The following fishing and stocking report is produced by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. For further information, call 303-291-7534.
Denver area
Arvada Reservoir : Stocked again with trout last week and fishing for them remains very good. Bass were also becoming more active before the recent rains, with many fish up to 4 pounds being caught on Klawdads, night crawlers and minnows. Water temperature is in the high 40s and lake is 15 feet below full while dam repairs are being completed. A City of Arvada permit is required and boats are restricted to electric motors only.
Aurora Reservoir : Water level is good and the water temperature is in the mid-40s. Fishing for trout has been fair to good from shore using salmon eggs and Power Bait. Fish are shallow along the dam. Boaters are enjoying fair to good action trolling Kastmasters, Needlefish and brightly colored Rapalas. Fishing for walleyes is slow; only a few small ones have been caught. Boats are restricted to electric motors only and the trout limit is two fish. Park hours for April are 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Barr Lake : Trout fishing has slowed somewhat, but a few stockers are still being caught. Best baits are Power Bait and live minnows. Try to keep your bait near the bottom at about six feet deep. Fishing is slow for bass, catfish and tiger muskies.
Bear Creek : Flow is 109 cfs and fishing has been fair to good for smaller rainbow trout. Best flies are Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails; best lures small silver spinners. Best fishing time is in the morning.
Bear Creek Reservoir : The lake has been stocked with trout which can be caught quite easily on salmon eggs, worms or Power Bait. A few holdovers from prior stockings have reached 17 inches in length. Saugeyes, smallmouth bass and tiger muskies will become more active as the water warms. Water temperature has cooled somewhat with the recent front. Lake level is normal.
Berkeley Lake : Smaller trout can be caught here on Power Bait, Nitro Bait, small night crawlers or live minnows beneath a bobber. Best time is in the morning. Set your bait about six feet from the bottom.
Centennial Park Lake : Fishing is slow. A few trout are being taken on minnows and Tasmanian Devils. Try fishing the north side, about six feet deep.
Chatfield Ponds : A good bass is caught now and again but fishing remains generally slow. Some perch are being caught on minnows and small Twister tails near the bottom. Catfish should become more active as the water warms. Best baits are shrimp, chicken livers and night crawlers, all fished on the bottom.
Chatfield Reservoir : Fishing has slowed a little, due largely to the weather. Try for smallmouth bass at Massey Draw and Lakeview, using minnow about 5 feet below a float. Some smallies are also being caught by boaters just off the north boat launch area. Post-spawn walleyes aren’t biting yet but should start soon. Try using a grub on the bottom tipped with a leech or night crawler. Yellow, red and chartreuse are the best grub colors.
Cheesman Reservoir : Reclamation work in the wake of the 2002 Hayman fire has been completed but the reservoir remains closed to fishing because of a danger posed by still-standing burned snags. Denver Water says it will not reopen in 2005. The river below the dam in Cheesman Canyon has yielded some nice trout of up to 20 inches and fishing should be even better in May.
Cherry Creek Reservoir : Some walleyes showed up last week but fishing for them is still slow. Leeches, night crawlers and shiners are the best baits. Trollers are also taking a few fish on Rat-L-Traps dragged slowly out from the tower or along the old Cherry Creek channel. Trout fishing remains good with fish up to 20 inches being caught on live minnows.
Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) : Water level is rising and runoff will make the creek unfishable soon. Before it becomes too discolored, try Beadhead Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Adams and Blue Winged Olives. Small silver spinners will also take fish.
Clear Lake : Power Bait and Nitro Bait work best here. Ice is melting fast and should be completely off any day now. This lake harbors large numbers of smaller rainbow and brook trout.
Evergreen Lake : Fishing for stocked rainbow trout is fair to good using small night crawlers, salmon eggs or a fly and a bubble. Best flies are Renegades and Woolly Buggers. An occasional brown trout can also be caught here and be prepared for tiger muskies. Many were caught, and lost, on light trout tackle last year but anglers with beefier rods and steel leaders can have great fun catching them in the shallows.
Georgetown Lake : Fishing for trout remains very good here with fish up to 14 inches being caught on Power Bait and salmon eggs. Last of the ice should be off soon.
Gross Reservoir : Shorecasters have been having fair success on trout up to 18 inches using Kastmasters, Dardevles and Tasmanian Devils. Beginning on Memorial Day, Denver Water will allow non-motorized boating. That means canoes, kayaks, rowboats or rubber rafts. Belly boats and windsurfers will not be allowed. Anglers with the right craft should try for lake trout with white, chartreuse or trout-colored tube jigs tipped with a piece of sucker meat or frozen shiner. This lake also holds some very large tiger muskies which can be caught in the shallows on large, angry-colored surface lures such as Muskie Killers or Rapalas.
Jim Baker Reservoir : Kids can have a blast here catching small perch. Use ultralight tackle baited with a small night crawler or Gulp Grub. Also try a bubble and three-foot leader with a fly.
Ketring Park Lake : Small bluegill, perch and catfish have been stocked here after repairs last year, but it will take a couple of years for them to reach catchable size.
Main Lake : Bass fishing is slow due to the spawn near the shoreline. Try casting black and brown tube jigs and plastic worms, retrieving slowly parallel to the shore. Also a strong hook jig with a purple plastic worm can goad them into a strike.
Quincy Reservoir : Trout fishing has been fair to good for anglers using Beadhead Prince Nymphs and Pheasant Tails, Kastmasters and spinners. Bass fishing is slow to fair but should pick up when the weather warms. A few largemouths have been caught in the coves on soft plastics, and perch on jigs. Park hours for April are 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only and boats are restricted to hand-carried craft and electric motors. Trucks and trailers are not permitted in the water. The limit for trout is two fish and keeper size for largemouth and smallmouth bass is 18 inches.
Rocky Mountain Lake : Mostly stocked rainbow trout here. Try Power Bait, Nitro Bait, small night crawlers and salmon eggs. Keep your bait just above the lake bottom at about six feet deep.
Sloans Lake : Typically a slow lake for fishing. Most of the fish in this lake are carp, with a few hard-to-find crappie. Try live minnows below a bobber in weedy areas about three feet deep.
Smith Reservoir : Bass have started their spawn and fishing for them is tough. Your best bet is sight-casting purple plastic worms or dark colored tube jigs at fish in the shallows and retrieve very slowly.
South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) : Dry fly fishermen are doing well far up the canyon with Blue Wing Olives, Adams, and Pale Morning Duns. Two and even three-fly rigs also work with nymph droppers such as Copper Johns, Beadhead Pheasant Tails and San Juan Worms.
Standley Lake : Anglers have been doing well on stocker trout left over from last year. Water is still too cool for wipers and crappie to be very active. Average water temperature is 52 degrees. The lake will reopen to boating May 1. A parks pass is required on all vehicles using the drive-in access for fishing through the main entrance at 100th and Simms Street. Walk-in access is free. Call the park office at 303-425-1097 for more information.
Washington Park Lakes : A few crappie have been showing up. Best to use live minnows for bait or small Twister tails. Either way set them about three feet below a bobber. Overall fishing is quite slow.
Webster Lake : Best baits for trout are Power Bait and salmon eggs. For perch try Gulp Maggots on a jighead or small Fle Fly jigs.
Northeast
Barker Reservoir : Ice is melting fast and look for good fishing to begin as soon as it is off. Bait and spinners do well along the north shore while flycasters usually score near the inlet and shallow grassy areas on the west end. The creek feeding the reservoir also has a good population of cutthroats that can be caught on small spinners and flies.
Bellaire Lake : Ice is off and anglers are catching trout on Power Bait, salmon eggs and Nitro Bait. Best fishing is along the northwest side with some nice catches also being made by lure casters on Thomas Buoyants, Thomas Cyclones and Tasmanian Devils. The road and campground are scheduled to open May 20, depending on snow. Until then, foot access only.
Big Creek Lakes : Road is closed, access by snowmobile only from the Hill Ranch on and the lakes are still totally iced up. They usually open in mid to late May. Fishing for grayling, trout and tiger muskies is good immediately after ice-out. In the meantime, ice fishing is fair to good for trout using Ice Critters, Rockers and Tear Drops.
