This cold snap will quickly cool waters and slow the fishing for many warm-water species, especially black bass. There has been news of smaller waters higher than 10,000 feet icing over, even a couple of reports of fishing on thin ice, less than 4 inches thick. With each passing week, high-country options for ice fishing will increase. Until then, consider fishing Horsetooth, Chatfield, Carter, Boyd and Aurora reservoirs, where the trout action has been fair to good on lures and bait. Plus, they are also producing an occasional walleye. Small ponds had been producing fair numbers of yellow perch and bluegill, but this cold snap will probably force them deep. For eager icers, remember it’s usually at least two weeks from first ice to safe ice. Be safe and don’t press your luck.
David Coulson,
