Following is the latest statewide fishing report from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office, posted Tuesday. Information is provided by CPW employees and local fishing enthusiasts.
Metro Denver
Cherry Creek Reservoir
As the summer fishing season wraps up and the water begins to cool down, the trout are biting along the dam, particularly in the Tower Loop area. Anglers have been successful catching catfish from the shoreline on the south end of the reservoir. Boat fishermen have reported that the walleye fishing has picked up in the deeper waters in the center of the reservoir. Bluegills are biting in all areas of the reservoir, and seem to have an appetite for night crawlers.
Northeast Colorado
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Water levels and flow rates are near seasonal norms on the river above Spinney Mountain Reservoir and between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile Reservoirs. The trout fishing has been good on the troll and good from shore with bait. Jigging has slowed a bit but nice ones still are hitting the tubes.
Tasmanian devils and kastmasters have done really well for catching numbers of fish. Bite times vary but mid morning has been good. The kokanee salmon fishing is still slow. A few have been being caught but it still takes a lot of work. The northern pike fishing is fair, but fishing has been good when using spinner baits.
Anglers fishing the dream stream can expect to see hatches of midges, caddis, and tricos. During the non-hatch periods, effective nymphs have been #14 San Juan worms, #10 leeches, #14 scuds, #18 mercury pheasant tails, #18-20 buckskins, #16-18 mercer’s swing nymph, #18 graphic caddis, and #20 barr emergers (PMD).
The best fishing is between 7 a.m. and 1 p.m., but then fishing tapers off dramatically.
North Sterling Reservoir
The water temperature is 70 degrees. Catfish have been caught off the West Trailhead and Balance rock. Walleye and Wiper are slow with few caught up the Darby and Cunningham arms. Bluegill have been caught off Balance rock. Large crappie have been caught off the dam at a depth of around 10 feet using yellow lures.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
The trout fishing is good to very good. Trollers are bringing in the most results, but shore anglers results have been improving. Try callibaetis nymphs, size #12-14, damsel nymphs, size No. 10-14, streamers, size #4-10, and there is some reports of spinners working well. The pike fishing is good and there is lots of pike action going on right now – rapalas, zonkers, daredevils, and tasmanian devils are keeping them on the line. The river above Spinney is fishing good and flow rates have returned close to seasonal averages. The bridge at the Spinney Wier has been closed for safety reasons.
Southeast Colorado
Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake)
Fishing is slow for all species. There are reports of a few carp, drum, and catfish being caught. The boat ramps are usable.
Arkansas River
Flows have been stable to slightly increasing, though the water remains crystal clear and low. The fishing has really turned around in the last 10 days. The low, clear water and later season trout mean stealth and presentation matter more, but for those who make the effort, the fishing has been very good. While always true, it is perhaps never more so than now, that extra effort results in bigger and more fish.
With another beautiful week ahead, a very approachable river, and light weekday pressure, this is the time for another trip to the Arkansas.
Clear Creek Reservoir
Trout fishing at Clear Creek Reservoir has been good. A majority of anglers have been landing several trout with a very few anglers not catching anything at all. The best time to fish for trout has been between 7 a.m. and noon.
Successful fly fishermen caught trout on dry flies with pink coloration in it. Green wooly buggers usually are a productive fly for fly fishermen too. At the boat ramp parking lot area and southeast corner of the reservoir, shore anglers caught several trout on powerbait. Trout also went for worms off the lake’s bottom at the boat ramp parking lot area.
Trolling between 1.5 mph to 2.0 mph with cowbell and worm baits has been the best way to land trout. Boat anglers using lures enjoyed tremendous success with orange daredevil spoons.
Kokanee salmon fishing conditions has been very slow. Boat anglers targeting kokanee salmon can employ squids and dodgers tipped with white corn near the dam of the reservoir for best outcomes. The reservoir is closed to trailer motorized watercrafts Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The current boating hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 will be the last day for trailer motorized watercrafts to access the reservoir.
Henry Reservoir
Due to the lake going dry two years ago, the fish population is in a rebuilding stage. Catchable-sized fish are expected to be available next year. The boat ramp is usable.
Horse Creek Reservoir (Timber Lake)
The lake has been dry until this year. There are no catchable fish in the reservoir. Access is currently only available at the boat ramp and on the lake’s surface.
John Martin Reservoir
Fishing is fairly slow on the reservoir and the river. Anglers on the shore are having some luck using shad, worms and some soft baits catching a few white bass and drum, but not in great numbers. White bass and drum are mostly what is being caught, but not in large sizes. Very few crappie and catfish are being caught at the reservoir. Fishing has been slow in the Stilling Basin and Arkansas River as well.
Lathrop State Park
Fishing continues to pick up, especially at Horseshoe with trout, bluegill, and bass being pulled in. Martin lures have provided a steady catch of trout, with a few northern pike being pulled in. The cooler weather should help the fishing continue to pick up.
Meredith Lake
Due to the lake going dry two years ago, the fish population is in a rebuilding stage. Catchable sized fish are expected to be available next year. The boat ramp is usable.
Midwestern Farms Pond
Fishing has been slow during the heat of the day. Anglers are catching some catfish early in the day and toward dusk.
Nee Gronda Reservoir
The reservoir is at extremely low water levels, with no surviving fish expected at this time due to poor water condition.
Nee Noshee Reservoir
Increased water levels allow for boat launch from the south ramp. Preliminary stocking has continued and will have a lot more in the spring dependant on water levels. It will take a year or more for these fish to grow to a catchable size. Water use restrictions depend on waterfowl use of the lake. Restrictions will be posted.
North Gateway Park
Fishing continues to be slow overall, but those having the most luck are fishing the pond in the early morning right at dusk. Fishing is expected to pick up as high temperatures decrease and fall approaches. Mostly sunfish, some small catfish, and small bass are being caught.