Big Thompson Ponds : Fishing is slow. One angler reports catching some small bass, too small to keep, on spinnerbaits.
Big Thompson River : Flow is up to 88 cfs through the canyon and water is cloudy. Trout are feeding mostly on caddis nymphs and Blue Wing Olives. Use Beadhead Prince Nymphs and Elkhair Caddis and switch to dries from about noon to 2 p.m. Good flies are Ginger Quill, Quill Gordon and Adams Wulff in sizes 16 and 18. Lure casters are doing well with silver Mepps and Panther Martin Spinners, and bait fishermen are catching fish where permitted.
Boedecker Reservoir : Fishing remains slow. Most fish in this lake were killed by low water in 2003 and although it has been restocked with fingerlings and fry of warm-water species, it will take a few more years for them to grow to catchable size.
Boulder Reservoir : Fishing is improving. Anglers are doing well on walleyes, mostly with minnows though black and chartreuse Twister tails also catch fish. Trout are hitting on worms and Power Bait. Water level is good and boat ramps are usable.
Boyd Lake : Lake is full, recently stocked and anglers have been catching trout of up to 14 inches. Walleye fishing is also picking up as the water warms with most anglers catching fish on harnessed crawlers and minnows. Best lures for trout are Thomas Buoyants, Krocodiles and Kastmasters. Bait of all kinds always works.
Carter Reservoir : Trout fishing is good with anglers doing best trolling Dick Nite, Needlefish and Li’l Nailer spoons, a #3-4 Flatfish or a Lazy Ike. Best bet for walleyes is a crankbait cast from shore or trolled along the shoreline. Boats also catch goggle-eyes trolling Pop Geer. Bass fishing is improving daily. Sunny days are best, before noon and after 4pm.
Chambers Lake : Still iced up. Ice fishing for trout and mackinaw has been very good on Fat Gitzits sweetened with sucker meat. Ice should remain strong enough for fishing until the first week in May. It will rot quickly then and should not be trusted. Fishing is usually excellent immediately after ice-out. Opening of the campground has been rescheduled to June 10 and full facilities may not be available until later.
Cowdrey Lake : Lake is one-third open water and the remaining ice is unsafe. Fishing is slow with most trout action reported on bait. Many nice trout of up to 4 pounds were caught here last winter, so there are big ones to be caught as the water warms.
Douglas Reservoir : Ice fishing for trout was fair to good all winter but has slowed since ice-out. It should improve as the lake was recently stocked, though no anglers have reported in this week. Walleyes will become active when the water temperature rises a few degrees. Lake level is low and the boat ramp is unusable.
Dowdy Lake (Red Feather) : Ice is all gone and fishing is now good. Trout are hitting vigorously on Thomas Buoyants, Little Cleos and Cyclones. Power Bait, eggs and worms are also catching fish near the dam face and on the southwest side. This lake gets the most fishing pressure after ice-out so try others in the Red Feather complex if it gets too crowded. The campground is partially open but reconstruction is scheduled for August and no services are available,
Dumont Lake : Iced up and inaccessible. Ice usually comes off in early June.
East Delaney Lake : Ice is going rapidly on the west side and there is considerable open water there. The remaining ice is rotten and unsafe. Trout feed very aggressively immediately after ice-out and will take almost any 1/8-1/6th ounce silver or gold spoon will catch fish. No real hatches right now but Damselflies, Drakes and mosquitoes will provide very good fly fishing in May. This lake is restricted to flies and lures only with a two-fish limit.
Estes Lake : The lake is open, fairly clear and nearly full. Fishing for trout has been fair to good using Power Bait, eggs, worms, Woolly Buggers, Z-Rays, Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters.
Flatiron Reservoir : Fishing remains good for recently stocked catchable trout in the 12-inch range. Use night crawlers or orange Power Bait. Early in the morning, Panther Martin spinners also score.
Hidden Lakes : Road is closed, lakes are iced up and there is snowmobile access only. They usually open by Memorial Day, but not always.
Hohnholz Lakes : Some open water but fishing is slow. Remaining ice is unsafe.
Horsetooth Reservoir : Anglers are doing well catching smallmouth bass and trout, with a few splake thrown in. The smallies are being caught on the west side with Satanka and Quarry Coves being the hottest : mostly on minnows, though flyfishers are also scoring with streamers. Trout of up to 20 inches are also being caught on minnows, but the best bait is orange or pink Power Bait. Boaters are catching some walleyes on trolled shad imitations or Twister tails sweetened with night crawlers along the dams and eastern shoreline. The Lake is filling and all boat ramps are open. Water temperatures are high 40s in deeper parts of the lake, over 50 degrees in the coves. Fishing is not permitted in the inlet until May 31. Size limits are 12 inches for smallmouths, 15 inches for largemouths and 18 inches for walleyes.
Jackson Reservoir : Wiper fishing has been excellent at the inlet and off the dam before cooler weather slowed things down. They were hitting on silver spoons, Twister tails, spinners, grubs and nightcrawlers. Trout fishing is also excellent with fish of up to 18 inches being caught on Power Bait, shrimp, salmon eggs and crawlers.
Joe Wright Reservoir : Ice fishing for trout and grayling should be good here until early May but use caution near the inlet where ice is rotting. Grayling can be caught under the ice with tiny midge nymphs, #18-22, and will go on a feeding binge immediately after ice-out. The lake is restricted to flies and artificial lures only.
Jumbo Reservoir : Jumbo Reservoir and Annex have both been stocked with trout and fishing for them is good with Power Bait. Stockers from prior years have also provided good action, with some anglers landing fish of up to 7 pounds earlier this spring. Trout fishing dies down when the water warms but catfish can be caught here all summer long. A use permit is required to fish in the reservoir.
Lake John : There is a small amount of ice-free water opening fast along the west side and dam face. Rest of the lake is covered with rotting ice. Fishing should be good immediately after ice-out as this lake harbors a tremendous population of rainbows and brown trout, including large brood fish. Use Thomas Buoyants, Kastmasters, Little Cleos and Rapalas. Dry flies don’t do very well here but flyfishers sometimes score with large streamers.
Laramie River at Hohnholz SWA : Ice is all gone and flow is 75 cfs and murky. Anglers are still catching brown trout of up to 18 inches, however, on Panther Martins, Blue Fox, Vibrax and Roostertails. Special restrictions: flies and lures only; bag and possession limit is two fish. The State Wildlife Area closely follows the river banks and anglers are advised not to take shortcuts across private property between the oxbows.
Lon Hagler Reservoir : No change from last week. Reservoir is full and fishing for recently stocked trout remains very good. Use Power Bait, Nitro Bait or night crawlers.
Lonetree Reservoir : The reservoir is full water remains cool and fishing is slow. Anglers have caught a few small walleyes but no wipers as yet. Wipers usually start biting when surface temperatures climb into the 50s.
Long Draw Reservoir : Road is still closed by snow and the only access is by snowmobile. Ice fishing has been good all winter and should remain so until mid-May. Road is scheduled to open by the end of May, depending on the weather.
Lost Lake (at Chambers) : Beginning to show some open water but ice will not be off until early May. There should be good fishing immediately after ice-out.
North Delaney Lake : Ice is coming off fast and there is rapidly expanding open water. No Damsel flies have shown up yet but a big hatch usually occurs immediately after ice-out. In the meantime, try Copper Johns, Beadhead Damsel or Beadhead Drake nymphs and black or olive Electric Leech patterns. Restrictions: flies and lures only with a two-fish limit, and anglers must return all brown trout between 14 and 20 inches.
North Fork of the N. Platte River : Running high and discolored, still fishable with spinners and spoons, not much good for flies. Panther Martins, Mepps Black Fury and Vibrax. This water is restricted to artificial flies and lures only with a bag limit of two fish.
