| Denver Metro Region |
Arvada Reservoir – No change from last week at the reservoir. Occasional trout still are being taken on salmon eggs and Power Bait. Fishing for warm-water species remains on the slow side. Boaters may use only electric motors.
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Aurora Reservoir – The water temperature is 52 degrees. Not much has changed this week. Trout fishing remains fair to good. Pink and rainbow Power Bait, fished shallow from the dam and marina cove has been working best. From boats, trout action is fair to good trolling slowly with perch- and rainbow-colored Rapalas and Tasmanian Devils. Walleye action is slow for some, good for others from boats using jigs in 15-30 feet of water. Most fish being caught are not of legal size. Wipers have been seen cruising near the dam. Fishing for all other species is slow or no reports have been received. The limit for trout is two fish. Boating is restricted to electric motors. For additional information call 303-690-1286
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Barr Lake – Trout fishing is picking up using Rooster Tail and Mepps spinners. Catfish are getting a little more active, taking sucker meat off the bottom in deep water close to shore.
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Bear Creek – Time is short before the runoff. Around Morrison, a lot of trout are willing to take BWO’s, Elk-hair Caddis and midges, so give it a shot.
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Bear Creek Reservoir – Fishing for stocker trout remains fair, with early mornings and evenings the best times to catch a few. Use salmon eggs, worms or Power Bait. The best fishing spots are the Bear Creek inlet and the point at Pelican Point. Some smallmouth bass and saugeyes have been caught on worms. The fishing pier and the boat-launch docks are out.
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Berkeley Lake – Fishing for catchable-sized rainbow trout has been fair to good. The lake also has largemouth bass, crappie and channel catfish, among other warm-water species.
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Centennial Park Lake – The lake recently was stocked with catchable-sized trout, and also has a variety of warm-water fish. Try the usual array of baits and lures for trout. Good warm-water fishing is still a week or two away.
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Chatfield Ponds – Perch and crappie are doing well. Perch up to 10 inches are being caught using a shiner off a bobber. Bass are here, too. Cast a night crawler with no weight, let it sink and set the hook with the slightest feeling of weight.
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Chatfield Reservoir – The walleyes are hitting orange or chartreuse Rapalas. A Lindy Rig trolling a large shiner or leech is a sure bet. Smallmouth bass are big this year. Fish a large shiner or Bomber Lure close to structure to get a hit. For more information call 303-421-4025
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Cherry Creek Reservoir – Walleyes are hitting chartreuse-colored baits. Use a Rapala or a Lindy Rig tipped with a leech or shiner around the marina or along the dam. Find the feeding fish with electronics. For more information call 303-698-2550 and ask for Mike
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Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) – Black Elk-hair Caddis in size 16-18 are a must. Tying in a size 16 bead-head Prince Nymph below as a dropper fly is the trick here. Fish right out of Golden all the way to Black Hawk. Fish a hole, and if you don’t see fish, move up the creek. If you see them, you can catch them. Call 303-421-4025 for more information.
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Clear Lake – No current reports about the lake off Guanella Pass are available. The lake is stocked with catchable-sized rainbow trout and also has brook trout and a few browns.
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Evergreen Lake – Big spoons or large Rapalas have been taking tiger muskies here. Fish in shallow water during the heat of the day for the active feeders. Trout fishing has been fair using orange Power Bait off the bottom.
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Georgetown Lake – Fishing is improving. Orange Power Bait is taking some beautiful browns. Rooster Tails also have produced some action. Woolly Buggers are always a good bet this time of year.
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Gross Reservoir – The water level is low but the trout fishing is excellent at the inlet using night crawlers off the bottom in slack water. The best bite has been 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Otherwise, the tiger muskies are spooking out the trout.
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Jim Baker Reservoir – Catfish in the 24-inch range are being caught. Sucker meat and crawfish are the best bait at this time. Bass have been hitting shiners off a bobber. Trout fishing is doing good with Power Bait on the bottom. For more information call 303-421-4025
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Ketring Park Lake – The lake has a variety of mostly small warm-water fish. Fishing remains slow but should improve with continued warmer weather.
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Main Lake – The lake usually offers good early season fishing for crappie. The action has been a little slow but should pick up with continued warm weather. The lake also has bass up to 18 inches, and other warm-water species. Bass fishing usually picks up in mid to late May, when the fish move into shallow water to spawn. No boats are allowed on the lake.
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Quincy Reservoir – The water temperature is 60 degrees. Trout fishing is fair to good using flies. Bead-head Prince nymphs, leech patterns, olive Woolly Buggers and Zebra Midges have worked well. Spin-fishermen have enjoyed some action on trout using Panther Martins, Kastmasters and Tasmanian Devils. Bass fishing has not changed much this week – good for some, slow for others. Bass are starting to move into shallower water. Quincy Reservoir is restricted to fishing with artificial flies and lures. Please see the new defintion of artificial in the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s fishing regulations booklet. The limit for trout at Quincy is two. Bass must be at least 18 inches to keep. All boats must be hand-launched. For more information call 303-693-5463.
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Rocky Mountain Lake – Trout fishing has been good with Orange Power bait or a minnow on a bobber. Some nice trout are caught here; give it a shot.
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Sloans Lake – Trout fishing has been fair using Super Dupers or Mepps spinners. Otherwise, try Power Bait off the bottom. Dough balls can be effective for carp.
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Smith Reservoir – Warm-water fishing has been slow, but is gradually improving with rising water temperatures. Crappie usually are the first to become active. Largemouth and smallmouth bass become active a little later, and continue to provide potentially good fishing well into the summer.
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South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) – Flows have been a little up-and-down, but generally in the range of 125-225 cfs. The water is clear, and fly fishermen have noted good Baetis mayfly activity. The section from Strontia Springs Dam downstrem to 300 yards above the Marston diversion structure is restricted to artificial flies and lures and offers the best fishing. The most effective lures for spin-fishermen are small Panther Martins, Mepps or Blue Fox spinners. Night crawlers are most effective in the unrestricted lower stretch.
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Standley Lake – The water level is good, about 8 feet below capacity. Run-off should begin to fill the lake in 2-3 weeks. The water temperature is in the mid- to upper 40’s. Fishing for trout has been good off the bottom on worms and Power Bait. The park is open sunrise to sunset for walk-in access. Drive-in access is from 7 a.m. to sunset, with a $6 access fee for vehicles. The boating and camping seasons began May 1. Call the park visitor center at (303) 425-1097 for complete information about permits and regulations.
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Washington Park Lakes – Crappie running up to 10 inches can provide some interesting fishing this time of year. Try a small Fle Fly jig or live minnow below a bobber about 3 feet down. Bass and catfish will become more active as the water warms. Try tube jigs, rubber worms or shiner minnows for the bass.
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Webster Lake – The lake has been stocked with catchable-sized trout, and fishing for them has been fair to good. The lake also has bass, perch and catfish, which should become more active in May.
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| Northeast Region |
Barker Reservoir – The ice is coming off, and this is a great time of year for trout fishing. Use worms, Power Bait or Kastmasters along the north shore and inlet. Fly fishermen typically have their best luck at the inlet. Tiger muskies can be found in deeper waters – try along the north shore.
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Bellaire Lake – The lake was stocked with catchable-sized trout last week.
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Big Creek Lakes – The lakes remain frozen and inaccessible. Ice-out usually occurs in mid to late May.
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Big Thompson Ponds – Litle has changed. The water temperature is about 50 degrees. Fishing for largemouth bass has slowed, possibly because the fish soon will be spawning. The ponds also have bluegills, channel catfish and crappie.
