The was released by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office on Tuesday.
Metro Denver Area
Aurora Reservoir
The reservoir is currently open to boating and the water temperature is at 55 degrees. Trout fishing from the shore is rated as slow to fair with a handful of good reports. Most trout are being caught using power bait from a slip rig. The west and east end of the dam have been productive areas for trout from shore. Boaters are reporting slow to fair success trolling for trout with lures and crawlers. Some reports of walleye being caught from shore using jerk baits and jigs. Wipers have been seen swimming the shoreline along the dam. A few reports have come in of perch being caught using jigs. The reservoir is restricted to electric motors only. All watercraft must be inspected prior to launch. For more information call 303-326-8425. Park Hours for May are 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Quincy Reservoir
The reservoir is open to boating and the water temperature is at 60 degrees. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Bass fishing has started to pick up and is rated as fair to good using drop shots with soft plastics, swim baits, and jigs. The bass should start spawning any day. Trout fishing is slow to fair using spoons, spinners, and flies. All watercraft must be inspected prior to launch. Other special use rules apply. For more information call 303-326-8424. Park hours for May are 5:30 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Northeast Colorado
Barr Lake
Current water temperature is at 55 degrees. Boats are not allowed in the wildlife refuge. No fishing is allowed in the wildlife refuge, on the Barr Lake dam, or in any canals. With recent swings in the weather, the lake has stayed murky, causing the fishing to be hit or miss. A steady string of warm weather days will hopefully clear things up and get the fish biting. Trout are still biting on worms and night crawlers by the ramp.
Boyd Lake
The current water temperature is estimated to be around 56 degrees with a depth of approximately 51 feet. White bass fishing has been excellent. Trout and walleye fishing is good with reports of minnows, wax worms, and meal worms catching fish.
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Eleven Mile Reservoir is open to boating. The trout are finally biting at Eleven Mile. Trolling has improved dramatically with most the action happening on the west end of the lake where the water has warmed to 50 degrees and up. Shore action has been good during random times of the day.
Fishing conditions for northern pike is fair to poor. The west end is where to be since the shallows is where the water will be warmer. Work the north shore from Stoll Mountain, all the way to Cross Creek. Stay on the shore in six to 10 feet of water. A few nice pike have been reported again this week, on Kastmasters and some tube jigs.
The dream stream is always a favorite of locals. Water temperature is in the mid 40’s with a little color in the water from recent precipitation and melt. Low flows require nymphs size 18 to 22 inches in deeper pools and on the bends. Most of the spawning fish have moved back to the reservoir, but the resident trout fishing is heating up. Good reports of some very nice brown and rainbow trout this last week. Egg patt erns, black midge, San Juan worms are all suggested.
Golden Gate Canyon
Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers five fishing ponds open year-round to all visitors. The ponds are Kriley, Slough, Ranch Ponds East and West, Forgotten Valley and Dude’s Fishing Hole. Each angler is allowed four fish per day with eight being the maximum number in possession. No live baits are allowed with the exception of worms.
Jackson Lake
The lake level is currently full. Surface water temperature is approximately 60 degrees. Fishing has picked up recently. Fishing had been fair to good for wipers, walleye, crappie, and trout.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Anglers are having success with wooly buggers, chironomids, leaches, egg patterns and blood worms. Hot spots are in the northeast corner of the dam and along the north shoreline from belly boats. Buffalo Cove is seeing some good success as well. Fishing in the evenings is the best.
Staunton
The Davis Ponds have been recently stocked and park staff have observed anglers having success catching trout in the 12 – 14 inch range.
Southeast Colorado
Arkansas Headwaters
Cool weather has kept the Arkansas River flowing in good condition, but that alone cannot negate the effect of the lengthening days and warmer weather. Historically, this week sets the beginning of major runoff, and it seems likely that this year will follow suit.
We are still floating and wading on the Arkansas River with the moderate flows. Fish are taking full advantage of the hatches that are still underway. Caddis are hatching strong in Browns Canyon, blue winged olive mayflies are hatching river wide, and crane flies are hatching strong in Bighorn Sheep Canyon.
