7899 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

. 27 . Sanchez Reservoir Sanchez ReserVoir is located in the Rio Grande drainage on the east side of the San Luis Valley (Figure 9). In water years with above average runoff the surface area of Sanchez Reservoir is approximately 2,000 acres. Sanchez Reservoir is a fluctuating irrigation supply reservoir operated by the Sanchez Ditch and Reservoir Company. Releases are typically made through a bottom outlet works at a depth of approximately 70 feet. Sanchez Reservoir is managed as a coolwater fishery. Primary sportfish include yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, and a few channel catfish (fable 4). There were problems with recruitment of yellow perch from 1988 to 1992 due mainly to poor spawning success caused by low water levels. Without adequate recruitment the yellow perch fishery crashed. Recovery was slowed by walleye predation and a no bag limit harvest regulation. Walleye fry stocking was stopped in 1988 and a 20-perch bag limit imposed in 1993. In 1993, the yellow perch appeared to spawn successfully and recruit a strong year class. A plant of approximately 40,000 salvaged yellow perch also was made to bolster the population. Without regular stocking the abundance of walleye has declined despite some limited natural recruitment. A few trophy sized northern pike are present. Other species present in the reservoir are white sucker and common carp. . . . . Fishing recreation at Sanchez Reservoir is relatively low. There is a primitive boat ramp and limited camping facilities. In 1990 between May and August, it was estimated to 6,630 hours with a CPAH of 0.72. In the years that the yellow perch population includes a strong year class the reservoir could no doubt support many thousands of days more angling. Sanchez Reservoir already provides a small opportunity for a trophy esocid (northern pike). It is unclear how the addition of a second trophy esocid like tiger muskie would affect angler visitation. Perhaps the public reaction would be mildly positive since the lake is already a coolwater fishery and tiger muskie could increase diversity of opportunity. If this is correct, then anglers from population centers such as Pueblo or metro Denver may be attracted. Tiger muskie management in Sanchez Reservoir appears to pose fewer biological problems than either Continental or Platoro reservoirs. The main food items for tiger muskie in Sanchez Reservoir would be white sucker and common carp. Thus, the muskie would be in a position to compete for prey with northern pike. It is unknown whether establishing a trophy tiger muskie fishery would be at the expense of the trophy northern pike fishery that already . . . .