Catch a fish and eat it too
The Rueter-Hess Reservoir (RHR) in Parker now offers visitors enhanced fishing and boating experiences, including catch-and-keep fishing of walleye, largemouth bass and yellow perch. Other fish, such as black crappies, bluegills, channel catfish, fathead minnows, wipers, triploid grass carps and white suckers, will need to be released. RHR also supports the limited use and size of electric trolling motors for fishing purposes. Approved watercraft that will now be permitted include paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, river pontoons and johnboats.
The changes are a product of collaboration and research. Over the past two years, Douglas County staff and the Parker Water and Sanitation District evaluated visitation patterns, recreational trends and natural resources to understand the impact of recreation on RHR and its effects on the water quality.
RHR is open every week Friday through Monday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. through October. To learn more about recreation opportunities and fishing rules and regulations, visit douglas.co.us/rueter-hess-recreation/.
Information provided by Douglas County