North Michigan Lake : Still iced up but heavy inflows from the feeder stream have produced a lot of slush on top of the ice, making fishing difficult. The stream below the lake is clear and fishing well. Campsites here remain open all winter long and the road is open. For information on ice conditions call the Colorado State Forest office at 970-723-8366.
North Park Streams : The Illinois River is flowing at 65 cfs, still high for that water, discolored and fishable only with spoons and spinners. Panther Martins, Mepps Black Fury and Vibrax spinners work well on these streams. Other North Park streams are also roiled by runoff. Many streams have special restrictions; refer to the regulations.
North Platte River : Running high and discolored with a flow of 876 cfs Monday. Flyfishing is over until runoff subsides. Lure casters can still catch fish on Panther Martin, Vibrax and Roostertail spinners. Restrictions: Flies and lures only with a two-fish limit in the Brownlee, Manville and Verner SWAs and from the south boundary of the Routt National Forest to the Wyoming border (Northgate Canyon).
North Sterling Reservoir : Fishing remains slow though anglers are starting to catch a few walleyes, catfish and trout. Water temperature is still around 50 degrees. Warmer weather and resumed inflow planned for this week may improve the fishing. Lake is full but agricultural draws will bring it down this summer. Call the park office at 970-522-3657 for current conditions.
Parvin Lake (Red Feather) : Ice is all gone. Fishing is fair to good using Kastmasters, Tasmanian Devils and Fiord spoons. Flycasters should stick to nymphs: Damsel Emergers, Beadheads, Woolly Buggers and Leeches along shoreline rock piles in the southeast corner of the lake. Restrictions: flies and lures only with a two-fish limit. Only belly boats are allowed, no other craft.
Pinewood Reservoir : Fishing has been good for trout with bait of all kinds. Tiger muskies continue to be spotted cruising the shoreline but are tough to entice. Cool foggy mornings are best for these picky monsters.
Poudre River : Flows average 90 cfs through the canyon, and fishing remains good using Beadhead Hare’s Ear, Beadhead Prince and Flashabou Olive nymphs. The upper river is still clear above Waterworks Hill (Gateway Park) and the most productive stretch is through the narrows and Indian Meadows. Special restrictions apply to various sections of this river. Check page 55 of the regulations book.
Prewitt Reservoir : Lake is full and the boat dock will be in soon. A few catfish and wipers have been caught but fishing is slow. A use fee permit is required to fish this lake.
Ranger Lakes : Frozen and inaccessible at this time
Seeley Lake : The lake has been stocked and trout fishing has been good. Anglers have been doing best with Power Bait and Fireballs. The water level is near full, much better than last year.
Seymour Reservoir : There is now considerable open water and the remaining ice is unsafe. This lake yields primarily rainbows with an occasional brown and sometimes suffers a winterkill. We won’t know what’s in store until anglers try it.
Simpson Ponds : Anglers have been catching small bass on spinnerbaits, mostly in the back pond. Perch and bluegills are being taken in the front pond on small Marabou jigs and tube jigs.
Slack Weiss Reservoir : Ice is rotting and should be off soon. Open-water fishing should be quite good with Panther Martins, Mepps and bait.
South Delaney Lake : There is considerable open water along the south side and rest of the ice is going fast. Expect good fishing in the next few weeks as this lake harbors some big browns and rainbows. The best fishing is usually along the west side, off the rock outcrops, using Tasmanian Devils, Z-Rays and Thomas Buoyants. Restrictions: artificial flies and lures only with a two-fish limit.
St. Vrain Ponds (formerly Barbour Ponds) : Spring trout fishing is always good here as the ponds are stocked several times beginning in February. Power Bait and small spinners are the best producers. Access to Pond #1 will be limited to the north shore for a while until improvements are completed. Anglers will see more construction later this summer as the park is being expanded to 1,400 acres with 20 fishing ponds.
St. Vrain River : Flow averages 90 cfs through the canyon and trout fishing is fair with bait, good with artificials. Best lures are Panther Martins and Mepps Black Fury spinners; best flies Beadhead Nymphs.
Teal and Tiago Lakes : Much snow in the area. Lakes are iced up and access is by snowmobile only. Spring fishing usually gets good by the end of April but may be later this year. The campground is scheduled to open Memorial Day.
Union Reservoir (Calkins) : Water temperature is 59 degrees, fishing for trout is good and wiper action is starting to pick up. Chartreuse or white Clouser Minnows, small red and white tube jigs, Pistol Petes and live minnows all catch fish. Most trout are in the 12 to 14-inch size range. This lake was one of the best producers of small wipers last year and should produce bigger ones this season. Walleyes, channel catfish and crappie also will become more active soon. Boating is restricted to wakeless speeds and the minimum size for crappie is 10 inches and for wipers 15 inches.
Watson Lake : Now converted to a warm-water fishery, Watson Lake is no longer stocked with trout but still harbors some large left-over rainbows which feed actively in the first open water around the inlet. The inlet is ice-free and the rest of the lake will be open soon. Use crankbaits and plastic worms for smallmouth bass, which provide good fishing as the water warms.
Wellington Reservoir #4 : This lake gets an early stocking of trout and fishing is good in early spring. Anglers can also catch catfish on stinkbaits this early in the year. Other warm-water species will become more active in May.
West Lake (Red Feather) : The road to the lake itself is closed but you can walk in from the paved road on the west side. The lake is ice-free but campground is only scheduled to open May 20. Fishing has been good with small Kastmasters and Thomas Buoyants on the east and south sides. Bait of all kinds always works.
Northwest
Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) : Flows below Green Mountain Reservoir are low and muddy, but should clear quickly if it stops raining. Fishing has been excellent all the way from the tailwater to the confluence with the Colorado River. Midges are still hatching in profusion with Blue Wing Olives on cloudy days. Use a #18 BWO, #20 Griffith’s Gnat, #20 Zebra Midge, #18 Copper John and red or wine-colored San Juan Worms when the water is discolored. The tailwater is subject to periodic security closures. There are three other public accesses on BLM land downriver to the confluence with the Colorado, but they are narrow and anglers are warned to stay off adjoining private property. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) : The tailwater below Dillon Reservoir continues to fish well with a clear, consistent flow of 50 cfs. Blue Wing Olives have started to make their first appearance with hatches that have been brief and unpredictable but productive. On top use #24-26 Brook’s Baetis, Blue Winged Olives, Gulper Specials and Griffith’s Gnats. Sub-surface, small midge nymphs and sparsely tied Baetis are the main producers. There have been good reports of big fish in the river north of Silverthorne, especially near the inlet to Green Mountain Reservoir. Egg patterns followed by small stonefly patterns work best there.
Colorado River (below Parshall) : Flow is 410 cfs at Kremmling. Water is muddy and will take several days to clear after a mix of rain and snow in the high country. When it clears use Blue Wing Olives, RS-2s and WD-40s. Hatches are more prolific from Pump House to Radium. An eagerly awaited event on these waters is the Salmonfly hatch, which usually occurs in late May. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) : Flow is 3,200 cfs in Glenwood Springs, discolored by runoff and unfishable. Expect it to stay this way for a few weeks. Call the Taylor Creek Flyshop at 970-927-4374 for current conditions.
Colorado River (near Granby) : No real change from last week. Flow is 422 cfs, clear in the mornings, discolored by afternoon. Trout fishing remains good; anglers do best with tan and cream Caddis, gray beadhead RS-2s and egg patterns. Different colored San Juan worms also work, especially when water is discolored. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the west end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is also permitted and two fish may be kept. The upper Colorado river, below Shadow Mountain dam, is almost always clear. The flow rate varies depending on the amount of water let out of Shadow Mountain Dam, which changes according to runoff and how much water is pumped from Granby Reservoir.
Crystal River : The Crystal River is blown out by runoff and unfishable. It will remain this way for some time. Call the Taylor Creek Flyshop at 970-927-4374 for current conditions.
Elk River : Flow is 1,900 cfs near Milner and the river is currently unfishable. Runoff is not expected to end until late June or early July, but this river can be fished when flows diminish, even if somewhat discolored.