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Big Thompson River – The river below Lake Estes remains clear, flowing at about 100 cfs, but picks up some color downstream. Blue-wing-olive mayflies, stoneflies and midges are common on the river above and below the dam. Fly fishing for rainbow trout has been good in the tailwater and above the lake. Try Comparadun or Parachute Adams dry flies if trout are rising; No. 18-22 bead-head nymphs if not. If stoneflies are evident, try a Stimulator pattern in the pocket water. Spin-casters have been taking some fish on small, silver-bladed Mepps and Panther Martin spinners. Rainbow trout still are spawning; be careful not to disturb the redds. Flies-and-lures and catch-and-release provisions are in effect from Lake Estes to the Waltonia bridge. Sudden rainstorms and lightning are possible this time of year.
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Boedecker Reservoir – Crappie fishing is heating up. Try a shiner on a bobber for crappie or cast a spinnerbait for some bass.
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Boulder Reservoir – Smallmouth bass have been taking minnows and white jigs. Try fishing off both dams or at the beach near the southeast boat ramp. The north shore, especially by the inlet, is also picking up. Worms are still catching walleyes. Boaters are doing well by the dam. Note the new regulation on this reservoir: Walleyes must be at least 15 inches in length to keep, and only one walleye over 21 inches can be kept. The bag limit for walleyes still is five.
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Boyd Lake – Trout fishing has slowed down, but a variety of other fish have become more active in recent days. Fishing for medium-sized crappie has been fairly good, with some larger ones mixed in, and fishermen also have taken a few white bass. Jigs and fathead minnows have taken most of the crappie.
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Carter Reservoir – Walleye fishing has been good between Dam 3 and Dam 2 on the east side of the lake. Fishermen are having their best luck using suspending stickbaits at night. Fish shallow to moderate depths along gravel ledges, points and submerged structure. Bass have yet to turn on, but should be starting any day.
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Chambers Lake – The lake is opening up around the edges but at last report still was mostly ice-covered. Fishing for trout and mackinaw usually is good right after ice-out, probably in a week or two.
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Cowdrey Lake – Cowdrey Lake is fishing fairly well with Kastmasters in gold and silver, and floating Rapalas in rainbow and silver. Fly fishermen are doing fair with No. 16 red Chironomids and No. 16 orange scuds. Fishing has been best from boats on the west side of lake in 8-10 feet of water.
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Douglas Reservoir – Trout Fishing is fair using minnows off a bobber. Wiper fishing is fair. Try a large shiner off a bobber, or slowly troll Rat’L’Traps for the big boys.
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Dowdy Lake (Red Feather) – Power Bait is the key to catching the trout here. Fish it close to the bottom, or use a Kastmaster near the camping areas for the best luck. Boaters should head to the islands and cast.
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Dumont Lake – The lake remains frozen. Expect ice-out in late May to early June.
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East Delaney Lake – East Delaney Butte continues to fish OK but not great. Cold water temperatures have many bugs still moving slowly. Until the water warms up fishing will be sporadic. Once temperatures come up, look for chironomids and crayfish to be the ticket. This time of year tube-jig style lures(swim baits) are still picking up fish. Think of trout as cold-water bass, and many of the same rigs will work. Fishermen may use only artificial flies or lures. The limit on trout is two. All brown trout 14-20 inches long, and rainbows and cutthroats 18-22 inches long must immediately be returned to the water alive.
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Estes Lake – The lake has a large number of holdover trout, and early season fishing has been excellent. Fly fishermen have been taking some rainbows around the inlet on egg patterns and small streamer flies. Power Bait, salmon eggs and worms also have been effective. Spin-casters might try Z-Rays, Thomas Buoyants and Kastmasters.
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Flatiron Reservoir – Trout fishing still is slowing but the reservoir should soon be stocked. Fishing has been best during late afternoon and early morning, but fish can still be caught throughout the day. Try using Power Bait, Fireballs or worms.
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Hidden Lakes – The lakes remain frozen and inaccessible.
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Hohnholz Lakes – Brown trout averaging 14-20 inches are being caught on black Woolly Buggers. Damselfly nymphs are another good bet. Only artificial flies or lures may be used here.
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Horsetooth Reservoir – The reservoir is filling, bringing a rush of water down the inlet channel. The inlet channel into the reservoir, located near Inlet Bay, is closed to fishing March 15-May 31. Fishing in Inlet Bay has slowed down slightly but is still producing some large trout, along with some sublegal-sized walleyes. Smallmouth activity is slowly picking up in the Eltuck Bay area. Bright-colored grubs seem to be the best bet. Note the new walleye size regulations this year at Horsetooth. The bag limit is five walleyes over 18 inches, with only one fish over 21 inches in length.
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Jackson Reservoir – Due to changing weather patterns, fishing has slowed considerably but should, once again, improve as it warms up. Trout fishing is fair from the west shore and inlet using Power Bait, night crawlers and minnow imitations. Fishing is slow to fair for all other species. The water temperature is in the high 50s to low 60s. If you are fishing from boats, try fishing the north end and west side of the reservoir at a depth of 3-4 feet for trout, walleyes and wipers. Night crawlers seem to be working best for all species.
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Joe Wright Reservoir – The lake remains ice-covered. Grayling and trout usually go on a feeding binge shortly after ice-out. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures. The limit for trout is two fish at least 16 inches long.
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Jumbo Reservoir – Fishing at the reservoir is slow. Very few trout and crappie are being caught. Water temperature is in the mid-50s. Boating has increased, but few fish are being caught. Increasing water temperature and warming weather should bring better fishing in the coming week. A habitat stamp is required to enter this State Wildlife Area.
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Lake John – Lake John fished best last weekend for fishermen who were trolling. Kastmasters and Tasmanian Devils were the best. Fly fishermen are doing fair on Woolly Buggers with a scud trailer. Kick a float tube on the south end near the chokecherries for the best luck.
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Laramie River at Hohnholz SWA – Blue-wing-olives in size 16 are taking most of the trout, but a lot also are caught on Gold-ribbed Hare’s Ears. Gold Kastmasters also are taking a few.
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Lon Hagler Reservoir – The lake has been stocked with trout, and 8- to 10-inch rainbows still is fairly good. Crappie have become more active as the water warms, and fishing can be fairly good, but cold weather still can slow thing down.
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Lonetree Reservoir – Fishing for warm-water species remains fairly tough, but a few bass, walleyes and decent-sized crappie have been taken. The water level remains low, leaving relatively little cover and making the inlet area the likeliest location for finding crappie. Expect fishing to improve with warmer weather. Early season fishing should be fairly good, but with an increase in this year’s forage base, well-fed fish may be difficult to catch later.
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Long Draw Reservoir – At last report, the lake still had ice and access was difficult to impossible. Ice-out usually occurs in mid to late May, and the road is cleared later.
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Lost Lake (at Chambers) – At last report, the lake remained covered with ice. Expect good fishing right after ice-out.
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North Delaney Lake – North Delaney Butte, the best of North Park lakes when looking for big fish, has been fair to good. Fly fishermen have been doing great with large streamer patterns fished on a slick line in 8-10 feet of water. Patterns should be big and orange, black or olive. (#4 olive, black, or orange Rubber Buggers, #4 crayfish, #2 mouse patterns, and CH Zuddlers in black #6). Lure fishermen are doing well along the dam with fire-tiger Kastmasters and Rapalas. The limit is two trout, except that all browns 14-20 inches in length and rainbows and cutthroats 18-22 inches must immediately be returned to the water alive. Fishing is prohibited in the inlet above the standing water line.
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North Michigan Lake – Open water has appeared at the inlet and outlet, and a little open water is evident around the edges. A handful of anglers have fished the open water with success using black Woolly Buggers and Power Bait.
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North Park Alpine Lakes – The lakes remain covered with ice and snow, and will remain that way for some time.
