Information is provided by Colorado Parks & Wildlife employees and local fishing enthusiasts. Keep in mind that fishing conditions change on a constant basis. Much can change in a week from the time this fishing conditions report is produced.
Metro Denver Area
Chatfield Reservoir
The water temperature is 49 degrees and the reservoir is near full. The walleye bite has been going strong all across the lake. Larger walleye in the 24 inch range have been caught along the Massey Draw as well as the Swim Beach areas. Anglers have had success trolling worm harnesses. Anglers have also been catching rainbows in the 10 to 16 inch range using worms and PowerBait.
Northeast Colorado
Deckers
The water temperature is 52 degrees, with flows at 143 cubic feet per second. The BWO hatch has been strong over the last couple of days. Anglers have found success leading with either a stonefly or worm, followed by either a Juju Baetis Nos. 20-22, Black Beauty Nos. 20-24, or a Tube Midge Nos. 20-22.
Dream Stream
The water temperature is in the low 40 degree range, with flows around 97 cfs. Anglers have been catching a mixed bag of rainbows in the 14 to 18 inch range, cutbows, and browns. Crowds are heavy. There are opportunities to catch trout with dry patterns in the slower pools and tailouts. The best stretch is downstream from the bridge. Suggested patterns are Nos. 18-22 Mercury Pheasant Tails, Nos. 20-22 Barr’s Emergers, Nos. 20-22 JuJu Baetis, Nos. 20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, Nos. 20-22 Foam Wing Chocolate Emerger, and Nos. 20-26 Parachute Adams.
Cheesman Canyon
The current water temperature is 52 degrees, with flows at 118 cfs. As with most of the South Platte, the BWO hatch has been pretty strong over the past few days. Anglers should focus efforts on the riffle runs and higher in the feeding columns throughout the day. Prince Nymphs, Hare’s Ears, Baetis Emergers, and Red Midges have all worked well.
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Trout fishing has been slow to fair. Boaters have had success either trolling or casting and retrieving jointed Rapala’s. Gold, rainbow, and brown trout patterns have worked very well. Shore anglers have also found some difficulty. We still haven’t seen the large groups of spawning trout in the shallows yet. Northern Pike fishing is been slow to fair. The water temperature is still too low for the spawn.
Eleven Mile Canyon
The current water temperature is 49 degrees, with flows at 75 cfs coming out of the reservoir. The BWO hatch has been strongest from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. and the trout have been on a feeding frenzy. Black Pheasant Tails and Mercury RS2’s have worked well.
North Sterling Reservoir
The lake is 53 degrees and full. Walleye have been caught off the South Ramp parking lot and Balanced Rock. Crappie have come out in the Marina and Elks Bay as well as Balanced Rock. Catfish have been caught at the Inlet. Most anglers have had success in the afternoon into the early evening.
Spinney Reservoir
Fishing has been excellent. Anglers have been catching trout in the 20 to 24 inch range at both ramps using channel scuds, chironomids, and egg patterns. Lure anglers have had success fishing from shore using dynamic lures, kastmasters, and tube jigs.
Southeast Colorado
Arkansas River
Upper River: Flows have declined on the upper river and anglers can expect the brown trout fry emergence and pre-runoff fish conditioning until the melt begins in May. While the Salida area is probably the most productive stretch of the river currently, the upper basin is seeing some changes with the warming weather. Nymphing slow, consistent pools and runs mid-day in the upper basin can be productive, with fish moving into faster riffles to feed when nymphs are drifting, primarily in the afternoons. If you find one fish, you will likely find several grouped together, so be thorough in your approach, adjusting weight and depth to find them.
Middle River: Spring fishing is now underway up through Browns Canyon and the Milk Run. Daily nymphal drifts of BWO’s, as well as some good cloudy day hatches, have energized the fish population and allowed them to disperse from winter water. Also, anglers should look for morning caddis larval drifts. With the significant decrease in flows, crossing the river at Hecla is now relatively easy and the wading through the Big Bend area is also accessible. Cloudy weather later this week should produce some excellent afternoon hatches. We are starting to see BWO nymphs drifting daily, and even a few sporadic duns on the water in the afternoons. Be sure to stock up on BWO dry flies and emergers in the Nos. 16-20 range. Nymphing will most likely still be your best bet throughout the day, but don’t limit your strategy to deep water only; shallow riffles can be more productive in the afternoon once mayflies become more available.
