Anglers looking for an excuse to spend more time on the water this summer now have one that comes with a potential payday. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) Green Mountain Reservoir Pike Removal Tournament is offering anglers the chance to win up to $500 per month while helping protect some of Colorado’s most valuable fisheries.
The tournament runs from June 1 through Sept. 30, 2026, and targets one species only: invasive northern pike.
Why Remove Northern Pike?
Northern pike are among North America’s most efficient freshwater predators. While they are a prized sport fish in some waters, they can cause significant damage when introduced into ecosystems where they don’t belong.
According to CPW, northern pike in Green Mountain Reservoir threaten the reservoir’s recreational fishery, downstream trout waters — including several Gold Medal fisheries — and native fish species in the Colorado River system. The agency’s goal is to suppress the pike population through increased angler harvest.
Montana Continues Fighting Illegal Pike Introductions
Illegal introductions of northern pike continue to threaten Montana fisheries. Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) recently confirmed northern pike in the Three Forks Ponds near the Madison River and discovered bass populations in Livingston’s Sacajawea Lagoon near the Yellowstone River. Biologists fear these introductions could eventually spread into connected river systems and negatively impact established trout fisheries.
Northern pike are native only to waters east of Montana’s Continental Divide within the Saskatchewan River drainage. Since being illegally introduced into western Montana decades ago, pike have spread throughout northwest Montana and established populations in more than 80 water bodies.
Their impacts have been well documented. Fisheries managers have linked pike to declines in native westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout populations, and in some waters they have effectively eliminated stocked trout fisheries within just a few years.
Even a handful of pike can dramatically alter a fishery. That’s why agencies across the West are increasingly encouraging anglers to harvest invasive pike whenever regulations allow.
Tournament Details
The Green Mountain Reservoir Pike Removal Tournament is open to anglers of all ages and is designed to reward those who remove the most fish.
Tournament Dates
- June 1, 2026 – Sept. 30, 2026
Location
- Green Mountain Reservoir near Silverthorne, Colorado
Registration
- Anglers must register through the Fishing Chaos app or website.
- Participants must create a free Fishing Chaos account before entering fish.
How to Participate
To enter fish into the tournament, anglers must:
- Possess a valid Colorado fishing license.
- Have a Daily State Parks Pass, Annual Pass, or Keep Colorado Wild Pass associated with their vehicle.
- Enable GPS/location services within the Fishing Chaos app.
- Obtain the official tournament soft tape measure from the Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) station upon entering the reservoir.
Only northern pike harvested from Green Mountain Reservoir are eligible.
Photo Requirements
Every fish entered must be photographed immediately after capture and before leaving park property.
Anglers must submit two photos through the Fishing Chaos app.
Photo #1: Measurement Photo
The official tournament tape measure must be placed on top of the fish with:
- The 0-inch mark at the nose.
- The tape extending beyond the tail.
- The fish laying on its right side.
- The entire fish visible in the image.
- The photo taken directly from above.
Photo #2: Harvest Verification
The second photo must show evidence the fish was harvested through:
- A visible abdominal cut, or
- A cut to the gill or head area.
The entire fish must remain visible in the photograph.
Entries that fail to meet these requirements will not be accepted.
Monthly Cash Prizes
The tournament awards prizes each month, giving anglers multiple chances to win throughout the summer.
Most Northern Pike Caught
1st Place: $500
2nd Place: $250
3rd Place: $150
Youth Division
Youth Angler Winner: $100
(Youth anglers must be 17 years old or younger.)
Random Drawing
A separate $100 drawing will be held each month.
Every pike that’s entered counts as one entry into the drawing, although anglers who finish in the top three for total catches are not eligible for the random prize.
Ties are broken by whichever angler reaches a qualifying category first.