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North Park Streams – The North Park meadow streams are fishing great. These fish are very migratory, and while the North Platte is high and off-color, the bigger fish will retreat to the meadow-stream tributaries for better conditions. Fly fishermen are doing well fishing a Bettle/Dropper rig, usually dropping a No. 14 Pheasant Tail or No. Hare’s Ear. Large yellow, orange, or black Zonker streamer patterns fished under brush and overhanging branches also can be effective. Lure fishermen need only cast a No. 3 Mepps spinner – and hold on. Michigan Creek below the reservoir and in Walden is rising but still fishable. The Illinois through the Arapahoe Wildlife Refuge is open to fishing until June 1.
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North Platte River – The river is open and holding around 1,200 cfs. The peak of runoff is expected in the beginning of June. The water clarity still needs to improve for fishing to be great. Fishing before 2 p.m. has been most productive. Bright flies and lures cast to the banks will be the most effective in off-color water. Call the North Park Anglers at (970) 723-4215 for conditions updates.
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North Sterling Reservoir – The water temperature is around 56 degrees and fishing seems to be improving. It’s been slow for wipers off the dam on jigs and bait, fair for catfish in the coves and dam on shrimp, and fair for walleyes in less than 10 feet of water on the points and rocky flats using small jigs. A 9.5- pound and 5-pound walleye were turned in this week, along with several catfish up to 6 pounds. The outlet has been turned on, but the inlet still is off. The lake is about three feet below capacity, covering about 2,700 surface acres. Boat ramps all are usable, and both courtesy docks are in. Call the park office at 970-522-3657 for current conditions.
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Parvin Lake (Red Feather) – Fishing for rainbows is good using a fly-and-bobber combination. Belly boaters should do well trolling black Woolly Bugger around the island. An artificial flies-and-lures restriction is in effect.
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Pinewood Reservoir – Fishing for trout is fair around the inlet and the Fisherman’s Cove area using Power Bait and salmon eggs, though worms seem to be the hot bait this week.
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Poudre River – The river has dropped somewhat with cooler nights, and has been flowing at about 250 cfs. Though lower portions may have a litle color, the water generally is clear and fishing for brown trout and some rainbows has been quite good. Blue-wing-olive mayflies still are the primary bug on the water, but trout also have been taking stonefly imitations drifted just above the bottom. Anglers also report some red quills on the water, slightly ahead of schedule. The North Fork and other tributaries also are clear, but a warming trend could trigger the main runoff, possibly in a week or two. Call (970) 498-8968 for updates.
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Prewitt Reservoir – The reservoir is full. The courtesy boat dock is in. Fishing for all species is slow. A habitat stamp is required to enter this State Wildlife Area.
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Ranger Lakes – The area has not opened for the seaon. Upper Ranger Lake was drained for dam rapairs last year. It should refill this summer.
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Seeley Lake – The lake recently was stocked with catchable trout. Get on it; they should hit anything for a while. Try orange Power Bait off a bobber or a Super Duper spin-casting lure.
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Seymour Reservoir – The lake south of Walden recently was stocked with catchable-sized trout. A variety of baits and lures should produce some pan-sized fish.
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Simpson Ponds – The water is still a little cold for truly good fishing, but fishermen have been taking a few small largemouth bass and occasional crappie. Though crappie numbers have not been high, the fish being caught have been quite large. Try a small spinner or a small, light-color suspending Rapala for bass. Jigs and minnows have been taking the crappie.
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South Delaney Lake – The spawning fish are just about done on South Delaney Butte. Every year just after ice-off, the cutts and ‘bows will spawn in the ditch and worry about nothing but that. Now that they are almost done, will be time for them to put on a few pounds. Look for South Delaney to get hot! chironomids will be the ticket, but No. 14-16 scuds in olive and tan also will take fish. Fishing beetles along the west side of the lake near the overhanging willows also can be productive. This lake will turn on; it’s just days away. Only artificil flies and lures may be used. The limit is two trout, but all browns 14-20 inches long and rainbows and cutthroats 18-22 inches long must be released. Fishing is prohibited in the inlet above the standing water line.
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St. Vrain River – The river has been low and clear. Fly fishermen report some decent activity on midge patterns, blue-wing-olive mayflies and small brown stoneflies. A few caddis also are on the water.
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Teal and Tiago Lakes – No current report available.
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Union Reservoir (Calkins) – Anglers are still catching 15- to 20-inch wipers, with a few larger ones also being taken. The change in the weather has slowed the wiper fishing somewhat, but it should pick up again with a few nice days. Evenings and days with some chop on the water are currently the best times. Fishing for trout is good along the west shore from the boat ramp to the pier. Most trout are being caught on worms fished on the bottom. The reservoir is currently 2 feet down. The reservoir in open for camping, and anglers may fish all night. Boating is restricted to wakeless speeds. The minimum size for crappie is 10 inches, and 15 inches for wipers.
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Watson Lake – Smallmouth bass are getting feisty. Work a black jig off the bottom. Fish slow until the water heats up. Trout are being caught on Rooster Tail and Mepps spinners.
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Wellington Reservoir #4 – The lake recently was stocked, and trout are a sure thing here. Power Bait and night crawlers are the key. Flies such as Bloody Butchers and Woolly Buggers are a good bet, also.
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| Northwest Region |
Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) – The flow below Green Mountain Reservoir has been cut back to 109. The river below the dam is clear and fishable, but farther downstream the water can be discolored with afternoon rain storms. Fishing is fair to good on San Juan worms and small emerger patterns for some large fish. Spin-casters are throwing No. 7 Rapalas. The tailwater is subject to periodic security clsosures. Three other public access points are available on BLM land downriver to the confluence with the Colorado River, 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.
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Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) – Little has changed during the past week. Flows from Dillon Reservoir remain at 101 cfs. On-and-off snow during the past week kept the river clear and uncrowded. Midge patterns have been working best. Black Beauties, Flash-wing midges and Brooks Sprout midges have been effective, used as dropper flies below Mysis shrimp and egg pattern attractors. From Blue River Campground to Green Mountain Reservoir, San Juan Worms, Copper Johns, small stoneflies, Tungsten Hare’s Ears and Cadillac Pheasant Tails have produced well. The river may be off-color in the afternoon.
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Colorado River (below Parshall) – The fishing above Kremmling still is fairly good with flows of approximately 600 cfs above the confluence with the Blue River and Muddy Creek, but the river can become off-color because of afternoon showers and runoff. At Parshall, use small emerger and egg paterns, but be mindful of spawning rainbows and try not to stress the fish. Plenty of good-sized browns also are being caught. At Kremmling, on the public accesses, spin-fishermen are doing well throwing Rapalas and Blue Fox spinners. Downstream at Pump House, watch for hatches of blue-wing-olives. Flows down here are around 1,300 cfs. For current conditions, call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
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Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) – The Colorado River below Glenwood Springs is heavily discolored, flowing at more than 5,000 cfs and unfishable. If you are looking for fishable water, the Frying Pan and upper Roaring Fork have been red hot. Expect the Colorado to remain discolored through the runoff season and begin clearing mid to late June. Call the Taylor Creek Flyshop in Basalt for current river conditions at 970-927-4374.
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Colorado River (near Granby) – Fishing below Parshall remains fairly good. Spring is finally here. Streams will have color and will have increased flow during the run-off season. Egg patterns, San Juan worms, small nymphs, black midges, Woolly Buggers and Copper Johns have been working well. The stream flow below Windy Gap last weekend was down to 368 cfs. due to pumping into Granby Reservoir. However, near Kremmling, it was running at 1,360 cfs. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the west end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept. For current conditions call Budget Tackle in Granby at (970) 887-9344.
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Crystal River – The Crystal River is heavily discolored, unfishable and flowing at more than 970 cfs in Carbondale. However, the Frying Pan and the upper Roaring Fork are fishing exceptionally well. Expect the Crystal to remain discolored until the end of runoff, sometime in June. For daily river reports please contact the Taylor Creek Flyshop at 970-927-4374.