Queens Reservoirs
Increased water levels allow for boat launching from the south and west ramps. Preliminary stocking has begun with fingerling and fry sized fish. Stocking will continue throughout the fall and spring with warm water species. It will take a year or more for these fish to grow to a catchable size. Boaters are urged to use caution as there is floating debris and unmarked obstacles. Water use restrictions depend upon waterfowl use of the lake. Restrictions will be posted.
Trinidad Lake
The lake is at 772 surface acres with a surface elevation of 6,188 feet. Water temperature is in the lower to mid 60s. Trout fishing from shore has been good this week, from the south shore. Trout are biting on various colors of powerbait and night crawlers. Boaters are still catching walleye, perch, and trout by bottom bouncing bait and trolling. Boaters are reminded that hazards on the lake may not be marked.
Turks Pond
A few channel catfish have been caught this week up to three pounds. These fish are generally caught while fishing at night. Crappie and bluegill are caught occasionally, but most anglers are targeting catfish. Bullheads will provide non stop action when fishing with a worm off of the bottom. Anglers are encouraged to keep every bullhead they catch to help manage the fishery.
Two Buttes Reservoir
Two Buttes continues to fish well for bass in the three to four pound class. Anglers should concentrate on areas adjacent to weed beds and submerged trees. Anglers should target bass later in the day and into the evening. Top water fishing has been good this past week and will keep your lure out of the weeds. Crappie and bluegill fishing continues to be excellent pretty much anywhere around the lake that has some structure. A small jig or worm bait suspended beneath a bobber will produce limits of fish. Catfish are turning on as well. Anglers should try shrimp or night crawlers also to keep their bait out of the weeds.
Northwest Colorado
Grand Lake
The shore fishing is picking up and anglers are having the most success when using salmon eggs and worms on the bottom. The best times to go out are when the water temperatures are cooler in the early mornings or late evenings.
Stagecoach Reservoir
Fishing from shore has steadily increased due to cooler weather and water temperatures dropping. Anglers are still catching a fair amount of fish. Many anglers at the headwaters have been catching rainbow trout using black and olive wooly buggers, black zonkers, and sparkly powerbait. A gentleman caught a 24-inch, seven-pound rainbow trout a few days ago.
The area near the dam has been fishing well using streamer baits. Try fishing deeper waters using sink tips. Northern pike are biting although most are fairly small, the average seems to be about 20 inches. Most anglers have been using barry’s pike fly red and white, cisco kid toppers, heddon rattlin’ spooks, and booyah pikee.
Fly fishing at the tail waters has been steady with anglers catching lots of trout. The new renovation project has increased fish reproduction and size tremendously. The waters below the dam are at perfect conditions and the fish are always hungry.
Fishing in the morning, afternoon, and on overcast days are the prime times to catch fish. Flows: approximately 80 cubic feet per second. On clear days anglers must make 6 and 7 X fluorocarbon tippets a must. Try using small indicators and micro split shots to not spook the fish. When using nymphs try: RS2 in any color, bead wing midge, red D-midge, sow bug, pheasant tail nymph, the barr’s emerger, and parachute adams. When using dries try: Size 22-24, red quill, hi-viz griffiths gnat, parachute midge, spider midge, BWO, and last chance cripple PMD.
Sylvan Lake
Anglers are catching 12-14 inch rainbow trout. A few cutthroat and brook trout too. Powerbaits and worms, small kastmasters and gold/silver spinners rooster tails have been catching the most fish. Try green/black wooly buggers especially in mornings and evenings when the fish have been rising. The Inlet Creek is closed Sept. 1 to Nov. 30.
Southwest Colorado
Crawford Reservoir
Anglers are having success catching all species, those species include trout, catfish, perch, bass, pike and crappie.
Navajo Reservoir
Fishing has slowed some, but will likely pick up as the fall season is in full swing. Colorado and New Mexico fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Center. Social security numbers are required for purchase. Please remember to bring sunscreen, insect repellent and clothes appropriate for changes in the weather.
Pa-Co-Chu-Puk Ponds
Fishing in the Uncompahgre River at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is excellent. The river flows are currently at 208 cubic feet per second below the dam, and 86 cubic feet per second coming into the reservoir. Fly fisherman are doing well on bead-headed nymphs, wooly buggers, copper johns, pheasant tails, and small midges. Spin fisherman are doing well with gold mepps and yellow/black panther martins.
Please remember that the Uncompahgre River in Pa-Cu-Chu-Puk is restricted to flies and lures only, and all fish caught must be returned to the river immediately. The ponds at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk have a population of rainbows and some brown trout. Fishing in the ponds has been good. There have been several larger fish (18-20 inches) caught. Fishermen have been doing well with worms and salmon eggs in the mornings and evenings, and using various colors of powerbait off the bottom in the afternoon.
Ridgway Reservoir
The reservoir is at 84 percent capacity and falling rapidly. The most recent stocking of the reservoir, with 13,000 catchable rainbow trout, occurred on Sept. 11. Both shore fisherman and boaters are reporting good fishing for stocker-sized rainbows (8-14 inches) with a few larger fish (18-20 inches) being caught. The catch is mostly rainbows, but there have been some bigger browns and smallmouth bass.
Shore fishermen are doing well along the Dallas Creek day use area and Mears Bay shorelines. Shore fisherman should try gold kastmasters, green and rainbow powerbait, or worms off the bottom. Boat fishermen are having luck with gold pop-gear and black/silver sinking rapalas near the dam and around the opening to Mears Bay. Bag and size limits have been removed for smallmouth bass at Ridgway Reservoir. Fishermen are encouraged to take smallmouth from the reservoir to protect our rainbow and brown trout fisheries.
