Nearly $10,000 in prize money is at stake for the annual Elkhead Reservoir Fishing Classic starting June 21. 

Hosted by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, the nine-day tournament begins at 6:30 a.m. and concludes on Sunday, June 29 with all fish being turned into the CPW fish scanning station by 3 p.m. to qualify. 

There are no size or bag limits on northern pike and smallmouth bass at the reservoir and anglers have a chance to win multiple awards and prizes for harvesting those species. 

One northern pike and one smallmouth bass will be tagged by CPW and released prior to the tournament. The anglers who catch one or both of the tagged fish will receive $1,500 per fish. 

In addition to the tagged fish prizes, the anglers who turn in the most northern pike and/or smallmouth bass win $750 per category. 

Additional categories throughout the tournament include: 
Northern Pike — Smallest fish per day; largest fish per day; most fish caught per day.
Smallmouth Bass — Smallest fish per day; largest fish per day; most fish caught per day. 

“We are looking forward to another great tournament,” said Area Aquatic Biologist, Gage Dean, in a news release. “This is an essential part of our fishery management at Elkhead Reservoir. This approach enables us to focus on enhancing the fishery with sportfish like largemouth bass and tiger muskie, which support our conservation and recovery efforts for native fish in the Yampa River basin.” 

Anglers looking to compete will need to register upon arrival to the park or when turning in fish at the CPW fish scanning station located at the maintenance shop near the park entrance. There is no registration fee, but a State Park pass is required for entry. 

Anglers 16 years and older will need proof of a valid Colorado fishing license. 

For more information, visit CPW.state.co.us/event/2025/06/elkhead-reservoir-fishing-classic-tournament.