Lower River: Flows are now within the prime range for spring, specifically for the brown trout population. Though the river is still floatable, it is now easily waded. The cloudy weather in the forecast should make for great fishing conditions. We are seeing consistent BWO nymphs drifting daily, and duns on the water on cloud afternoons. The recent warmth seems to be motivating fish to move into shallower water as they feed. There they can be best tempted by striated midge patterns, golden stonefly nymphs, mayfly nymphs and emergers, and “meat & potatoes” patterns like pheasant tails, hares ears, and princes. Focus fishing efforts on the period of peak warmth between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Trinidad Lake
The lake is now open for boating, and every boat must be inspected unless it is sealed with a Trinidad seal and receipt. Fishing from shore has been good, with anglers reported 16 to 20 inch trout being caught around the lake using worms and PowerBait. Boaters have just started, but worm harnesses and jigs have been working well.
Northwest Colorado
Blue River
The current water temperature is at 45 degrees, with flows at 98 cfs at Silverthorne. Mysis shrimp have continued to work well for anglers, especially when trailed by a red or black midge pattern.
Delaney Buttes / Lake John
As of April 1, Lake John and the Delaney’s are ice free. Lake John has been fishing well. Anglers have been getting hits on nearly every cast. East Delaney has also been producing good numbers, mostly in the 14 to 16 inch range. Anglers have had success with nymphs and minnow imitations. Be advised: Special regulations exist for fishing this property, so anglers should consult their 2017 Fishing Regulations brochure.
Fryingpan River
The current water temperature is 58 degrees, with flows at 148 cfs at the dam. Mysis shrimp have continued to work well for anglers, especially when trailed by a red or black midge pattern.
Roaring Fork
The water temperature is 52 degrees, with flows at 414 cfs near Emma. Anglers have found success using egg patterns, Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, and Golden Stoneflies.
Stagecoach Reservoir
The lake is ice free and the rainbow spawn is on. Anglers are having success at the Inlet/Lot 14/Lot 16 area, Keystone Cover, and Morrison Cove using PowerBait, nightcrawlers, spoons, jigs, and crankbaits.
Vega Reservoir
The lake is now free. The park plans to open the Island boat ramp on Sunday, April 16. The gravel pit is now open for shore fishing. Fishing has been good, and anglers have reported catching rainbows in the 18 to 22 inch range using PowerBait and worms.
Yampa
The water temperature is in the low 40 degree range, with flows at 42 cfs below the dam. Anglers have had success Nymphing with small midges and emergers. Jujus, Zebra Midges, Black Beauty’s, and Barr’s Emergers have all worked well.
Southwest Colorado
Animas
The current water temperature is at 49 degrees, with flows at 787 cfs near Durango. The flows are starting to fall, and the caddis hatch is coming in. Anglers have had success using BWO patterns in the Nos. 18-20 range, as well as stoneflies, and brown/black midges.
Blue Mesa Reservoir
The current water temperature is in the low 40 degree range. Trout fishing has been good to excellent. Anglers have had success using jerk baits, spoons, and jigs.
San Juan River
The current water temperature is 55 degrees, with flows at 668 cfs near Pagosa Springs. Anglers have had success using BWO patterns, worms, and black/red midge patterns.
Statewide
Rivers and Creeks
As we head into the spring season, anglers can expect to be fighting the crowds for a spot on the river. Rainbow, cutthroats and cutbow trout are all into their spawn, so be cautious of redds while wading on the rivers and creeks. Redds are easily distinguishable with their lighter color, ranging anywhere from 2 to 5 diameters in size. As the temperatures continue to rise, anglers can anticipate the BWO hatches to start coming in stronger. For patterns, try sticking to BWO’s, stoneflies, caddis, JuJu Beatis, RS2’s, Parachute Adams, and pheasant tails. Anglers should look for ideal times to be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
