The following information is provided by Colorado Parks & Wildlife employees and local fishing enthusiasts. Keep in mind that since fishing conditions change on a constant basis; much can change from the time this report is produced.
Conditions Report — Statewide
Rivers and Creeks
The runoff has begun and is increasing flows on the rivers and streams throughout the state. The extra flows will surely get the substrate stirred up which will flush some of the larger insects and worms into the flow and the trout will surely be feeding heavily. This means anglers must use a bit larger and flashier presentations when fishing these conditions.
With the rivers and streams flowing much faster through most sections it is important to find the seams of slack water along fast current. This is where the fish will be feeding as it takes less energy to stay in the slack current and the food will be flushed to them. With the fish being concentrated in the slower moving water during the run-off it is important to make sure those flies drift directly in their path.
Be sure not to use too much split shot though because the last thing you’ll want to do is to have to retrieve a snag in those cold waters. We are approaching some of the best dry fly hatches of the year and anglers should be excited for the prospect of surface feeding. Mayfly and caddis patterns should be consistent fish producers this time of year.
Conditions Report — Metro
Aurora Reservoir
Trout fishing from shore has been slow to fair with a few good reports using PowerBait off the dam and open areas along the south shoreline. The trout are running deeper now; focus on fishing deeper areas like the dam casting out 40 to 50 yards with PowerBait off a slip rig. Boaters also reporting slow to fair conditions on trout. Boaters have reported anywhere from slow to fair reports on walleye using jigs, bottom bounces and jerk baits.
Chatfield Reservoir
Walleye fishing has been good, swimbaits and crankbaits have been reported to be catching fish. Anglers are also reporting walleye being caught using bottom bouncers and live bait. Pitching jigs with artificial tails in shallow water has also been catching fish. Smallmouth bass have also been active along rocky shores in the lake with fish being caught on various presentations. Swim baits in the 3-4 inch range and scented plastics have been good producers for smallmouth bass. Please note that due to the Chatfield Reallocation construction fishing access from the west side of the park (Eagle Cove — Kingfisher) is closed. Please access the lake from the east side of the reservoir.
Cherry Creek
Fishing for trout has been productive both from shore or boat using many different techniques. Walleye are being caught trolling bottom bouncers with crawler harnesses and jigs have been working, too. The average size walleye is still around 16-17 inch range with some large specimen being taken occasionally.
Quincy Reservoir
Trout fishing from shore has been slow to fair with a few good reports using PowerBait off the dam and open areas along the south shoreline. The trout are running deeper now; focus on fishing deeper areas like the dam casting out 40-50 yards with PowerBait off a slip rig. Boaters also reporting slow to fair conditions on trout. Boaters have reported anywhere from slow to fair reports on walleye using jigs, bottom bounces and jerk baits.
Conditions Report — Northeast Colorado
Barr Lake
Walleye have been active throughout the lake. Bass have been biting in the early morning and evening hours, concentrated along the weed line. Trout season is winding down as the water temperatures warm up, so now is the time to head out. Please remember fishing is not allowed in the canals surrounding the lake.
Bear Creek Reservoir
Water levels are full. Trout fishing is good from shore using PowerBait floating off the bottom. Fishing for saugeye and smallmouth bass is good from shore and from boats. Try swimbaits along the dam face for both smallmouth and saugeye. Reminder, this is a city of Lakewood Park, a state parks pass is not valid at this park.
Boyd Lake
Fishing has been good for trout using traditional baits all over the lake. Anglers are starting to report success with crappie fishing using live bait below a bobber. Bass fishing is getting better, jerk baits for smallmouth and lipless crankbaits or spinnerbaits for largemouth. Walleye have been caught throughout the lake mainly on live bait close to the bottom. Reminder — No fishing from marina slips or docks.
Carter Lake
Fishing along the southwest end of the reservoir has been good for bass. Fishing for walleye has been tough, however. Trout fishing has been good throughout the lake on a variety of lures. There have also been reports of anglers having success casting to shore and landing largemouth bass.
Eleven Mile Reservoir
The trout fishing is fantastic with fish being caught in various areas of the lake. It seems most baits are working. Anglers are reporting many large fish being caught. Anglers are also reporting some success with Kokanee Salmon fishing deeper, pink has been a color mentioned as catching salmon lately. There have also been a few pike reported in the shallower sections of the reservoir; the majority of the pike caught are small.
Jackson Reservoir
Anglers have reported success catching wipers and walleye bouncing worms off the bottom. W
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Visibility has been reported around 7 to 10 feet. Anglers reported success catching trout in 8 to 16 feet of water using callabaetis nymphs in tan and green coloration.