Fish are feeding with an opportunistic state of mind, so large imitations such as stonefly nymphs and streamers are producing well. Anglers considering a trip to the Arkansas River this week should check with local outfitters as conditions are dynamic and cannot be accurately portrayed through a weekly report.
Blue Lake/Adobe Creek
Small saugeye are being caught consistently. Angler success is variable, but plenty of people are catching their limits. The occasional crappie and channel catfish are also being caught. Most of the fish are currently being caught from shoreline.
Clear Creek Reservoir
Boat and shore fishing conditions have improved drastically at Clear Creek Reservoir. The best lure for shore anglers has been Daredevil spoons with a red and white strip. Fishing gold Kastmaster lures from the shore can be effective as well. Fishing with sherbet Power Bait or yellow Berkley’s Floating Magnum Eggs deep near the lake bottom usually yields high catch numbers for shore anglers.
Fly anglers experienced the most success at the northwest part side of the reservoir. Woolly buggers remain the most productive pattern for landing trout consistently. Successful boat anglers caught several trout by trolling golden colored spoons along the northeastern side of the reservoir.
Drifting in a boat and casting Firetiger Rapalas near the shoreline was another productive technique for trout anglers. Kokanee salmon anglers reported that the school has been located close to the lake bottom. A squid tipped with white corn is one of the best methods to land a kokanee salmon. One fly angler caught a tiger muskie near the inlet of the reservoir on a streamer pattern. The reservoir is closed to trailer motorized watercrafts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The current boating hours are from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Lake Pueblo
Spring fishing conditions at Lake Pueblo have been hit and miss on the shore. The west end of the lake is now ice-free. Flows on the tailwater below the dam have increased, as winter water storage has ended. Water is being released to make room for runoff, which is just around the corner.
Fishing has been good on the tailwater for trout. Even with the increase in release, flows are still relatively low and the river is still manageable for wading. Anglers are reporting success on blue winged olive and midge patterns. Arrive early with this nice weather because the river section has been busy lately. Anticline Ponds and Valco Ponds are also a good place to try, as fishing for pan fish and trout have been productive. As always, please continue to follow the rules and regulations regarding method of take, size limits, and bait use while on the river.
North Gateway Park
Catchable size rainbow trout are biting on Power Bait and worms. Anglers are also having success on a variety of fly fishing patterns. The water in all three ponds is starting to warm up and the bass, crappie, and catfish are starting to bite more. The bass are preparing for their spawn and they are biting on almost any soft plastic that is casted into the shallows through their pre-spawning areas.
Trinidad Lake
The water temperature is averaging 50 degrees. Shoreline anglers are catching trout using various Power Bait and homemade dough baits. The catfish are biting on raw liver and night crawlers.
Boaters are having success catching walleye and trout. The walleye are being caught trolling in 20 to 30 feet of water using jigs. All largemouth and smallmouth bass must be 15 inches or larger to keep. Boaters should use caution as the high water continues to send debris floating around the lake.
Northwest Colorado
Colorado River
Warm weather is increasing the flows and decreasing the water clarity every day. The river is flowing at 2700 cfs near Kremmling and 5300 cfs near Dotsero. The river is rising 300 cfs – 400 cfs on average every 24 hours. The fishing is excellent with anglers having success with black and brown woolly buggers and lures.
These dark colored patterns show the most contrast in off-colored water, helping the fish notice your fly or lure. Weighted, non-bead head, black woolly buggers are getting the most strikes for fly anglers. Salmon fly nymphs are starting to crawl around on the river bottom, but they have not yet emerged into flying adults. Black and brown rubber-legged stonefly nymphs and red San Juan worms are currently the most effective patterns for nymphing. The caddis hatch is strong near State Bridge and is moving upstream. The trout are selectively feeding on caddis dry flies, but anglers are having more success nymph fishing and throwing streamers at the banks.