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Elk River – The lower river is high and roily. Fishing is difficult, at best. Conditions above the Christina State Wildlife Area are marginal with high, cold water that is picking up color from melting snow.
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Fryingpan River – The Pan has been exceptionally consistent the past week. As other rivers throughout the West succumb to runnoff, the Frying Pan will remain gin-clear as it flows out of Ruedi Reservoir. Light angling pressure, good even flows and more and more blue-winged-olives daily have been the formula for great fishing the past week. Hot fly patterns have been SZ 20 Jujubee Midges, BWO Biot Emergers, Flashback PT’s, gray and black RS-2s, Parachute BWOs, Sparkle Dun BWOs, Trailing Shuck Midges, Frying Pan Emergers, and if you are up by the dam, Mysis shrimp have been good choices, as well.
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Granby Reservoir – The Sunset boat ramp opened last week. Shore fishing is staying good on all types of bait and lures. Dress for muddy conditions. Pink, white, glow and chartreuse have been working best for rainbow and brown trout. Pink, red, and white with silver flash work for kokanee. For brown trout, gold, silver, and brown-trout patterns are good lure colors. However, all fish are hungry and hitting almost anything. Rainbows are hitting suckers, shiners and fathead minnows. Also, they are feeding very shallow. For current conditions call Budget Tackle in Granby at (970)887-9344.
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Grand Lake – Early birds do best fishing the drop-offs. The channel between Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake has been fishing well. Please call Budget Tackle if you have any first-hand fishing reports. For current conditions call Budget Tackle in Granby at (970) 887-9344.
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Green Mountain Reservoir – The lake is free of ice. Shoreline fishermen have been picking up a few rainbow trout on Kastmasters. Ice-out is an especially good time to fish for lake trout, and several large lakers have been taken the past two weeks. For more information, call (970) 724-3677.
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Harvey Gap Reservoir – Harvey Gap is full and the water temperature is 58 degrees. Northern pike are the chief attraction. Try for pike and trout off the dam with a gold or silver spoon. One of the more active areas is the inlet. Trolling is always a good plan. As the temperature increases, so will the activity for bass, bluegill, sunfish and catfish. The minimum-size limit for bass is 15 inches. The bag and possession limit for catfish is two fish. A single-lane concrete boat ramp is located at the east entrance to the park, but boat motors (in use) are restricted to 20 horsepower or less. The 2006 fishing regulations, fishing information and State Park annual passes are available at the Rifle Gap visitor center.
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Highline Lake – The water temperature is about 52 degrees and the lake is full. Fishing still is slow but it is picking up. Most of the trout have been caught on worms. Both boat ramps are open. Use caution when launching at the east ramp because of a high volume of mud and silt coming in from the canal.
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Lake Avery – The lake is free of ice and attracting a fair number of ice-out fishermen, who have enjoyed very good success. The standard assortment of baits and lures has been effective. For current conditions, call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
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Mack Mesa Lake – The water temperature is about 59 degrees and water levels are high. Mack Mesa has been stocked several times with catchable-sized trout and fishing has been very good. Power Bait and trout lures are working well. Most trout caught are about 10 inches long. Mack Mesa is restricted to hand-propelled craft or boats with small, electric trolling motors.
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Muddy Creek – With water flowing out the spillway on Wolford Reservoir, flows are in the 500 cfs range, making for dificult fishing. Stripping a Woolly Bugger or throwing a Kastmaster or Panther Martin spinner may catch a nice rainbow or brown. Bait fishermen are using night crawlers or salmon eggs. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
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Pearl Lake – The lake is ice-free, but the roa into Pearl Lake is closed because of snow. The lake is down about one foot but is filling with run-off. Woolly Buggers, small crayfish imitations, Glo Bugs and jigging with spinners might produce some action. An artificial-flies- and-lures restriction is in effect. A 1/2 mile hike into the lake through sections of snow is necessary.
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Rifle Gap Reservoir – The lake is full. The water temperature is 56 degrees. The East Rifle Creek inlet is still somewhat cloudy from snowmelt. Try deep-running lures or streamer flies for pike. Trout have been hitting Panther Martin spinners and streamer flies. Perch fishing is picking up using a No. 8 hook tipped with a small piece of worm. A few visitors caught walleye last weekend. The boat ramp and docks are in the water. The catch-all in this lake seems to be a perch-imitation type of lure. For walleyes, use a deep-running lure or jig. The regulation on walleyes at Rifle Gap now reads, “Bag, possession limit and minimum size for walleyes is 3, 18 inches long.” The 2006 fishing regulations, fishing information and State Parks Annual passes are available at the visitor center.
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Rio Blanco Lake – Fishermen have been catching some crappie and bluegills on red, white and chartreuse crappie jigs. A few northern pike have been taken on crankbaits. For current conditions, call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
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Roaring Fork River – The Roaring Fork is clear and fishing really well from Carbondale to Aspen. Current water flows are about 127 cfs in Aspen and 865 cfs in Basalt. Good hatches of midges, blue-wing-olive mayflies and caddis are occurring during the afternoons. Nymph fishing below Aspen has been exceptional using BWO and midge imitations, as well as smaller stonefly patterns. Below Carbondale, the river is too high and muddy to fish effectively. Call the Taylor Creek Flyshop in Basalt for daily river conditions at 970-927-4374.
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Shadow Mountain Reservoir – Heavy pumping through the canal all winter made fishing very good in the canal and out into the lake. All the ice is gone and the boat ramps are open. Fishing has been good below Shadow Mountain Dam, all the way to Granby Reservoir. Sow bugs and Mysis shrimp patterns, as well as midges, RS-2s, and Copper Johns are working. Rapalas, Kastmasters and Panther Martins are popular lures. A little walk can be productive. For current conditions call Budget Tackle in Granby at(970) 887-9344.
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Stagecoach Reservoir – The ice is gone and the lake is open for boating. The best luck has been reported from boats near the inlet. Anglers report catching around three trout an hour using night crawlers. Trout fishing is picking up at Lot 16 using worms and marshmallows. One nice, 2 1/2 lb. fish was caught there Saturday morning. Most of the trout are around 16 inches and being caught in the morning. Pike are hitting in the same area on sucker meat and night crawlers, and at Morrison Cove with minnows. A few have been reported near the shoreline along County Road 18 on red-and-silver spoons. The tailwaters are showing the most activity on red and green midges. The water level is at maximum and is still muddy at the Yampa River inlet. For more condition information, please visit www.parks.state.co.us.
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Steamboat Lake – The lake is ice-free. All roads except Sage Flats are open. Inlet streams are beginning to fish well above the lake. Olive Woolly Buggers, large emerging nymphs, slow jigging with spinning gear, night crawlers and salmon eggs are producing nice fish. Limited camping is available. The lake is down about two feet but beginning to fill with run-off.
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Trappers Lake – The lake remains ice-covered and access still is problematic. The ice typically comes off around Memorial Day. The lake is an outstanding fishery for naturally reproducing cutthroat trout and an important source of cutthroat spawn for the DOW. Fishermen may use only artificial flies or lures. The limit on cutthroats is two fish. All cutts longer than 11 inches must immediately be returned to the water alive. Fishermen are encouraged to keep all the brook trout they catch to benefit the cutthroat fishery. For conditions updates call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
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Vega Reservoir – Fishing for trout has been excellent,with most running 12-19 inches. The Leon, Park and Plateau Creek inlets are open, and fishing is very good. Power Bait, salmon eggs, worms and bright lures have been effective. Small dry flies also are taking some fish near shore, especially at dawn and dusk. Shoreline access remains snow-packed and muddy in places. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is recommnded, but be cautious to avoid an expensive towing bill. The Early Settlers and Island boat ramps are open. Boters are doing well trolling metallic lures on the north side. Make reservation now for Memorial Day by calling (800) 678-2267 or logging on to www.parks.state.co.us.
