Bullshead Reservoir
Bullshead Reservoir, located just south of Medicine Hat on the eagle butte road, is a moderately productive reservoir of 57.5 ha (142 ac) with a maximum depth of 6 m (21 ft), although most of the reservoir is shallower than 4.5 m (15 ft). It has a storage capacity of 1,500 acre-feet, primary used for stock watering. A pipeline to deliver water to area ranchers and farmers was completed in 2002. There is no natural recruitment, so stocking must occur annually when water levels permit. Fish stocked in fall 2002 were of harvestable size by late summer 2004.
Representatives of each of the angling groups in Medicine Hat approached the Area Fisheries Biologist in spring of 2003 about the opportunity to make Bullshead Reservoir into a delayed-harvest quality fishery. The proposed regulation was Rainbow trout, one over 50 cm, from April 1 to October 31, bait ban. Closed November 1 to March 31. This led to a public meeting being held in July 2003 to obtain feedback from anglers. In addition, anglers could email, fax or phone in their opinions. There was overwhelming support for this idea, and the proposed regulations were implemented in April 2004. Another public meeting was held two years later, in October 2005, to confirm whether the public still supported the regulations at Bullshead Reservoir; again there was overwhelming support.
We continue to manage Bullshead Reservior as a quality trout fishery. No changes to these regulations are proposed
For more information, contact Terry Clayton
