19 ■ MAP: NEW North Fork Gunnison Basin — Hotchkiss to McClure