Elkhead Reservoir : Closed to fishing until 2007. The lake will be partially drained this summer for major dam reconstruction that will double its water capacity.
Freeman Reservoir : Ice is starting to rot but the lake remains inaccessible at this time. Ice-out usually occurs in late May or early June, depending on the weather.
Fryingpan River : The river is clear, running at 82 cfs below Reudi Reservoir and fishing very well. In the tailwater, good hatches of midges are coming off daily while high concentrations of Blue Wing Olives are being seen on the middle and lower river. The best dry fly fishing is from noon to 3 p.m. Dry fly fishermen must use 7x fluorocarbon tippets if they want to be successful. Hot patterns include Bill’s Adult Midge, Sprout Midge, BWO No Hackle, BWO CDC Comparadun, Befus Para Emerger BWO, Poxyback Baetis, Pheasant Tail, BTS Baetis, CDC BWO Loopwing, Barr Emerger BWO, RS-2, Johnny Flash and WD-50 in sizes 20-24. Call the Taylor Creek Flyshop at 970-927-4374 for current conditions.
Granby Reservoir : Shorecasting as the ice rapidly retreats is very productive. Lateral jigging with 3 to 4-inch tubes (glow works well) is catching many lake trout. Rainbows are biting on night crawlers, waxworms or mealworms in very shallow water. Use of rubber boots is more than just a good idea. Ice is disappearing very rapidly and the lake may be completely open sooner than normal. Open-water fishing is excellent immediately thereafter. Water level is more than 60 feet down but decent runoff should bring it up. The bag and possession limit for lake trout is two and only one can be over 20 inches.
Grand Lake : Lake still has some ice but there is a lot more open water. Brown trout have been running in and around the channel between Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain Reservoir, hitting on Rapalas and Kastmasters. Fishing for rainbow trout also is fair to good there with all the usual baits, but mackinaw have been less cooperative.
Green Mountain Reservoir : Fishing has been good at the Blue River inlet, but slow on the reservoir itself. There is now open water up to McDonald Flats and the remaining ice is melting fast. Anglers should be extremely cautious before venturing out.
Green River : Flows in Colorado are controlled by discharges from the Flaming Gorge Dam, so the river is clear until the confluence with Vermillion Creek, muddy and discolored by runoff below that point. Fishing for spawning rainbows has been very good lately with egg patterns, beadhead nymphs, stonefly nymphs and midge imitations. Later, Scuds, Woolly Buggers and terrestrials will be the best producers. Fishing usually tapers off in July as the water warms, then picks up again in the fall as brown trout begin their spawn.
Harvey Gap Reservoir : Water temperature is 51 degrees. The reservoir is at full pool, and fishing for trout has been very good using Rapalas, small spinners or worms, Power Bait and salmon eggs. Pike, perch, crappie, smallmouth and largemouth bass, catfish and tiger muskies will become more active as the water warms. The minimum size limit for bass is 15 inches and the bag and possession limit for catfish is 2 fish. There is a single-lane concrete boat ramp located at the east entrance to the park but boats are restricted to 20-horsepower motors or less.
Highline Lake : Fishing is good with trout of up to 12 inches being caught on Power Bait, spoons and spinners. Bass fishing has also picked up with several fish being caught on dark-colored plastic worms. Largemouths weighing up to 7 pounds were caught here last year and some believe Highline Lake could yield a state record. Two new jetties have been built allowing anglers access to deeper water on the west side, just north of the fish net, and on the east side north of the picnic area.
Lake Avery : This lake offers nice trout of 12-14 inches all summer, and fishing only slows down in the heat of August. For current conditions, call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
Mack Mesa Lake : Lake is full and fishing is excellent for stocked trout using Power Bait or worms. Several larger trout have been caught recently on lures off the dam. Boating is restricted to electric motors or hand-propelled craft.
Muddy Creek : Living up to its name with the consistency of chocolate milk, both above the inlet to Wolford Reservoir and downstream below the tailwater. The tailwater itself is still pretty clear and fishing well with nymphs and streamers. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
Pearl Lake : Ice-out is not expected until the second or third week of May and the road to Pearl Lake may not be open until Memorial Day weekend. Until then anglers have a 1/2-mile walk to the lake. Fishing for trout is usually very good immediately after ice-out. Restrictions: flies and lures only, with a bag and possession limit of two fish over 18 inches. For current conditions check the State Park website.
Rifle Gap Reservoir : Fishing has been excellent with trout hitting on Rapalas, small spinners, worms, salmon eggs and Power Bait. Water temperature is 52 degrees and lake level is 22 feet below full pool. The hottest fishing is at the east inlet. The lake also harbors sizeable perch (14-inchers are not uncommon), smallmouth bass, pike and walleyes. The bag and possession limit for smallmouths is two fish 15 inches or larger and fish caught between May 1 and June must be released. The bag and possession limit for walleyes is three fish, only one of which may be longer than 18 inches.
Rio Blanco Lake : This lake harbors largemouth and smallmouth bass, pike, crappie, crappie, perch, bluegills and channel catfish. Pike fishing should be good this summer as northerns removed from the Yampa River will be planted here beginning at the end of May. Bass of up to 4 pound can be caught along the dike. For current conditions, call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
Roaring Fork River : The Fork is fishing very well from Aspen down to Carbondale, discolored by the now-not-so-Crystal River below Carbondale. Flows are 188 cfs in Aspen, 478 cfs in Basalt and 1,200 cfs in Glenwood Springs. Good BWO hatches are coming off daily from Basalt to Carbondale and the first wave of caddis have started near Carbondale. Hot flies: Bill’s Adult Midge, Sprout Midge, CDC Midge Adult, BWO Sparkledun, Parachute BWO, Prince Nymphs, Pheasant Tails, Red Copper Johns, Electric Caddis, Graphic Caddis, Stimulators, Peacock Caddis, Sparklwing RS-2s, Flashtail Hot Eggs and WD-50s. All BWO and Midge patterns should be #20-24; Caddis and attractor patterns #14-18. Call the Taylor Creek Flyshop at 970-927-4374 for current conditions.
Shadow Mountain Reservoir : Still some ice but there is more open water north of the island and around the shoreline. The canal is open and boat ramp clear of snow. Small jigs sweetened with mealworms and conventional bait rigs with night crawlers, waxworms or salmon eggs are quite productive on trout. Fishing is again allowed on the river all the way from Shadow Mountain Dam to Lake Granby and is starting to get good.
Stagecoach Reservoir : Ice came off last week, boating has started and courtesy docks are in at both launching ramps. Fishing should be good for pike using Triple Clickers, black and white Dardevles, Black Fury spinners or dead minnows. Camping is still limited due to potential freezing of water supply in the restrooms. The tailwater below the dam is restricted to flies and lures only and catch-and-release. It always provides excellent trout fishing. County Road 18 to the dam and tailwater is now open to vehicular traffic, but remains closed below the Sarvis Creek Wildlife Area.
Steamboat Lake : Ice-off is expected in the second or third week of May when fishing becomes very good with Woolly Buggers, other large nymph patterns, jigs and bait. Check the Steamboat Lake State Park web site for current conditions.
Trappers Lake : Roads remain closed, the lake is still frozen and ice will not come off until late May or early June. Cutthroat trout reproduce naturally in this high lake and fishermen are allowed to keep all the brook trout they can catch to make room for the cutts. Look for good fishing immediately after ice-out just before the cutthroat spawn. Restrictions: flies and lures only with a two-fish limit on cutts under 11 inches. Larger ones must be released. There is no size or bag limit on brook trout. Boats with motors are not allowed and there are no rowboat rentals as the Trappers Lake Lodge has closed. The only accommodations at present are three campgrounds. For current conditions, call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
Vega Reservoir : Ice is off but shore access is muddy right now. Fishing is good at the inlets with trout hitting well on Power Bait, salmon eggs, mealworms and flies. Most fish run 12-16 inches and tend to congregate around the mouths of feeder creeks between the last week of April and Memorial Day. The Oak Point and Early Settlers campgrounds are open but the camper services building is still closed at this time. The Visitor Center is open, park passes are required, and cabins are available for year-round rental.
