Colorado Parks and Wildlife is considering ending the weekly fishing conditions report. For details, see the discussion here and send us your comments or thoughts at fish.reporter@state.co.us.
Keep in mind that fishing conditions change on a constant basis. A lot can change in a week from the time this fishing conditions report is produced. If the water you are interested in knowing more about is not listed here or if you're looking for the most current information, we encourage anglers to explore some of the numerous private websites that offer fishing condition reports. Examples include: www.fishexplorer.com, www.coloradofisherman.com, www.fishhound.com and www.sportfishcolorado.com. Many other fly shops and marinas also offer fishing condition reports on their websites as well.
Metro Denver Area
Aurora Reservoir (City of Aurora)
Aurora- water temp is 60 degrees. Trout action from shore has slowed some due to insect hatches. Varied reports - ranging slow to fair using PowerBait from the dam. Boat action for trout is fair to good trolling with crawlers and spoons. Walleye fishing is fair using jigs, bottom bouncers and drop shots. Some reports of smallmouth bass being caught off the points. Slow or no reports on other species at this time. Restricted to electric motors only. Park hours for May are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. For more information call 303-690-1286.
Arvada Reservoir (City of Arvada)
Fishing remains fairly strong. Recent stockings, cooler weather and water temperature have created some good catches. Many are coming out with their limit of four. Most catches are in the 10 - 12 inch range with some better sizes up to 20 inches. Colored power bait still appears to be the bait of choice. Again, don't forget to get the kids registered for the fishing contest to be held on June 9. There are multiple age divisions with winners in each division. The tournament will start at 6 a.m. that day. No boats will be allowed and the reservoir will be closed to the public for fishing on June 9 until 1:30 p.m.
Barr Lake State Park (Adams County)
No current report.
Chatfield State Park (South of Littleton, Douglas and Jefferson County)
Rainbows are good from all areas of the lake with PowerBait. Large sizes are being caught along the dam. Walleye are being caught from boats off bottom-bouncers at approximately 15foot depth. Bass are starting to pick up.
Cherry Creek State Park (South of I-225 and east of I-25, Arapahoe County)
Come on in, the Fishin’s fine. Cherry Creek anglers have reported catching walleye, trout, crappie, carp, shad, perch and wiper. Worms, leaches with bottom bouncers and green and orange PowerBait are being used. Successful areas include the pier at the Marina and Tower, Lake and Mountain Loops. Please remember to stay at least 60 feet away from in front of the tower structure. As of May 1, both east and west boat ramps are open daily from 6 am to 10 pm. No launching is permitted outside those hours without previous inspection.
Quincy Reservoir (City of Aurora)
Water temp 65 degrees. Trout action is fair to good using flies. Hare’s ear and zebra midge patterns working well in early morning and evening. Bass action picking up using soft plastics and jigs. Slow or no reports for all other species. Restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Hand launched watercraft only. Other special use rules and regulations if effect. For more information call 303-693-5463. Park hours for May are from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Standley Lake (City of Westminster, Jefferson County)
Standley Lake is now open to boating and camping for the season. You must obtain a Sail/Fish boating permit ($200.00) to have access to the lake or purchase a Single-day use fishing permit ($15.00). These are available for boats with 20 horsepower or under engines only and must meet current quarantine times to access to the lake. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) regulations are in effect. The current lake temperature is approximately 54 degrees. Fishing times are 7:00 a.m. to sunset and will be strictly enforced. Aquatic bait is not allowed at Standley Lake; this includes salamanders, leeches, crayfish, frogs and minnows. Call for more details. A $7 fee is charged for all drive-in traffic. Drive-in access is available from 7:00 a.m. to sunset. For more information, contact the Standley Lake Nature Center at (303) 425-1097.
Northeast
Antero Reservoir (Park County)
Trout fishing still reported to be good in the early morning and in the evening. Things are slower mid-day.
Boyd Lake State Park (North of Loveland, Larimer County)
Fishing has slowed to "poor" for largemouth and smallmouth bass but white bass still seem to be hitting on Crawler Rigs and jigs near the pump house. No reports on bluegill, carp or catfish at this point. Crappie anglers reporting success with minnows and jigs near the pump house and the south end of the lake. Trout fishing is fair on bait on the marina inlet. The current water temperature is estimated to be hovering around the low 60's, with a depth of 51.53 feet. PLEASE NOTE: Any Live fish collected for use as bait may only be used in the same body of water from which they were collected. All live baitfish from a commercial source and transported by anglers must at all times be accompanied by a receipt for the source. See the 2012 Colorado Fishing Regulation for further clarification and information.
