CSU's Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology no longer receives support for extension activities related to fisheries and aquatic resources.  We've created this web page to help Coloradans find the information they need to be good stewards of the aquatic resources on their property. 

Can I get some students to evaluate my pond?
This is probably not the best option. Most graduate students in the Department are fully funded from sponsored research projects that support their thesis work. The cost to support a graduate student (stipend, benefits, tuition, indirect) is approximately $26,000 per year. Graduate students are expected to devote all their effort to their research project, with little or no time left over for side jobs. While undergraduate students are eager to gain work experience, and we require that they do so, they don't attain adequate training and expertise until they've completed the degree program. Unfortunately, no vehicles or sampling equipment are available for student consulting activities on private waters. 

How do I find someone who can help me?
There are quite a few professional fisheries consultants and private fish vendors in Colorado. The links below will help you get in touch with some of these businesses; others can be found by searching the internet or by looking in the phone book under "fisheries".

• Colorado Aquaculture Association Members - Colorado Aquaculture Association
• Licensed Aquaculture Facilities - Colorado Department of Agriculture

Where can I find information about building and managing my pond?

• Ponds - CSU/Larimer County Cooperative Extension
• Frequently Asked Questions About Ponds - Colorado Department of Agriculture
• Chemical Treatment of Ponds (no. 6.400) - CSU Cooperative Extension
• Managing Warmwater Ponds (no. 6.401) - CSU Cooperative Extension
• Controlling Aquatic Vegetation (no. 6.402) - CSU Cooperative Extension
• Nebraska Pond Management - Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
• Other Pond Management Resources - Cornell University Cooperative Extension
• Ponds - Planning, Design, Construction - USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service

How do I identify the critters and plants in my pond?

• An eField Guide to Western Fishes - Colorado and Wyoming - Colorado State University
• A simple guide to small and microscopic pond life - Microscopy-UK
• Key to Aquatic Macroinvertebrates - New York State Department of Environmental Conservation
• Weed ID - The Pond Guy

Who sells pond management tools and supplies?

• Aquatic Eco-Systems, Inc.
• Ben Meadow's Online Water Guide
• Forestry Suppliers - Aquaculture, Limnology & Wildlife

Where can I buy fish to stock in my pond?

• Licensed Aquaculture Facilities - Colorado Department of Agriculture

What rules and paperwork should I be aware of?

• Article VII: Aquatic Wildife Regulations (pdf) - Colorado Division of Wildlife
• Commercial Lake or Private Lake License Application (pdf) - Colorado Division of Wildlife
• Fish stocking application (pdf) - Colorado Division of Wildlife
• Pesticide Use - Colorado Department of Agriculture

Where can I learn more about aquatic invaders and nuisance species?

• Invasive Aquatic Species - U.S. Department of Agriculture
• Mosquito Control - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
• Nonindigenous Aquatic Species - U.S.Geological Survey
• New Zealand Mudsnail - Montana State University
• Protect your waters - Stop Aquatic Hitchhikers - Aquatic Nuisance Species Task Force
• Whirling Disease - Whirling Disease Foundation
• Whirling Disease and Colorado's Trout - Colorado Division of Wildlife
• Zebra Mussel - U.S.G.S.

Where can I learn more about protecting water quality?

• Colorado Water Knowledge - Colorado State University
• Cooperative Extension Water Quality Programs - CSU Cooperative Extension
• Water Resources of the United States - U.S.Geological Survey
• Citizen's Guide to Colorado Water Quality Protection - Colorado Water Quality Control Commission

Are there other resources for private landowners?

• Landowning Colorado Style (pdf) - The Colorado State Forest Service
• Landhelp.info - CSU, CSFS, NRCS

Department of Fish, Wildlife and Conservation Biology
Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1474
voice: (970) 491-5020 fax: (970) 491-5091

updated23-Apr-2007

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