White River : Flows are rising, now 839 cfs at Buford and 847 cfs at Meeker. Although runoff is beginning to discolor the water anglers are still enjoying good fishing with streamers, Woolly Buggers and beadhead nymphs. Best fishing is from Lake Avery downriver to Meeker. For current conditions, call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
Williams Fork Reservoir : Ice is nearly all off. Lake trout have been the primary catch recently, but anglers are starting to catch pike in shallow water around the inlet where northerns are chasing spawning rainbows. Use Rapalas and whole suckers for both pike and lakers. Rainbow and brown trout are also feeding actively and can be caught on smaller Rapalas, spinners and Power Bait or night crawlers. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
Williams Fork River : Flows are low but muddied by rain. Releases from Williams Fork Reservoir are minimal and fishing will return to excellent as soon as the water clears. Main hatches remain Blue Wing Olives and midges. Use BWOs, Blue Duns, Zebra Midges, Serendipity nymphs and egg patterns. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
Willow Creek Reservoir : Ice is still thick but becoming porous with a water temperature of more than 35 degrees. Ice usually comes off in late May, but may be much earlier this year. Fishing is excellent as soon as there is open water. Heavy pumping into Granby Reservoir is lowering the water level in preparation for spring runoff.
Wolford Reservoir : Ice is all off and reservoir is open for boating. Although water level is 40 feet below full, the boat ramp is usable and anglers are doing well on rainbows, cutbows and browns. Fish of up to 25 inches are being caught on trolled Tasmanian Devils, short Pop Geer and copper-colored Kastmasters. Switch to silver if it’s overcast. Troll slowly keeping the lure about 10 feet deep. Anything that resembles crayfish, the primary food in this lake, usually catches fish. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) : Monday’s flow was 3,070 cfs at Hayden and 3,960 cfs at Craig, muddied by runoff and unfishable. Anglers should forget the river and fish the small lakes and ponds that follow the Yampa between Hayden and Craig. Nick Kamzalow at Outdoor Connections in Craig has seen some nice pike of 36-38 inches landed there; no 40-inchers yet.
Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) : Fishing remains very good in the tailwater below Stagecoach Reservoir with regular midge and Blue Wing Olive hatches. Downriver in Steamboat Springs, feeder creeks have discolored the water, now flowing at 793 cfs. Soon the river will be blown out by runoff. Use gray, olive and red midge imitations in the tailwater; little black stoneflies and BWOs downtown. Several river sections are restricted to flies and lures only and/or catch-and-release.
Southeast
Adobe Creek Res. (Blue Lake) : For the second consecutive year no irrigation water was stored here, leaving the lake level perilously low. There are a few 10-foot deep holes but the low-water boat ramp is barely in the water. Shallow-draft boats can be launched, but extreme caution should be used. Catfish remain plentiful; many large channel and blue cats were caught here last year. But numbers of crappie, wipers, saugeyes and white bass have declined and fishing for them can only be rated as poor. Conversely, fishing pressure is low and anglers wishing to escape the crowds will find solitude here.
Anticline Lake : The lake is stocked early every year and fishing for trout should be good.
Arkansas River #3 (Through Pueblo) : This stretch of river is stocked 12 months a year and offers good trout fishing except when there are extremely low or no outflows from Pueblo Dam. The river below the dam has had a lot of habitat improvement from the tailwater to downtown Pueblo, which should make fishing even better this year.
Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) : Blue Wing Olive hatches have resumed strongly with the return of wet, cloudy weather. BWOs have been seen as far upriver as Granite. Flows Monday were 212 cfs at Granite, 244 cfs at Salida, 289 cfs at Nathrop. On top use a #18 BWO; subsurface, #18 Pheasant Tail, olive Flashback Pheasant Tail, olive Micro Mayfly or WD-40. For emergers, an olive Surface Emerger, RS-2 or Barr’s Emerger. On top, a Parachute Adams, Parachute Gulper Special or Brook’s Sprout Baetis. For current conditions call the Arkansas River Fly Shop at (719) 539-3474.
Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) : Blue Wing Olive hatches have been reported as far upstream as Granite. Fish are moving into spring feeding stations and can be taken on Mayfly and Stonefly nymph patterns as well as BWO dries during cloudy day hatches. For current conditions call the Arkansas River Fly Shop at (719) 539-3474.
Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) : Cooler, cloudy weather with light rain and snow put the caddis hatch on hold upriver from Howard. Current forecasts call for more rain in the week ahead so the caddis hatch will probably stall, while Blue Wing Olive will resume hatching river-wide. The lower canyon, from Texas Creek to Parkdale, has seen warmer temperatures with strong caddis hatches, and fish have been feeding actively on adults. Use #16 Black Foam Caddis. Above Texas Creek to Howard, the hatch has been more sporadic. Fish there are not keyed in on adults but hitting pupae. From Howard on up #18 BWOs are still the ticket. For current conditions call the Arkansas River Fly Shop at (719) 539-3474.
Beckwith Reservoir : The reservoir has been stocked with rainbows and trout fishing is good with worms, salmon eggs, and Power Bait. Lake level is at the high water line.
Bonny Reservoir : A few catfish have been taken but fishing for crappie and walleyes has been slow. It should pick up in the next couple of weeks. Crappie can be caught off the dam and walleyes usually become active as April turns into May. White bass and wipers hit best in May and June. The lake is 17 feet below full. A new two-lane boat ramp is being constructed at the marina with completion scheduled some time in May. Due to this construction, the old boat ramp is closed and only hand-launched boats are allowed on the lake at this time. Consult the State Parks Web site for current conditions and closures.
Brush Hollow Reservoir : Water level is good right now but irrigation draws bring it down by early June so take advantage of it while you can. Fishing for trout is good while the water stays cool. Look for bass, walleyes and crappie to provide good action when it warms. An excellent shad spawn last year provided great forage for all species and there should be some lunkers in here.
Clear Creek Reservoir : Clear creek is about half open now and ice should be all off by the first of May. Fishing after ice-out is usually excellent; cast night crawlers or spoons and spinners right near the edge of the melting ice.
Cottonwood Lake : Cottonwood lake is still frozen but the ice is starting to get soft and the upper end is opening up. Parts of the shoreline are also clearing; good spots for flyfishers using beadhead nymphs such as Copper Johns and Pheasant Tails.
Daigre Reservoir : Stocked last week and trout fishing should be good. This reservoir is restricted to flies and lures only.
DeWeese Reservoir : Reservoir is full, stocked with trout last week and fishing should be good.
Elevenmile Reservoir : The reservoir has opened to boating, but a small amount of ice remains and boaters are advised to use caution. Not all hazards are marked yet. The lake is full and boat ramps at Witcher’s Cove and the North Shore are usable. Shoreline success so far is good at North Shore, Suckers Cove and Howbert Point. Baits work best on rainbows in early spring; use night crawlers, marshmallows or Power Bait (orange, chartreuse or green). Kokanee fishing should improve as the weather warms. Pike fishing is usually fair in summer, becoming good in September and October. There is no limit on pike and anglers are encouraged to catch all they can to help the trout fishery.
Fountain Lake : Like other urban lakes in the Pueblo area, this one is stocked 12 months a year and spring trout fishing is usually very good.
Hale and Hopper Ponds : Water levels in the Hale Ponds are good and they’re already starting to yield some nice bass and catfish. Last year bass of 5 to 6 pounds were caught here. There also is good trout fishing after spring stocking, which hasn’t occurred yet. The Hopper Ponds are dry and likely to stay so without major rainfall. Call Kenny Condrey at Papa’s Bait Shop 970-354-7354 for the latest conditions.
Hayden Meadows Reservoir : Ice is off and fishing is great. Anglers are catching plenty of trout on Beadhead Pheasant Tails, brown Stoneflies and Gold-ribbed Hare’s Ears.