A lot of the fish will be holding only a couple feet off the river bank, while a majority will be by the banks. The water flows are high and fast, so use a heavy split-shot for both nymph and streamer fishing. There are plenty of submerged bushes, logs, and sticks under the water surface and you will eventually get snagged, so use a 2x or 3x leader to avoid losing those expensive flies and lures.
The fish are starting to spread throughout the river, so cover plenty of water and do not fish in one place for too long.
Lake John
Fishing is really starting to pick up, even with the continued poor weather conditions. The area roads are starting to dry out, making for easier access. Anglers are catching large trout in the four to five pound range on a variety of lures.
Fishing the appropriate depth is currently more important than choosing a specific lure.
Stagecoach Reservoir
Ice fishing has come to an end as all the ice is gone from the reservoir! Shore fishing has returned and is as good as ever. Most anglers have been trying their luck at Keystone Day Area, Lot 14, and Haybro Day Area.
The shore is extremely muddy and slick so be careful of your footing. Most anglers are catching average size rainbows (16 – 18″) and a few pike have been reeled in as well. Anglers have been successful using streamers on sink tips areoung Statgecoach. 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.
On warm clear days anglers should make six and seven X fluorocarbon tippets a must. Try using small indicators and micro split shots to not spook the fish. When using nymphs try the Top secret midge, HB scud ornge, Medallion midge, Loop wing emerger. When using dries try give Vis-A-Dun, Comparadun, Blue Ribbon Foam Baetis and Pablos Cripple a shot.
Sylvan Lake
Ice off occurred May 7. Fishing is good with the best results for rainbow trout on woolly buggers or rooster tails. Also try various colored Power Bait off the bottom.
Vega Reservoir
Early Settlers and the Island boat ramps are open. Anglers are catching some nice sized rainbow trout in the 16 – 18 inch range using Power Bait, spinners, worms and salmon eggs.
Southwest Colorado
Animas River
The river is currently fishing very well, but expect things to slow down once the flows increase. Streamers are the most effective patterns, especially in the morning. Try some stonefly nymphs in deep holes during the afternoon and evening.
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Water temperature is around 50 degrees and is slowly starting to rise. The brown trout population is above average this year and they are consistently being caught by anglers fishing off the shore using a variety of lures. The rainbow trout are moving near the inlets to prepare for the spawn.
Use lures representing the colors of crawdads, small rainbow trout, and perch for the best results. Kokanee salmon are fishing well if you can find them. Anglers have reported catching kokanee from the water surface down to 80 feet, varying by the day and weather conditions.
Lake trout are also fishing well and most are being caught on a dead sucker. It is still a little early for the perch to starting biting, but anglers are having some limited success.
Crawford
We have had anglers catching pike up to 36 inches. There have also been reports of trout, catfish, perch, and crappie being caught. Bow fisherman have been able to take a few carp recently.
Largemouth bass regulations have changed with the bag and possession limit and minimum size is one fish 18 inches long.
Ridgway Reservoir
Water temperature is at 55 degrees at the swim beach. The fishing has been good. We have seen brown trout up to 11 pounds and rainbow trout up to 22 inches.
For brown trout, try using a rainbow Rapala, and for rainbow trout try a Kastmaster in red or yellow. Water temperature is 46 degrees and rising at tail water. The fishing is good for rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. Try using a prince nymph or a wooly bugger. Water temperature is at 44 degrees and rising, and off-color at the inlet. Some brown trout and kokanee are being caught at the color line, which has moved further into the reservoir.
The reservoir is at 77.9% capacity and falling. The inflow from the Uncompahgre River is 373 cfs, and the outflow below the dam at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is 401 cfs.
San Juan River
Flows are rising and currently at 1000 cfs. The fish are actively feeding on big streamers in dark colors. Nymph fishing has been productive using stonefly nymphs and San Juan worms. Prepare for the stoneflies to emerge into adults soon. The caddis should also start hatching any day now.
Information is provided by CPW employees and local fishing enthusiasts. Keep in mind that fishing conditions change on a con stant basis. A lot can change in a week from the time this fishing conditions report is produced.
