Boat ramps at Twin Lakes and Clear Creek Reservoir north of Buena Vista will open May 4, Colorado Parks and Wildlife announced Monday.

The opening day for Twin Lakes, in Lake County, is two weeks earlier than in recent years, said Michael Atwood, CPW aquatic biologist.

“We’re opening the ramp early to give boat anglers a much-desired jump on the fishing season,” Atwood said. “There is a demand for an earlier opportunity to catch trophy lake trout and we were happy to oblige.”

The dates and times of boat ramp operations coincide with the hours of operation for the mandatory inspection station for Aquatic Nuisance Species, or ANS. No boats are allowed to load or launch when ANS inspectors are not on duty.

The rest of the schedule also varies slightly from recent years:

• May 4-17 – Friday, Saturday and Sunday only – 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
• May 18-Sept. 3 – 7 days/week – 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sept. 4-30 – 7 days/week – 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Oct. 1- 21 – Friday, Saturday and Sunday only – 7 a.m.- 3 p.m.

As for Clear Creek Reservoir just south in Chaffee County, Atwood said it’s boat ramp operations will be the same as in recent years including being closed every Tuesday and Wednesday during the season except for July 3-4.

The ramp will be open for use on July 3 and 4 to accommodate recreational use during the Independence Day holiday. The slightly modified schedule is as follows:

• May 4-22 – 7 a.m.-5 p.m.
• May 23-Sept. 4 – 6 a.m.-8 p.m.
• Sept. 5-23 – 7 a.m.-5 p.m.