Horseshoe Reservoir : The lake is full, boat ramps and docks all usable. Horseshoe has been stocked several times and trout fishing is good; should stay so until June when the action switches to warm-water species. The best fishing for bass, saugers, tiger muskies and catfish usually begins in mid-May and lasts through June. Fish counts show an exceptionally good population of bass, a growing population of big saugers (possibly a state record here) and tiger muskies in excess of 20 pounds. Call the park office at 719-738-2376 for current conditions.
Jefferson Lake : Ice does not come off this high-country (10,687- foot) lake near Kenosha Pass until the last week of May or early June. It is heavily stocked with 10-inch catchable rainbow trout and occasionally yields a larger holdover rainbow or brook trout. Shore fishing for large lake trout is best immediately after ice-out and again in the fall, but small lakers of 12-18 inches can be caught here all summer long.
John Martin Reservoir : Water temperatures have fluctuated, delaying this reservoir’s famous spring crappie bite but a few are finally being caught off of the face of the dam. Big John has a lot more water than it did last year, now over 79,500 acre feet. Last year it was drained down to 5,000 acre feet and fall fish counts indicated serious declines in wipers and saugeyes, which will be restocked this year. Some decent wipers have been caught, however, in the stilling basin beneath the dam as well as along the rock face of the dam on the reservoir and the lake still holds a fair number of crappie and catfish. Lake Hasty beneath the dam has been stocked with rainbow trout which bite well on Power Bait until the water becomes too warm.
Lake Meredith : After losing all its water and all its fish in prior years, this large irrigation storage lake is completely full, though it will be lowered throughout the summer as crops are watered. Meredith will be restocked this year in hopes of re-establishing the fishery. Some adult fish may inhabit the lake as escapees from nearby Henry Lake, but consistent fishing is probably a couple of years away.
Martin Lake : This lake has been stocked and trout fishing here usually stays good until June. Pike are also biting well though few anglers seem to be going after them. Several northerns weighing up to 20 pounds been caught here as they move into the shallows for their spring spawn. Bass, wipers, walleyes and saugeyes will all become more active when water temperatures reach 55 degrees, which usually occurs in the last week of April or early May. The weed beds in this lake are expanding each year, which provides good habitat but makes fishing tough. A youths only pond on the east side of Martin Lake gets its own stocking of trout and fishing there is usually very good. Call the park office at 719-738-2376 for current conditions.
Montgomery Reservoir : All fishing, including ice fishing, is prohibited until May 31. But rainbow trout fishing should be good after the opener due to an increase in the number of catchable trout available for stocking this year. Fishing for browns and brookies will remain fair. This is an excellent lake to take the kids but remember, fishing is prohibited on the south side of the reservoir and from the west face of the dam.
Monument Reservoir : Stocked with rainbow trout last week and fishing for them should be good with all methods.
Nee Gronda Reservoir : This, the deepest lake in the Queens State Wildlife Area, is less affected by drought and still has a healthy population of bass, wipers, saugeyes, crappie and catfish. Wiper fishing is beginning to improve. Anglers are catching fish on jigs tipped with worms or minnows, and shrimp fished on the bottom. Spring fishing can be very good as the water warms, though anglers have to contend with a large number of submerged trees. The lake level is low and large boats may have difficulty launching from the state-owned gravel ramp on the east shore. A private ramp at Cottonwood Marina, on the north shore, can be used for a fee.
Nee Noshe Reservoir : Receding water level has left the one boat ramp unusable by any boats except hand-launched craft. A temporary ramp for larger boats may be completed some time in May. Although Nee Noshe is now two lakes split by a sandbar, it still has excellent populations of crappie and catfish and good numbers of saugeyes, wipers and white bass. Anglers have enjoyed good fishing for wipers so far using worms and shrimp.
North Lake : Stocked with trout last week and fishing for them should be good. Restrictions: Flies and lures only and boats propelled by hand, wind or electric motor.
Pueblo Reservoir : Water level is better than last year but runoff from the Arkansas River has discolored the lake and brought a lot of debris into the reservoir. Boaters must be careful. Trout fishing has tapered off; anglers who were averaging 10-15 fish per day now average 4 fish. Fishing for warm-water species should improve however. Fall fish counts showed good populations of walleyes, wipers, smallmouth and spotted bass, catfish and bluegills. Most walleyes are below keeper size but wipers range from 4-10 pounds and catfish up to 30 pounds. There are many recreational boaters on the lake, especially on weekends, which drives fish deep. The size limit for bass is 15 inches and walleyes 18 inches.
Queens Reservoirs : Lower Queens is totally dry and Upper Queens may be heading that way. The lake is so shallow (less than 3 feet deep across the entire lake) a fish salvage may have to be ordered this summer. There is a silver lining however. Low water levels caused the reservoir to warm up quickly this spring, producing some very good fishing for wipers and white bass. Anglers fishing with shrimp have been taking liberal 20-fish limits regularly. The lake also holds saugeyes, crappie and catfish. The boat ramp is far from the water and a few vehicles have been stuck trying to launch boats along the muddy shoreline. Find a firm spot before you attempt it.
Runyon Lake : This is one of several Pueblo-area lakes stocked 12 months a year and fishing for trout should be good.
San Isabel Lake : Still covered with ice except around the inlet. But ice is rotten and unsafe. Trout were stocked last week and fishing for them should be good using all methods. There are also fair numbers of brown trout and splake.
Skaguay Reservoir : Ice is starting to break up but there is not much open water yet. Fishing remains very slow but should get better once ice is off. Water levels have fluctuated in recent years but the reservoir will be full this year and increased trout stocking will provide more opportunity for anglers. Though scarce, there are also northern pike here of up to 40 inches in length. Anglers can catch as many as they like to improve the trout fishery.
South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) : Fishing remains very good with plenty of spawning rainbows and cutthroats feeding on midges and Blue Wing Olives. Trout are hitting on #20-22 Blue Wing Olives, #22 Griffith s Gnats, Barr s Wet Emergers, Flashback Pheasant Tails, #18 Apricot Egg patterns and #20 Red Midge Larva. Late-morning until just past noon is the best fishing time. The South Platte is running at about 55 cfs above Elevenmile Reservoir.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir : Spinney opened for fishing April 20 and anglers have been experiencing fair to good success on rainbows and small pike depending on the winds. A mixture of flies saw success on opening day including RS-2s, Griffith’s Gnats, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Brassies, egg patterns and Scuds. Spinney was drawn down to 46 percent of capacity over the winter; the lake level is low and only hand-carried boats are allowed at this time. Hopefully, inflow from the South Platte River and Homestake Canal will raise the water level to the point where boat ramps will again be usable. The limit on trout is one fish 20 inches or longer.
Trinidad Reservoir : Water level is better than last year, but runoff has clouded the water and boaters should look out for submerged or partially submerged debris. Fishing has been very good for trout using night crawlers and Power Bait; slower for warm-water species. But fish counts show significant improvement in walleye numbers and quality, with many over 10 pounds. Wipers and saugeyes have also increased, while catfish numbers are down.
Turks Pond : This 55-acre lake is bulging with wipers, saugeyes, channel catfish, largemouth bass, bluegills and rainbow trout. Currently, stocked rainbows are being caught with traditional trout baits. Other species should begin biting as the water warms. Fish counts last fall showed excellent populations of all species. Although this lake is a long way from the more populated parts of Colorado, it is well worth the drive.
Turqoise Lake : Lake is still frozen and inaccessible at this time. Thaw will only begin in the last part of May. When the ice comes off fishing for lake trout should be good using Rapalas, Blade Dancers and other lures that resemble the sub-catchable (5-inch) rainbow trout that are stocked here.
Twin Lakes : Ice still covers about half the lower lake but is thawing fast and should be off by May 1 if warmer weather holds. Immediately after ice-off is the best time to catch big mackinaw as they cruise the shoreline looking for small rainbow trout that were stocked or hatched out last summer. Blade Dancers, Rapalas and Mepps Aglia lures work best for lake trout. Smaller Mepps, Panther Martin and Roostertail spinners will catch rainbows and snake river cutthroats.