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White River – The river is high, discolored and essentially unfishable. For conditions updates, call Wyatt’s Sporting Goods in Meeker at (970) 878-4428.
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Williams Fork Reservoir – With the lake rising fast, fishing is heating up. Big pike are in the shallows and lake trout are being caught in deeper water. Fish the fingers for trout and the flats for pike. Try off the points for big lakers; up in the inlet for good trout. For current conditions, call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
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Williams Fork River – The flow is around 100 cfs and the fishing is excellent. A lot of rainbow trout are running up the Williams Fork from the Colorado, and plenty of browns are feeding on the eggs. Drift egg patterns or small nymphs to entice the browns. Be mindful of the spawners and try not to stress them too much. For current conditions, call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
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Willow Creek Reservoir – Bank fishing has been good. Power Bait and worms are the baits of choice. Rapalas, Kastmasters, and Panther Martins have been doing well. The campground reportedly will be opened on May 17. For current conditions call Budget Tackle in Granby at (970) 887-9344.
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Wolford Reservoir – With the water level as high as it has ever been, the lake continues to fish very well. Fish the coves and shallow water on east side of the lake. Throw a Kastmaster or troll a small spoon to entice these hungry fish. For current conditions call the Fishin’ Hole in Kremmling at (970) 724-9407.
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Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) – The runoff is under way. Expect high, discolored conditions at least until mid-June. When clear, the river offers potentially good fishing for trout and northern pike, but much of it flows through private property with limited public access.
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Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) – Fishing in the tailwater below Stagecoach Reservoir remains fairly good with midge and occasional blue-wing-olive mayfly activity reported. But as essentially the only fishably clear stream in the vicinity, on some days it has been crowded. The runoff has begun around Steamboat Springs. The river likely will be unfishable until mid-June at the earliest. Call the Steamboat Fly Fishing Company at(970) 879-6552 for current conditions.
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| Southeast Region |
Adobe Creek Res. (Blue Lake) – Catfish and crappie have been biting sporadically. Very few anglers have fished Blue Lake so far this spring. The water level is much improved from last summer, but summer irrigation draw-downs already have begun. A large number of fingerling crappie were stocked late last summer. With fresh water and large areas of newly flooded weeds and brush, crappie, white bass and other warm-water species are expected to recover quickly, but 2006 will be largely a rebuilding year. The water will continue to go down with irrigation demands this summer, but should remain well above the record lows of the past few years. ATVs and dirt bikes are not permitted on the state wildlife area.
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Anticline Lake – The popular lake below Pueblo Dam is heavily stocked with trout in the spring and offers good fishing into early summer.
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Arkansas River #3 (Through Pueblo) – Flows have come up to more than 500 cfs, but the water is clear and fishing remains very good. A dry-dropper rig, with an elk-hair caddis on top and a bead-head Pheasant Tail 20 some inches below, has been effective along the edges of faster currents. Hatches have been sporadic; nymphing has been the most productive technique. Frequent stocking of this stretch usually makes for excellent fishing. Between 30,000 and 40,000 catchable-sized rainbow trout are stocked annually, in addition to the brood fish. Habitat improvements have created deeper pools and structure for the fish to thrive in even when releases from Pueblo Dam are minimal. Standard fishing regulations and limits are in effect on this section of the river.
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Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) – This is the week for fishing this section of the Arkansas River. Flows are in the 550 cfs range with good clarity and water temperatures have risen to the point where caddis will be hatching. Blue-wing-olives continue to come off on cloudy days, also. Go to www.arkanglers.com for more information.
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Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) – Flows on this reach are 185 cfs in Hayden Meadows and 450 at Granite. Blue-wing-olives are the main staple now, with caddis expected to move into the upper river next week. For more information, visit www.arkanglers.com.
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Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) – Current flows are 575 cfs at Wellsville and 630 at Parkdale. The river has 3-4 feet of visibility. Caddis have moved above Howard; blue-wing-olives continue to hatch on cloudy days. Go to www.arkanglers.com for updated reports.
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Beckwith Reservoir – The lake southwest of Pueblo recently was stocked with catchable-sized trout. Try salmon eggs, Power Bait or night crawlers; small shiny spoons and spinners if spin-casting.
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Bonny Reservoir – The lake temperature is around 60 degrees and the fish are starting to bite. A few people have tried fishing from boats and have taken a few white bass and wipers on jigs and minnows. No reports of crappie have come in yet. A few limits of 2-pound catfish have been taken on the south and north shores. Walleyes should start biting at any time. The two-lane marina ramp is open and the courtesy dock has been installed. The lake is still 18.5 feet below the full mark. Consult the Colorado State Parks Web site for current conditions and closures.
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Brush Hollow Reservoir – Fishing for trout remains very good. Fishermen also are taking some nice-sized crappie near cover. Small bluegills and small bass also are appearing in the catch. The water level is dropping noticeably. The boat ramp is marginally usable. A DOW creel census is being conducted at the lake and anglers are asked to participate in the study. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment found mercury levels exceeding human-health-based standards in certain sized walleyes. An official advisory is to be posted this spring or summer.
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Catamount Reservoirs, North & South – The lakes are part of the North Slope Recreation Area on Pikes Peak and opened for the season on April 29. Both have been stocked with catchable-sized trout, and both also have mackinaw and a few brook trout, in addition to holdover rainbows and cutthroats from last year’s stocking. Both have good water levels to begin the fishing season. Fishing for rainbows is excellent at both North and South Catamount. Fishing for macinaw is slow with a few smaller fish being landed. North Catamount has a flies-and-lures restriction. An access fee for the Pikes Peak Highway is required to fish these lakes. A DOW creel census is being conducted at these lakes and anglers are asked to participate in the study.
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Clear Creek Reservoir – The lake is free of ice. Fishing for trout from shore and boats has been fair. The lake typically produces very good fishing for rainbow, cutthroat and a few large brown trout. It also has kokanee salmon, mostly less than 13 inches with a few over 15, and fishing for them should be good in 2006. The water-supply reservoir was full last year and also will be filled to capacity in 2006.
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Cottonwood Lake – The lake is completely free of ice. Fishing for holdover trout has been fair. Try salmon eggs, night crawlers or Power Bait.
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Crystal Creek Reservoir – The reservoir along the Pikes Peak Highway opened for the season on April 29. The water level is improving from the past few years. The lake has been stocked, and fishing for catchable-sized trout is excellent. Access requires paying a fee at the Pikes Peak Highway tollgate. A DOW creel census is being conducted at the lake and anglers are asked to participate in the study.
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Daigre Reservoir – Few fishermen have been on the water and reports are scarce. Fishing is retricted to fishing with artificial flies and lures.
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DeWeese Reservoir – Little fishing activity has been noted and reports are scarce. The reservoir will be full in 2006. Catchable trout will be stocked early and should provide good fishing through the season. Some holdover rainbow trout are in the 16- to 20-inch range. The lake has fewer brown trout but some are in the 16- to 18-inch range. Smallmouth bass are abundant and should provide some fast action. Most are 6-12 inches in length, but some 16-inchers occasionally are caught.
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Elevenmile Reservoir – The reservoir is open to boating ½ hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The bag and possession limit is 10 kokanee salmon and four trout, of which only two can be 16 inches or greater. No limit applies to northern pike. Trout action is fair. Trout are beginning to leave spawning beds for deeper water. Hot-color Power Baits, various jigs and spoons, and night crawlers are working well. Pike fishing is poor using Rapalas and sucker meat; however, pike action is expected to pick up as the water temperature approaches 39 degrees. Kokanee salmon action is fair from boat using Pop baits, Kastmasters, and various trolling spoons. Gold and pink are the best colors.
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Fountain Lake – Like other urban lakes in Pueblo, this one is stocked 12 months a year. Trout fishing usually is good in the spring and fall, and slows down during the summer months. The lake also has some catfish.
