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Fishing Rules

Highland Lakes Fishing Rules and Regulations
(Revised 3/3/2010)

The Fishing Committee is here to support Highland Lakes Property Owners and their guests, by providing them with the best fishing opportunities possible.  In order to do this we need your support by abiding by the established rules and regulations.  Thank you.

FISHING RULES AND REGULATIONS
 
The Highland Lakes Property Owners Association, Inc. (HLPOA) has purchased a State Lake Permit that covers all property owners and their duly authorized guests.  In addition, ALL persons fishing on the lakes must comply with the following established rules and regulations:

GENERAL:

  1. The HLPOA annual dues must be paid in full before any fishing permits are issued.
  2. Fishing permits or guest passes are required by each person fishing and must be displayed on hat, shirt, vest, etc. so that they are visible at all times while fishing.
  3. Permits are issued on an annual basis and are good from April 1st through March 31st.
  4. A Colorado fishing license is not required.
  5. Any person(s) fishing without a permit (except children under the age of 6) will be required to leave immediately.
  6. The only authorized fishing permit is a Highland Lakes issued permit.
  7. Fishing is permitted during the hours 30 minutes before sunrise through 30 minutes after sunset.
  8. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on all lake dams.  Temporary parking is permitted at boat launch area while launching.

I. PERMIT FEES:

  1. ADULT FEES: 
    1. $30.00 annually
    2. Persons 18 years or older may purchase an adult fishing permit.
    3. Each adult residing within the household must purchase an adult permit in order to fish.
    4. Permits MAY NOT be used by anyone other than the name on the permit.
    5. Guest passes may not be used as property owner adult permits.
  2. CHILDREN FEES:  (For children residing in the household)
    1. Children ages 13-17 $15.00
    2. Children ages 6-12 $8.00
    3. Children ages  0-5 Free
  3. SENIOR CITIZEN FEES:
    1. Free for 65 years of age or older.
    2. Only one permit will be issued to each senior citizen.
    3. Permits MAY NOT be used by anyone other than the person named on the permit.  
    4. Guest passes may be purchased by seniors for $20.00 each. 
  4. GUEST PASSES:
    1. Adult permit holders may purchase one annual guest pass for $10.00 and each additional guest pass is $20.00 each.  Guest passes may not be used by property owners of Highland Lakes in lieu of purchasing an adult permit.
    2. Senior citizens may purchase annual guest passes for $20.00 each.
    3. Adult permit holders and senior citizen permit holders may purchase a 48 hour guest pass for $10.00 each.  The purchase of more than four 48 hour passes at one time must be approved by the Fishing Committee Chairman.
    4. NOTE:  Guest passes are intended for “occasional” use, NOT for daily or weekly use.  They are not to be given out for permanent use.  They should be given to your guests each time they come to visit and wish to fish and then returned to the property owner.  Any abuse of this rule may result in the loss of fishing privileges for the resident.
    5. At least one property owner responsible for the guest must be present while the guest is fishing.
  5. RENTERS:
    1. Renters may purchase fishing permits as long as the HLPOA membership dues are paid in full for the property they are renting.  Renters are considered residents and therefore may not use guest passes in lieu of permits.
  6. PERMIT TRANSFERS:
    1. New property owners may obtain a permit transfer from the previous property owner.  The fishing committee must be notified so that corrected permits can be issued and records updated.

II. RULES AND REGULATIONS:

  1. DAILY BAG, POSSESSION AND SIZE LIMITS:  Any fish caught and placed on a stringer, in a container or in a live well or not returned to the water immediately, will be counted as part of the established daily bag or possession limit.  Any fish taken and subsequently smoked, canned, frozen or otherwise preserved for consumption is considered part of the established possession limit until it is consumed.
    BEAVER PONDS 4 AND 5 ARE CATCH AND RELEASE ONLY, FLIES AND LURES ONLY. 
    ONLY ONE FISH OVER 18” OR 3 LB MAY BE KEPT FROM THE OTHER LAKES OR PONDS PER PERSON PER DAY TO IMPROVE FUTURE FISHING.
    1. Adult/senior/guest permit holders may catch up to 4 trout (Brook Trout 6” or longer, Rainbow and Brown Trout 8” or longer) in Elk and Deer Lakes.
    2. Adult/senior /guest pass holders may catch up to 3 trout (Brook, Rainbow or Brown Trout 8” or longer in Beaver Ponds 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7.
    3. Children permit holders may catch up to 3 trout (Brook Trout 6” or longer, Rainbow and Brown Trout 8” or longer) from Deer and Elk Lakes and Beaver Ponds 1, 2, 3, 6, and 7.
  2. ICE FISHING:
    1. Highland Lakes is not responsible for lost or damaged personal property or personal safety while on the ice.  PROCEED AT YOUR OWN RISK!
    2. Ice fishing holes shall not exceed 10 inches in diameter.
    3. Fires are not allowed.
    4. All litter must be removed.
    5. On waters where only portable shelters are permitted, all ice fishing shelters must be removed at the end of the day.
    6. Only ice augers and handsaws are allowed to cut holes in the ice.
  3. OTHER REGULATIONS:
    1. Elk Lake is the ONLY authorized trolling lake and only electric trolling motors are allowed.
    2. Obey all posted fishing signs.
    3. A person may use one or two personally attended rods and no more than 2 hooks attached per rod.
    4. Use of live fish as bait is PROHIBITED in all lakes, per Colorado state law.
    5. Use of artificial light is PROHIBITED in all lakes.
    6. Artificial flies and lures may be used in all lakes.
    7. Live bait, such as worms and grubs may be used on all lakes and ponds, except Beaver Lakes 4 and 5.
  4. FISHING COMMITTEE WARDENS:
    1. The Fishing Committee Wardens are authorized by the HLPOA Board of Directors to monitor the lakes and enforce the fishing rules and regulations.
    2. Failure to comply with any Highland Lakes Warden can result in a fishing permit suspension for up to one year from the date of the infraction or notification of the Teller County Sheriff’s Office.
    3. Fishing wardens may be identified by their ID Badge or “Warden Cap” which should be worn when they are on duty.
    4. Please report any complaints, questions or concerns to Steve Hoehn, Fishing Committee Chairman 687-3028 or Garry Cote, HLPOA President, 687-0338.

GOOD LUCK AND GOOD FISHING!