Twin Lakes Forebay : Ice is off and fishing is good. Rainbows and cutbows of up to 20 inches are providing great surface action on large Blue Wing Olive dries, Salmon Caddis and Blue Duns. Some really nice lake trout of up to 20 pound can also be caught using Hi Rocky Specials tipped with a little sucker meat.
Two Buttes Reservoir : Trout fishing has been good and should remain so until late spring, when warm-water species become more active. Two Buttes nearly went dry but refilled in the summer of 2004. Fingerling bass and catfish were stocked as well as adult crappie and catchable trout. Fathead minnows were also stocked as a forage base, and more game fish will be added if future precipitation fills the lake.
Wahatoya Reservoir : This reservoir was stocked with catchable-sized trout last week and fishing for them should be good.
Southwest
Animas River : Flowing very high and blown out by runoff, which may last into June. There is a good caddis hatch at the end of May which runs well into July, and fishing with dry flies is good even when the water is still somewhat roiled. Parts of the Animas are Gold Medal Waters, restricted to flies and lures only, and the limit is two fish at least 16 inches long. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
Beaver Creek Reservoir : Reservoir is mostly covered by ice except along the shoreline and at the inlet. Ice is unsafe. Fishing in the open water is good to excellent for rainbow trout and brown trout of up to 15 inches using salmon eggs, worms, Power Bait and lures. Expect it to stay good this summer for stocked rainbows of 10-12 inches, fair for brown trout of 15-20 inches and fair for kokanee salmon of 12-14 inches. The best fishing is June-July for rainbows and kokanee, late fall for kokanee and brown trout.
Big Meadows Reservoir : Reservoir is still iced up and access is by snowmobile only. Fishing has been fair for rainbow trout and brook trout using jigs or Power Bait. Water level is predicted to be high throughout the summer and fishing should improve when the ice comes off. Flyfishers especially will find good evening action on 10 to 12-inch brookies. Road construction on Highway 160 may cause delays in driving here.
Blue Mesa Reservoir : All ice is off, boat ramps are usable and water temperature is 40 degrees. Brown trout fishing remains excellent for boaters trolling jointed Rapalas or jigging Marabou jigs tipped with meal worms close to shore. Look for good lake trout fishing when water temperatures reach the mid-40s. Big mackinaw will be 30 to 50 feet down and can be caught on tube jigs and sucker meat.
Conejos County (high country lakes) : No change. Iced up and not accessible due to snow. Ice-out on some of these lakes is only in late April or May.
Conejos County (small streams) : No change. Iced up and inaccessible due to snow. They only become accessible in late April or May.
Conejos River : The river from Mogote to Horca is free of ice and fishing access is good. Snow still makes access difficult from Horca upstream to Platoro, and the Forest Service gate on FSR 250 is currently closed upstream from Horca. Flow is 766 cfs at Mogote. Runoff has discolored the water but brown trout fishing should be excellent after it ends in late June. Fish counts show biomass and quality near Gold Medal Water standards. Two sections have special regulations: from the lower bridge at Platoro to the confluence of the South Fork, artificial flies and lures only with a bag and possession limit of two trout 16 inches or longer; from Mekhaven Resort downstream to the upper boundary of Aspen Glade Campground, flies only with a bag and possession limit of two trout 16 inches or longer.
Dolores River (lower) : Drought has lowered fish numbers on the lower river despite habitat improvements below McPhee Reservoir and stocking of the 12-mile section from the dam to Bradfield Bridge. This section is catch-and-release, restricted to flies and lures only. But since it is still in the recovery stage, anglers are advised to leave it alone. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
Dolores River (upper) : Flowing high and blown out by runoff. The best hatch is caddis, beginning in June and running into early July. This section of river doesn’t get fished as much, so the fish are less selective and more eager to take a variety of presentations. Small spinners, Kastmasters and spoons work well for lure casters. Most of the trout are rainbows of up to 14 inches with some browns and cutthroats. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
East River : Flows have risen this week to over 500 cfs. Warmer weather and rains have discolored the water. But streamer fishing is great on off-color days using #6 black, olive or brown Cone Buggers. Higher flows have also kicked up the nymphs. An indicator is a must with attractors, Stones #8-12 and Princes, Pheasant Tails and Hare’s Ears #16-20. Access at the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery is limited to foot traffic as the road to the ponds is muddy. Spin casters do well in the ponds using Marabou jigs tipped with sucker meat. Link below or call Almont Anglers at 970-641-7404 for current conditions.
Echo Canyon Reservoir : The reservoir was recently stocked with trout and fishing should be good. Best times are early morning and just before dark. Bass are moving into the shallows before their spawn, which usually begins when water temperatures reach 52-55 degrees. Largemouths and smallmouths 12-15 inches long must be returned to the water immediately. Fishing is also good for catfish with chicken livers and sucker meat. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660 Or the Ski & Bow Rack at (970)264-2370.
Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) : The East Portal is open and fishing is very good, despite some discoloration caused by runoff from Cimarron Creek. Flow Monday was 1,590 cfs and water temperature 42 degrees. Effective flies include #16 Adams dry, baetis imitations, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, WD-40s, Midges, Scuds, San Juan Worms, Woolly Buggers and eggs. Call the Cimarron Creek fly shop at 970-249-0408 for the latest conditions.
Gunnison River (through the canyon) : Flow is 1,440 cfs and clear all the way to Chukar Trail. Fishing has been very good with the lower flow. Mayflies and BWOs are still the primary hatches. Best flies to use are emergers and nymph patterns, including Woolly Buggers and beadheads, and #14-16 Adams dries. Downstream from the confluence with the North Fork, the river is blown out by runoff. The Gunnison River Pleasure Park is offering ferry service to help fishermen access the upper Gunnison. Call 970-872-2525 for current conditions. No motorized craft are allowed above the confluence with the North Fork. Other restrictions: Gold Medal Water, catch-and-release, flies and lures only. No rainbows may be kept and the bag limit on brown trout is one over 16 inches and three under 12 inches.
Gunnison River (Upper from Almont to Blue Mesa) : Warmer weather and recent rains have brought higher flows, 886 cfs Monday. Streamers were the top producers when the DOW released kokanee salmon fry upstream in the East River, and they still work on off-color days. Flyfishers have had the most consistent success nymphing with large Stones, Princes, Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Zebra Midges, Brassies and attractors. Lure fishermen have been scoring with Rapalas, Blue Fox Vibrax in #20 gold and silver colors, plastics and Marabou jigs. Flow, clarity and temperature can change daily in spring so check often. Call Almont Anglers at 970-641-7404 for current conditions.
Jackson Gulch Reservoir : The lake is now completely ice free, the boat ramp is open and the inlet is running. Not much fishing pressure yet. Ice-off is traditionally very good for the larger rainbows. Try gold or silver spinners along the dam, let them fall to near bottom then retrieve slowly. The inlet is a best fished with typical in-line spinners or minnow imitation crankbaits. Power Bait and nightcrawlers always produce. Downsize everything for small yellow perch. The park is open year-round with restrooms, yurts and campsites available for overnighters. Call 970-882-2213 or visit the State Parks link below for current conditions.
La Jara Creek : La Jara creek is free of ice. Flow was 398 cfs Monday, rising and becoming discolored. Fishing for brown trout should be fair through runoff, which tapers off in mid-June. The La Jara Creek State Wildlife Area is winter range for wildlife and closed to vehicular access through May 26. Walk-in access is allowed during the closure. After it opens, the road to the creek tends to be slick and muddy in spring so good tires and 4-wheel-drive are recommended.
La Jara Reservoir : No change. Access to the reservoir is currently closed due to snow. The road is expected to open around Memorial Day. The water level was lowered by drought over the past few years and most fish were lost. But there are still some catchable brook trout in the lake and fishing for them is expected to be fair. Rising water levels and improved water quality allowed the stocking of cutthroat trout and splake last year, but they may need another year to reach catchable size.