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Hayden Meadows Reservoir – The lake is free of ice and recently was stocked with catchable-sized trout.
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Horseshoe Reservoir – The water level is good and the temperature is about 54 degrees. Shore and boat anglers have been doing well fishing for trout with Fireballs, salmon eggs, worms, and small minnows. Look for activity for other species to increase as the water warms up. The boat dock is in place. For current conditions, call (719) 738-2376.
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Jefferson Lake – At 10,687 feet, the lake is covered with deteriorating ice and the access road is closed because of snowdrifts, but walking in is possible. The lake typically offers good fishing for stocked trout, as well as occasional holdover rainbows and brook trout. Large mackinaw can be taken from shore around ice-out, and smaller (12- to 18-inch)lakers are taken from shore through the summer.
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John Martin Reservoir – Wipers and a few crappie have been caught off the dam face on shad and minnows. Wipers and walleyes also have been taken from the spillway on jigs and minnows. Saugeyes, including a 7-pounder taken on a cratreuse jig, are being caught in the spillway. Large catfish are biting in the spillway along with white bass. Lake Hasty has been stocked with trout and they are biting on Power Bait. More than 5,000 trout have been stocked in the main reservoir. Many young wipers and saugeyes went through the dam, but white bass, crappie and catfish remain abundant. ATVs and dirt bikes are not permitted on the state wildlife area.
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Lake Henry – The water level was excellent last year and should remain good in 2006. Few fishermen have been on the water, but fishing should be good this spring, especially for catfish. The lake also has crappie, wipers and saugeyes, and fishing for them should improve as the lake rebounds from recent low-water years.
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Lake Meredith – This large, shallow lake was restocked in 2005 after being completely dry the previous year. Those fish should be nearing catching size, but the water remains low and the status of the fishery is unclear. Fishing may be difficult because of low-water conditions. Small boats can launch on the gravel ramp. Little fishing activity has been noted so far. Water temperatures are warming quickly and currently are in the upper-50s.
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Manitou Lake – Fishing success at the lake north of Woodland Park largely depends on periodic stocking. The lake is on U.S. Forest Service property and has picnic tables and other amenities. An entry fee is required. Forest Service campgrounds are nearby.
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Martin Lake – The water level is high. Trout fishing has been good on Fireballs, regular salmon eggs, and worms. The water temperature is in the mid- to upper 50s. A fire ban is in place at the park, with only propane grills allowed. A new boat ramp will be constructed in May, so docks are not out yet. Call the park office at 719-738-2376 for current conditions.
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Montgomery Reservoir – Fishing is prohibited through May 31.
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Monument Reservoir – Early season fishing for holdover trout has been fair to good on the standard array of baits and lures. Fishing in 2006 should be good. Brown trout populations are very high and anglers can expect to see good numbers in their catch. Most will be 8-12 inches in length, but an occasional fish to 20 inches could be caught. Rainbow fishing will be excellent with increased stocking.
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Nee Gronda Reservoir – Some white bass and wipers are being caught from the bank on worms. Boat fishermen are having some success on slowly trolled crankbaits. Nee Gronda did not receive fresh water through its canal system last year, but still covers about 1,900 surface acres. The state boat ramp on the east shore is usable for launching shallow-draft boats. A private ramp at the Cottonwood Marina on the north shore may be available for a fee.
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Nee Noshe Reservoir – A few wipers are being caught, but fishing is still described as slow. Success should improve as spring progresses. No fresh water was added to Nee Noshe in 2005 and the lake receded to about 600 surface acres. Boat access became nearly impossible during the summer, so the DOW built a new gravel ramp on the south side of the lake. Extensions have been added as the lake has receded. Small- to medium-sized boats should be able to launch. Muddy conditions may exist, especially immediately after a rain storm. Although the lake is very low, it has good numbers of wipers, saugeyes, white bass and catfish.
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Nichols Reservoir – Fishing for catchable-sized rainbow trout has been very good. Anglers must park by the main gate to Rampart Reservoir and walk down to Nichols, but the fishing has been worth the trek. The water level is improved from last year, and fishing should remain good through the summer.
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North Lake – Early season fishing has been fair to good. Fly fishermen have been taking some trout on brown Pistol Petes and black Woolly Buggers. North Lake is retricted to fishing with artificial flies and lures. The lake will provide some excellent fishing for catchable rainbow trout and splake this year. Increased stocking will bolster the fishing for rainbows. The splake population continues to improve and plays a key role in fisheries management on the lake.
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Palmer Lake – The water level is very low. No stocking will be done until conditions improve.
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Prospect Lake – The lake in Colorado Springs has been refilled and stocked with catchable-sized trout. Fishing for them has been fair to good. Fishing for warm-water species is a year or two away.
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Pueblo Reservoir – Fish are stirring to life in the west end of the reservoir, but warm-water fishing still is erratic. A number of largemouth bass, some small walleyes and a few crappie have been checked at the North Marina in recent days, and fishing for catfish has improved, also. Minnows and live leeches have been the most productive baits. Very little success has been reported by fishermen near the dam, and wipers have not been active yet. Recently stocked trout have provided much of the action. The water level is slightly better than in 2005. Fishing should be very good in 2006, but the lake can get crowded. Anglers can expect better than average fishing for walleyes, wipers, bass, catfish and trout this season.
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Quail Lake – Fishing for catchable-sized rainbows has been fair to good. Fishing for warm-water species should pick up in the next few weeks.
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Queens Reservoirs – Upper Queens essentially dried up last summer and no fish remain. The lake will be restocked if it gets more water, not likely in the immediate future. Lower Queens is totally dry. ATVs and dirt bikes are not allowed in the Queens State Wildlife Area.
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Rampart Reservoir – The water level is much improved for 2006. Fishing for 10- to 13-inch rainbow tout is good, but slow for browns and mackinaw. Boat-ramp access is to be available May 13-Oct. 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. with the following restrictions: No rental vans; Class A, B or C motorhomes, or trailers over 22 feet will be allowed across the dam; and no stopping or fishing will be permitted within 500 feet of the dam. With little pressure the past few years, fishing for most species should be good to excellent. Early season is an especially good time to fish, with rainbows cruising along the shore and mackinaw in the shallows. Fishing for rainbows should remain good through the summer. The main recreation area will open in late May. In the meantime, fishermen can park near the gate and walk to the lake.
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Runyon Lake – This is one of several Pueblo-area lakes stocked 12 months a year. Fishing should be good, especially in the spring and early summer. The lake also has some catfish.
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San Isabel Lake – The lake southwest of Pueblo will receive heavy stocking of catchable-sized rainbow trout and fishing for them should be very good. The lake also has a fairly good population of brown trout that should be turning up in anglers’ catches and some splake that are in the 12- to 14-inch range.
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Skaguay Reservoir – Fishing for holdover trout has been fair. The lake also has a fairly good population of northern pike, which fishermen are encouraged to catch and keep.
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South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) – The river is open to catch-and-release fishing with artificial flies and lures. Fishermen report seeing significantly fewer fish in the river, indicating the trout spawning run is tapering off. Effective fies have been orange and yellow egg patterns, No. 18-20 Scuds, San Juan Worms, No. 20-22 Miracle Nymphs, No. 20-22 Black Beauties, and No. 18-22 Copper Johns.
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South Platte River, Deckers area – Flows have been between 125 and 225 cfs, and fly have reported an exceptionally high number of caddisflies around Deckers. Baetis mayflies also have been common. RS-2s and No. 16-18 dry flies have been effective when the hatches are on. In Cheesman Canyon, fishing has been fairly good, though success varies widely among fishermen. Midge and occasional blue-wing-olive mayfly hatches have been reasonably common. The best success has been fishing with bead-head Black Beauties, bead-head Flashback Pheasant Tails, RS-2s, San Juan worms, scuds, Red Midge Larvae and Cheesman Emergers.
