04-22-2011, 11:10 AM
COLLBRAN, CO. - The time has come to put away your ice fishing gear and head up to Vega State Park for some excellent spring-time fishing! The lake ice is melting fast and Vega Reservoir will soon be open for boating. Starting on May 1, if the ice is completely gone, boaters are welcome to launch boats at the Island Area boat ramp, after undergoing an inspection for aquatic nuisance species (ANS).
Please help keep your public reservoirs and waterways free of ANS, including zebra and quagga mussels. All vessels entering Vega Reservoir must be inspected for ANS prior to launching. If ANS are detected, your boat will not be allowed to launch, and park rangers may conduct a decontamination process on the boat. To speed up the boat inspection process, all boaters are encouraged to arrive at the park with a boat that is clean, drained, and dry. By removing the plug to drain any standing water from inside the boat, and by taking boat covers off prior to entering the inspection area, the ANS boat inspection will go more quickly.<br />
Also to save time on your next boat launching, boaters can ask for a pre-inspection when leaving the lake. A pre-inspection will result in the boater receiving an ANS inspection seal, which will allow the boat to be launched upon arrival at any hour of the day or night, including when the ANS inspection station is not open.<br />
Generally, the park entrance and the ANS Station will be open starting May 1 on weekends between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. If an ANS inspector is not present at the station, please go to the Vega Visitor Center and ask for a boat inspection. The prevention of ANS is a high priority for Colorado State Parks, and stiff fines will be issued to boaters who choose to launch their boat without the required ANS boat inspection.<br />
Fishing and hunting licenses are also available at the Vega State Park Visitor Center, as well as the annual, Aspen Annual and Lifetime Aspen Annual Park passes. And if you need a boat or OHV registration or renewal, we can do that, too.<br />
Since the popular Early Settler's Campground, shower building, RV dump station, and mostly all campsites at Vega will open by mid-May, campers should start making reservations for camping trips to Vega State Park. Make your camping or cabin reservations today by visiting www.parks.state.co.us or by calling 1 (800) 678-2267. Starting Memorial Day weekend, fun family nature programs will be offered on Friday and Saturday evenings, usually in the Vega Visitor Center's gift shop. Vega State Park is located approximately 12 miles east of Collbran and 60 miles from Grand Junction.<br />
Colorado State Parks get everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state's favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.
Please help keep your public reservoirs and waterways free of ANS, including zebra and quagga mussels. All vessels entering Vega Reservoir must be inspected for ANS prior to launching. If ANS are detected, your boat will not be allowed to launch, and park rangers may conduct a decontamination process on the boat. To speed up the boat inspection process, all boaters are encouraged to arrive at the park with a boat that is clean, drained, and dry. By removing the plug to drain any standing water from inside the boat, and by taking boat covers off prior to entering the inspection area, the ANS boat inspection will go more quickly.<br />
Also to save time on your next boat launching, boaters can ask for a pre-inspection when leaving the lake. A pre-inspection will result in the boater receiving an ANS inspection seal, which will allow the boat to be launched upon arrival at any hour of the day or night, including when the ANS inspection station is not open.<br />
Generally, the park entrance and the ANS Station will be open starting May 1 on weekends between 7:00 a.m. and 8:30 p.m., and weekdays between 8:00 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. If an ANS inspector is not present at the station, please go to the Vega Visitor Center and ask for a boat inspection. The prevention of ANS is a high priority for Colorado State Parks, and stiff fines will be issued to boaters who choose to launch their boat without the required ANS boat inspection.<br />
Fishing and hunting licenses are also available at the Vega State Park Visitor Center, as well as the annual, Aspen Annual and Lifetime Aspen Annual Park passes. And if you need a boat or OHV registration or renewal, we can do that, too.<br />
Since the popular Early Settler's Campground, shower building, RV dump station, and mostly all campsites at Vega will open by mid-May, campers should start making reservations for camping trips to Vega State Park. Make your camping or cabin reservations today by visiting www.parks.state.co.us or by calling 1 (800) 678-2267. Starting Memorial Day weekend, fun family nature programs will be offered on Friday and Saturday evenings, usually in the Vega Visitor Center's gift shop. Vega State Park is located approximately 12 miles east of Collbran and 60 miles from Grand Junction.<br />
Colorado State Parks get everyone outdoors! Attracting more than 12 million visitors per year, Colorado's 42 State Parks are a vital cornerstone of Colorado's economy and quality of life. Colorado State Parks encompass 224,447 land and water acres, offering some of the best outdoor recreation destinations in the state. Colorado State Parks is a leader in providing opportunities for outdoor recreation, protecting the state's favorite landscapes, teaching generations about nature and partnering with communities. Colorado State Parks also manage more than 4,300 campsites, and 63 cabins and yurts. For more information on Colorado State Parks or to purchase an annual pass online, visit www.parks.state.co.us.