Lemon Reservoir : Ice is gone and there is good open-water action with small spinners and spoons. Besides stocker rainbows, this lake holds some large, naturally reproducing brown trout which usually hang around the inlet at this time of year. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
Los Pinos River : Flow is very high above Vallecito Reservoir and blown out by runoff, which usually lasts until mid-June. The lower river below the dam is largely inaccessible because of private property. Fishery was also damaged by the prolonged drought and the Missionary Ridge fire of 2002. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
McPhee Reservoir : This is a good reservoir to catch stocked rainbows and kokanee salmon, but it is also gaining a name for largemouth and smallmouth bass. The best bass fishing here is in May and June, before summer temperatures drive the fish to deeper water. Largemouths of 2-3 pounds are common with the occasional 5-pounder. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
Mountain Home Reservoir : Ice is completely off and the south boat ramp is usable. Water level is expected to be above average with the best conditions in May through July. Fishing should be good for rainbow trout of 10-16 inches using Power Bait, salmon eggs or lures of all types.
Navajo Reservoir : This reservoir straddles the Colorado-New Mexico border. Catfish are biting on suckers and northern pike on cut bait where the Piedra and San Juan Rivers come together on the Colorado side. Crappie have also started to bite in La Jara Canyon. smallmouth and largemouth bass and bluegills will become more active as the water warms.
Piedra River : Running very high and blown out by runoff. It fishes well when clear and enjoys a good Stonefly hatch beginning in June. For more information call Ski & Bow Rack at (970)264-2370 or Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
Platoro Reservoir : FSR 250 has been cleared to the town of Platoro but the Forest Service gate upstream from Horca remains closed to protect the road surface during snowmelt. The road to the reservoir from town should be clear of snow around Memorial weekend. Ice fishing for trout and kokanee has been fair to good. Ice should start coming off in mid-May but daytime temperatures are rising and anglers should use extreme caution when venturing out on the ice. Best fishing for brown trout is immediately after ice-out and for kokanee in early summer. Fishing for rainbow trout and splake remains good throughout the hot months.
Ridgway Fishing Ponds : Fishing remains slow to fair. These two ponds in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of Ridgway State Park are the only waters below the dam not restricted to flies and lures only or catch-and-release. You can keep a limit of trout here.
Ridgway Reservoir : Fishing for stocked rainbows remains excellent in the cove and anglers have caught a few bigger browns in the cove and along the south shore in Dallas Creek. Perch fishing is also good there. The reservoir is ice-free, open for boating and the courtesy dock is in the water. The visitor center is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for park passes, licenses and information.
Rio Grande High Country Streams : No change. High country streams are iced-up until May and June.
Rio Grande River : Flows are 1,040 cfs at Wagon Wheel, 1,280 cfs at Monte Vista and 1,090 cfs at Del Norte, high and discolored below the confluence with the South Fork, clear from South Fork to Creede. Fishing remains fair with stonefly nymphs such as 20-Inchers and Woolly Buggers. It should improve when the water clears. But runoff will be heavy this year because of above-average snowpack. Best fishing after runoff is mid-June through July when the river sees amazing hatches of Green Drakes, Caddis, Salmon Flies and other stoneflies, and lots of Mayflies. Brown trout fishing is rated good to excellent from Del Norte to Rio Grande Reservoir.
Road Canyon Reservoir : Ice is unsafe and fishing access is poor. Best fishing here is from May through July, good for rainbow trout up to 20 inches and brook trout up to 16 inches.
San Juan high-country lakes, streams : All snowed in at present and will be until mid-June. Once the snow clears, fishing is excellent in high-country waters of the San Juan National Forest and Weminuche Wilderness Area. The town of Silverton is a great jumping-off point to a variety of lakes and streams containing brook trout and cutthroats. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
San Juan River : Flow is over 3,000 cfs and the river is blown out by runoff, which could last well into June. Even when clear, the San Juan is best floated as there is very little access through private property for waders. But some of the feeder creeks on national forest land are accessible and provide good fishing when runoff ends. Fishing is always good on the San Juan Quality Waters in New Mexico, but a big release of water from Navajo Reservoir later this spring could affect that for a few weeks. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
Sanchez Reservoir : Water level is rising but boat ramp remains inaccessible and large boats will again be restricted this year. Fishing has been slow due to cold water temperatures, but should improve soon. Pike and walleyes bite best here in May and June.
Taylor Reservoir : Ice should be off by mid-May. Shore fishing is usually good around the Taylor River inlet on the north end and creek inlets along the eastern shoreline as the ice recedes. Rainbow trout and pike will feed actively in the shallows as soon as the ice is gone. Big lake trout will be found in deeper water, along the lower end of the river channel, and can be caught on Flatfish, Rapalas and jigs sweetened with sucker meat. Several big macks were caught in this reservoir last year.
Taylor River : Flows below Taylor Reservoir were increased from 50 to 150 cfs last week, coinciding with the release of kokanee salmon fry from the Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery on the East River. With big rainbows starting to spawn, the catch-and-release area below the dam has been fishing well with egg patterns, Miracle nymphs, Micro Midges and Mysis Shrimp. Good hatches of caddis are occurring from midday into evening. Anglers do well with nymphs or dry/dropper rigs featuring Pheasant Tails, Princes, Hare’s Ears, Copper Johns, midges and attractors in the #14-22 range. Spring Creek is good for small browns and rainbows of up to 12 inches if you don t mind walking through the snow. Link below or call Almont Anglers at 970-641-7404 for current conditions.
Trujillo Meadows Reservoir : No change from last week. Access to the reservoir is by snowmobile, ski or snowshoe only. Ice fishing for trout has been fair to good. Ice should start coming off in mid-May and the road to the reservoir should be clear of snow around Memorial weekend. Daytime temperatures have started to warm so anglers should exercise extreme caution before venturing on the ice. A logging contractor has been operating near the reservoir and caution should be used traveling the road. The USFS has some snowmobile closures on parts of the road due to the logging activity. Consult the Rio Grande National Forest office.
Tucker Ponds : No change from last week. Ponds are still iced up and access is by snowmobile only.
Uncompahgre River in Ridgway Park : Nymphing in the river above Ridgway Reservoir has been excellent with Woolly Buggers and other sub-surface patterns. The release rate below Ridgway Reservoir is 294 cfs.
Vallecito Reservoir : Ice is completely off and anglers are enjoying fair success on northern pike. Kokanee numbers are not as high as they used to be due to drought losses in prior years. When spawning pike move into the shallows, fishing is usually good at the north end where there is plenty of submerged structure, and the Los Pinos River inlet on the east side. Use big angry-colored plugs, Rapalas, water dogs or streamer flies for northerns. The lake also harbors a large population of rainbow trout and has yielded a state record German brown. For more information call Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970) 247-2660.
Williams Creek Reservoir : Ice is starting to come off, and water should be open in a week to 10 days. Then fishing will be excellent for cutthroats and brookies. Road to the reservoir is still snow-covered and the access gate is closed. The Williams Creek tailwater below the dam is running clear and fishing well, but anglers have to slog through snow or snowshoe in. Best flies: #6-10 Black or Olive Woolly Buggers, #4-10 Peacock Stones and #14 Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, Pheasant Tails and Green Copper Johns. Lure casters should use spinners in black, fire, orange or chartreuse colors. For current conditions call the Ski & Bow Rack at (970)264-2370 or Gardenswartz Sporting Goods at (970)247-2660.
STOCKING REPORT
The following bodies of water have been stocked in recent weeks by the Colorado Division of Wildlife:
Canon City Kids Pond; Chipeta Lake, south of Montrose; Daigre Reservoir, northeast of La Veta; DeWeese Reservoir, north of Westcliffe; Echo Canyon Reservoir, south of Pagosa Springs; Frantz Lake, northwest of Salida; Green Mountain Falls town lake; Manitou Reservoir, northwest of Woodland Park; Memorial Park Pond, Woodland Park; Monument Reservoir, west of Trinidad; Nichols Reservoir, east of Woodland Park; North Lake, west of Trinidad; Rampart Reservoir, east of Woodland Park; Sands Lake, below Mount Shavano; San Isabel Lake, northwest of Rye; and Wahatoya Reservoir, east of La Veta.