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South Platte River, Elevenmile Canyon – Flows from Elevenmile Dam have been gradually rising the past week, and fishing has been excellent. Emerging midges and blue-wing-olive mayflies provide some dry-fly action, but most of the activity remains sub-surface on the typical small nymphs. Barr’s Emergers, BWO emergers, WD 40s, RS-2s bead-head Flashback Pheasant Tails and Johnny Flashes are likely patterns. Call the Peak Fly Shop at (719) 260-1415 for updates or log on to www.thepeakflyshop.com.
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Spinney Mountain Reservoir – Spinney is open ½ hour before sunrise to 1 hour after sunset, with no boating or fishing ½ hour after sunset. Only the north boat ramp is in operation. The water level is 4.2 vertical feet from capacity, offering the best level in recent years. Only artificial flies and lures are permitted, with a bag and possession limit of one trout 20 inches or greater. Although many fish are small, trout action is good to excellent using No, 14-18 Scuds, Hare’s Ears, No. 14-18 Callibaetis nymphs, brown moose-tail Hair Jigs, and various egg patterns. Trout action is best in deeper water, using spoons.
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Tarryall Reservoir – The lake is full, completely free of ice and the boat ramps are usable, though the access road to the west-side ramp is a little rough for boat trailers. Ice fishing was good through the winter, and the trend should continue after ice-out. Visitors must have a habitat stamp to use the state wildlife area.
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Trinidad Reservoir – Trinidad Lake has surface temperatures around 55 to 60 degrees. Trout fishing has remained good, with several limits of good-sized fish being taken. Largemouth and smallmouth bass are still slow but picking up both from shore and boats. Walleyes also are picking up from boats. A few perch reportedly have been caught, and a few catfish have been checked. No crappie or wipers have been turning up yet. Trout have been hitting Power Bait, worms and some lures. Both walleyes and bass are being taken on lures and with live bait. Catfish have been taken on chicken liver and shrimp. Refer to the DOW fishing regulations for special limits at Trinidad Lake. Use caution when boating as unmarked obstacles may exist.
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Turks Pond – The level is down a little from last year, but should come up some with the pumping of well water. The 55-acre lake has good populations of crappie, bluegills, wipers, saugeyes and catfish, and is stocked with catchable-sized trout in the spring. A kids fishing day was held on Saturday. Trout fishing should remain good for the recently stocked cutthroats and rainbows that were not caught by the kids. Anglers are catching them with worms, and getting an occassional bonus wiper or catfish. Crappie fishing is fair off the dam.
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Turquoise Lake – The ice is beginning to break up and some shoreline fishing is possible. The inlet area has some open water but access is difficult because of snowdrifts. The reservoir has an abundant population of lake trout. Most are less than 20 inches long, but offer an opportunity to catch an often hard-to-catch species. The reservoir has been stocked with fingerling trout since 1997. Most have grown large enough to be of interest to fishermen. The water level should be normal in 2006 and fishing should be good. The area has abundance of campgrounds and other amenities.
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Twin Lakes – The lakes are free of ice and boat ramps are accessible. The lake-trout fishery, once known for trophy fish but diminished in the 1990s, appears to be on its way back. Lake trout approaching 40 inches have become more common in recent years. Early season is an especially good time to fish for the mackinaw. The area around the hydro plant and the channel from the upper lake to the lower are among the better spots. Casting large Rapalas or tube jigs tipped with sucker meat seems to work best. The lakes also have other trout, and fishing can be good through the summer and fall. Water levels should be normal in 2006.
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Twin Lakes (Mt. Elbert) Forebay – The reservoir fluctuates significantly because of hydropower pumpback, but offers some of the best fishing for large lake trout in the area. It also has a good population of quickly growing rainbow trout that produce good fishing through the season. Fishing for lake trout can be quite good from the south shore in the spring. Try a rainbow Rapala or a tube jig tipped with sucker meat. Carry-on boats are permitted on the forebay, but with the water fluctuations, extreme caution is urged.
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Two Buttes Reservoir – This reservoir has essentially dried up. It will not be stocked until conditions improve.
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Wahatoya Reservoir – Little fishing activity has been noted and no reports are available.
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| Southwest Region |
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Animas River – The runoff has started and the river is running consistently high and off-color. Fishing is tough; those willing to try it should use large, flashy streamer patterns, Woolly Buggers or spinners. The river should be clear again by late May.
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Beaver Creek Reservoir – The lake is open. Fishing is slow to fair for rainbow trout using the typical baits.
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Big Meadows Reservoir – At last report the lake still had an unsafe ice cover.
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Blue Mesa Reservoir – The lake is completely ice-free, all boat ramps are usable and the Elk Creek Marina is open. The water level remains about 20 feet from the historic high-water mark, and should fill quickly with the upcoming runoff. Fishing for brown trout has been fairly good on marabou jigs tipped with mealworms, or Rapalas cast or trolled along the shorelines. Lake-trout fishing is picking up with the warming water temperature. Try trolling large Flatfish or Rapalas around the dam area or the Cebolla Basin.
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Conejos County (high country lakes) – The lakes remain ice-covered and generally inaccessible. Look for ice-out and access in May.
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Conejos County (small streams) – Virtually all remain iced-up and inaccesible because of snow. Most become accessible in May.
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Conejos River – The Conejos River is open and accessible from Mogote to Horca. Prerunnoff fishing has been fair to good for brown trout on a variety of nymphs. Fishing pressure is very light this time of year. The Conejos River is one of the best-kept fishing secrets in Colorado. The river boasts a flourishing brown trout population from Mogote to Platoro Reservoir. The best fishing areas are the Fly Water, Pinnacles and the flats below Platoro Reservoir. Expect excellent fishing for brown trout at the Fly Water, where brown trout biomass is 81 pounds/acre with 49 fish/acre greater than 14 inches. Brown trout biomass at the flats below Platoro Reservoir is 70 pounds/acre and 22 fish/acre greater than 14 inches.
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Dolores River (lower) – With little water flowing out of McPhee Reservoir, the water level is low and fishing is poor.
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Dolores River (upper) – The water is running high and murky with spring runoff. Look for it to clear by the end of May or early June.
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East River – Flows are around 900 cfs and rising, and visibility is 6-8 inches into the water. The recent weather pattern indicates the runoff is starting. The low visability is making fishing tough. Good hatches of caddis and midges are occurring around midday and the best fishing is in the afternoon, when the river clears up a little. Nymph rigs and streamers are producing. Best-bet nymphs are caddis pupae in olive, size 14-18; stoneflies, size 10-14; Pheasant Tails, Princes and Copper Johns, size 12-18. Woolly Buggers in brown, black and olive, stripped off the bank are doing well, also. Call Almont Anglers at (970)641-7404 or stop by for the latest report because conditions and the weather change daily.
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Echo Canyon Reservoir – Fishing for trout is good. Bass fishing should pick up as the water warms. Use Power Bait for fishing from shore; Rapalas for trolling. Echo Canyon also will be stocked with catchable 10-inch rainbows this week. Remember to register your boat for the year and check all safety gear.
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Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) – The flow at the East Portal is 714 cfs, well below its early season mean of 2,500 cfs. Clarity is being affected upstream by the Cimarron River flowing at 212 cfs, well above its mean of 101. Fishing still is good if you know the river. Egg patterns, scuds, BWOs, RS-2s, Adams, Parachute Adams, Pheasant Tails, Flashback Pheasant Tails and an assortment of different colored midges have been the go-to patterns. During the spawning season, tread lightly on the redds. For current conditions call the Cimarron Creek Flyshop at 970-249-0408.
