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'Fishing is fun' program improves access and opportunities for anglersColorado Colorado anglers will soon get access to a half-mile of the South Platte River in Littleton and on 14 other streams and ponds across the state thanks to new projects funded with Fishing is Fun grants. "We are excited by this year's projects," said Jim Guthrie, who coordinates the Fishing is Fun program for the Colorado Division of Wildlife. "The Fishing is Fun program continues to grow, allowing us to help support diverse projects to improve public fishing in both rural and urban areas statewide." Fishing is Fun is a competitive state grant program that encourages partnerships between the DOW and local communities to expand public access and improve aquatic habitat at local rivers, lakes and ponds. The DOW approved $900,000 in grants for the 15 projects, ranging from $7,500 to $113,000. The program leverages local funds with proceeds from the Federal Sport Fish Restoration Act. Historically, local matching funds have accounted for 40 percent of the total cost of projects. This year, local communities, angling groups and other project partners will provide more than $600,000 in matching funds, donations and volunteer time. This year's largest grant allots $113,000 to open access to one-half mile of river fishing in South Platte Park in Littleton. The project will also provide new ADA access to the park's 7-acre Blackrock Lake. Improvements are expected to be completed by the end of 2010. Another grant allocated $107,000 to improve access and in-stream habitat on 3100 feet of Fountain Creek near Manitou Springs. Work planned in three city parks includes twelve new angler access points, in-stream habitat improvements such as cross vanes and rock clusters, and stabilization of eroding stream banks. "The Fountain Creek project started in 2007," said Guthrie. "When this second phase is completed in 2010, all the reaches of Fountain Creek that flow through Manitou Springs' public parks will be restored. That means more than three-quarters of a mile of angling opportunities where none existed before." "The Division of Wildlife and the Fishing is Fun program have been an excellent resource to the City of Manitou Springs as we work to improve Fountain Creek for fish habitat and angling recreation," said Manitou Springs City Councilor Aimee Cox. "It is my hope that our project will inspire and inform other small communities looking to improve their local streams." Stream anglers can also look forward to additional opportunities on Clear Creek near Idaho Springs. Two separate projects, totaling $182,000, will improve fishing access and in-stream habitat on 1,440 feet of this historic, mining-town stream. Other grants approved for this year will also help open new fishing ponds in Elizabeth, Sanford and El Paso County (Homestead Regional Park); upgrade habitat conditions on South Boulder Creek, Horsetooth Reservoir, and Kaibab Park Pond in Granby; and install aerators at Milavec Reservoir near Frederick and Overland Trail Park Pond near Sterling to avert fish kills. For more information about the Fishing is Fun program visit http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/ResourcesTips/FishingIsFunProgram/. For more news about Division of Wildlife go to http://wildlife.state.co.us/news/index.asp?DivisionID=3. For more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us.
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