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Gunnison River (through the canyon) – Fishing has improved during the past week but remains subpar because of discolored water. Anglers have done well on streamer flies, and San Juan worms were hot in the Smith Fork section. Red Copper Johns in size 14 also were hot, and action was good on caddis. Some dry-fly activity and emerging caddis also were reported there. No motorized craft are allowed above the North Fork tributary. Other restrictions include: Gold Medal Water, catch-and-release, flies-and-lures only. No rainbow trout may be kept. The Gunnison River Pleasure Park is offering ferry service to help anglers access the upper river. Call 970-872-2525 for current information.
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Gunnison River (Upper from Almont to Blue Mesa) – Flows around Almont are 1,400 cfs and higher, with turbitity coming in from the East River. The best visability is in the afternoon as the flows drop. The runoff appears to have started early this year and is making the fishing more difficult on the East and Gunnison rivers. The best bet in these conditions is a streamer rig in black, brown, olive or white. Work the banks and slower eddies, preferably from a boat because wading can be tricky with the poor visibility. Spin-fishermen should use heavier rigs and work the bottom. Call the Almont Anglers at (970) 641-7404 or stop by for the latest report because conditions and the weather change daily.
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Jackson Gulch Reservoir – The inlet is running and the lake level is rising quickly. It’s currently at about 65 percent of capacity. Fishing in the inlet channel is good to excellent for rainbow trout. It gets murky at times. When that happens, move out of the channel to the mudline. Try in-line spinners and typical baits (PowerBait, eggs, night crawlers) for the trout, and small jigs tipped with a piece of worm for yellow perch. The perch will be found in the coves and along the dam. The lake is open for boating at wakeless speeds and the park is open year-round with restrooms, yurts, and campsites available for overnighters. Call 970-533-7065 or check the link below for current conditions.
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La Jara Creek – No report.
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La Jara Reservoir – The reservoir remains ice-covered. The remaining ice is considered unsafe; please use caution. La Jara Reservoir’s water level is expected to be fair this year, with fluctuations due to drought conditions. The trout fishery continues to grow at La Jara Reservoir. The 2004 gill-net survey found several 12- to 15-inch brook trout. The reservoir is stocked with Rio Grande cutthroat trout, brook trout and splake. Expect fair to good fishing in 2006, depending upon the water level.
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Lemon Reservoir – Fishing for rainbows will be improving, especially near the inlet. The lake is still feeling the effects of ash runoff after the 2002 Missionary Ridge fire.
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Los Pinos River – The river above Vallecito Reservoir is now accessible, although insect hatches are not yet significant. Access to the river below the reservoir is very restricted because of private property.
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McPhee Reservoir – Action for trout is picking up as the fish look to the surface for food. Bass fishing is improving as the water continues to warm up. Fishermen are reminded of the 15-inch minimum size limt on bass at McPhee. Any smaller fish must be returned to the water alive. Fishing for kokanee salmon is best late June through August.
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Mountain Home Reservoir – The lake is open. The south boat ramp is accessible but the north ramp is out of the water. Fishing has been very good for rainbow trout to 20 inches on Power Bait and salmon eggs.
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Navajo Reservoir – The lake is nearly full, with the water temperature at 54 degrees. On the Colorado side of the reservoir, crappie have been biting pretty much everywhere on minnows and chartreuse jigs. The marina store is open 9 to 5 on the weekends with boating and fishing supplies. The store is out of minnows, but expects to have more on Tuesday. Pike and catfish are also beginning to bite. Bass, trout and some crappie are being caught on the New Mexico side.
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Piedra River – The water is running off-color with the warming weather, making fishing difficult. Conditions should improve by the end of May.
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Platoro Reservoir – The reservoir remains ice-covered and inaccessible except by snowmobile. The ice usually melts in May, and the access road is cleared of snow around Memorial Day. The water level is low this year and expected to fluctuate throughout the summer. Platoro Reservoir is stocked with 17,000 10-inch rainbow trout, 35,000 fingerling rainbow trout, 7,000, 4-inch splake and 20,000, 2-inch kokanee salmon. The lake has a fair resident brown trout population with some fish in the 10- to 12-pound range. Expect fair to good fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon and splake, especially in June and July.
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Ridgway Fishing Ponds – Worms, Woolly Buggers and bead-head nymphs all catch fish in these ponds. The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of Ridgway State Park is excellent for children because it has the only waters below the dam not restricted to artificial flies and lures or catch-and-release fishing. A limit of trout may be kept there.
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Ridgway Reservoir – Shore casters are catching fish around the boat ramp and in Dallas Creek using orange Power Bait and small, orange lures. Boaters continue to catch rainbow and brown trout using orange Power Bait, night crawlers, Kastmasters and Mepps spinners, though the action has slowed somewhat. Dallas Creek is muddy. The snow runoff has muddied the Uncompahgre River above the reservoir. The reservoir is almost full. The boat ramp is open for the season. The visitor center is open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for park passes, licenses, boat registrations and information.
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Rio Grande High Country Streams – High-country streams remain iced-up and generally inaccessible. They should be open by late May or early June.
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Rio Grande River – Flows are increasing and the water clarity is variable, depending upon weather and snowmelt. Fishing for brown trout can be good using stonefly nymphs when the water is clear or streamers such as Wooly Buggers when it is off-color.
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Road Canyon Reservoir – The lake is completely free of ice. Fishing has been fair to good for 10- to 16-inch rainbow trout using bait, spinners and streamer flies.
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San Juan high-country lakes, streams – The lakes are iced-in and trails are snow-covered. High country lakes usually do not open for fishing until mid-June at the earliest.
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San Juan River – The water is running high and discolored, making fishing difficult. Limited success has been reported using black Woolly Buggers and other streamers. Fishing will remain difficult until late May.
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Sanchez Reservoir – The reservoir is free of ice and the water level is low. Fishing for walleyes, northern pike and yellow perch has been slow, but it should improve as the water warms up a little.
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Taylor Reservoir – The lake is completely free of ice. Rainbo trout have been feeding near the shore. As of Friday, no reports from boating fishermen were available.
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Taylor River – Runoff has not affected this dam-release stretch, making the Taylor the best bet in the Gunnison Valley now. Flows in Almont are 315 cfs, clear, and holding steady. These levels are good for both float and wade fishing. Most of the insect activity is midges and caddis, with some blue-wing-olive mayflies starting to appear. Nymphing with Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, Princes, midges, stoneflies and attractors is the most productive, along with streamers in black, brown and olive. Call Almont Anglers at (970) 641-7404 or stop by for the latest reports.
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Trujillo Meadows Reservoir – The reservoir remains frozen and generally inaccessible. Ice-out usually occurs in early to mid-May, and the road is usually plowed by Memorial Day. This is the best trout-fishing lake in the Conejos River area. The lake water levels should be near capacity this summer. It offers good to excellent fishing for brown trout, 10-17 inches; brook trout, 7-13 inches; and rainbow trout, 10-16 inches from ice-out to July. The best brown-trout fishing is in the early morning and evenings using Rapalas, Kastmasters and streamer flies.
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Tucker Ponds – At last report the ponds were covered by ice.
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Uncompahgre River in Ridgway Park – Flows are picking up for the spring runoff. The Bureau of Reclamation will be flushing out the spillway this week, so the river will be running very high. Fishing will be slow because of this.
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Vallecito Reservoir – Anglers are reporting plenty of action for trout, northern pike and walleyes. Most types of bait are effective now, as fish are hungry and active. Both surface and sinking flies will work for fly casters. Use large Rapalas and large streamer patterns for pike. Water dogs for pike are not yet available. Look for pike in the shallows as they are moving up to spawn. Trout are biting consistently on worms, Power Bait and salmon eggs near the dam. Fly casters are using Woolly Buggers and other streamers.
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Williams Creek Reservoir – Anglers are reporting nice catches of 12- to 15-inch rainbows. Power Bait and worms have been working. The stream below the dam is clear. Woolly Buggers are the suggested fly.
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