Carter Lake (Larimer County)
Fishing in Carter Lake has begun to improve as the weather and the water have warmed up. Fishing for trout has been productive with several people catching trout larger than 20 inches. The walleye fishing has remained slow for the beginning of the season. According to the folks at Larimer County anglers are also reporting success at nearby Flatiron Reservoir and Pinewood Reservoir.
Eleven Mile State Park (Park County)
TROUT: GOOD TO VERY GOOD - Get up early for the best fishing or wait until the mid-morning bite which is also good. Rainbows, Cutthroats and Cuttbows are running 13-16". Occasional Browns are showing up in the 17-24" range. Last weekend had lots of action with Tasmanian Devils, Needlefish and Krocodiles leading the way. Water temperature is approaching optimum bite zone. Shore anglers are also doing well - mostly on the west end. Typical baits for the shoreline are working including nightcrawlers, salmon eggs, & spawn sacs with chartreuse or white Power Bait leading the pack for now. SALMON: SLOW - Just a few showing up here and there. NORTHERN PIKE: FAIR - Not to bad in the mid morning hours. Howbert to Witchers Cove and Stoll Mtn to points west. Husky Jerks and jointed Rapala doing well. Bite goes in spurts. Gotta work it. All trailered vessels are required to go through a MANDATORY Inspection prior to launching a boat on or removing it from the reservoir.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park Ponds (Jefferson County)
Slough and Kriley Ponds were stocked with Trout on May 2. The remaining ponds were stocked in October. Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers five fishing ponds open year round to all park visitors. The ponds are Kriley, Slough, Ranch Ponds East and West, and Dudes Fishing Hole. Each angler is allowed four fish per day with eight being the maximum number in position. Anglers have the best success in the early morning and the hour before dark. No live baits are allowed with the exception of worms. Please call the Visitor Center for directions at 303-582-3707.
Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park (Larimer County)
The six northern most coves of Horsetooth Reservoir are accessible from Lory State Park for fishing. Anglers can target walleye, smallmouth bass, perch, and trout.
Jackson Lake State Park (Morgan County)
The reservoir is full. Water temperature is approximately 68 degrees. Shorefishing has been good from the dam, north shore, boat ramp and west shore for wiper and walleye using mussels, nightcrawlers, rapalas, jigs, and minnows. Boat fishing has been good for wiper and walleye using lindy rigs, bottom bouncers, and trolling crankbaits.
Jumbo Reservoir (Logan and Sedgwick Counties)
Water levels are beginning to drop and the temperature is in the mid 60’s. Small mouth bass, walleye and trout fishing is pretty good. A few crappie are being caught as well. An annual fishing license OR a state wildlife area permit is required for ages 19-64 to enter Jumbo. All boats must be inspected.
North Sterling State Park (Logan County)
The reservoir is nearly full, with the inlet shut off and the outlet flowing. Fishing is starting to pick up, with many trout being caught - including a park-record 24-inch cutbow along the dam using shad raps. Also saw several excellent wiper measured as high as 26 inches in the 7 to 8 pound range.
Prewitt Reservoir (Washington County)
Fishing is pretty good—walleye and saugeye is good off the dam. Water temperatures is in the mid 60’s. The boat dock is in and all boats must be inspected. An annual fishing license OR a state wildlife area permit is required for ages 19-64 to enter Prewitt.
Spinney Mountain State Park (Park County)
Both ramps are available for use. Fishing Fair ~ Fish are leaving the shallows & heading for deeper water. Weed growth is less than normal. Belly boaters & pontooners are doing better than shore fisherman and trollers. Fish are still spawning, but it is toward the end of the spawning cycle. Expect egg patterns, chironomids, & small emergers to continue working. Inlets & dam areas are still fishing well. Lures, tube jigs, Kastmasters, Rapalas are all doing well. South Platte River (Dreamstream) below Spinney: Between Spinney & "bridge": Good Fishing- small black hares ears, small green drakes, small tan goldribbed hares ears are working well. Between "bridge" & 11Mile: Good Fishing- medium size black beauty, brassie's, san juan worms, and small wooley buggers are working well. South Platte above Spinney: 42 cfs on 5/03. No report, but the action should be good with a calmer flow than below the reservoir.
St. Vrain State Park ponds (Weld County)
Plenty of trout in Sandpiper, Mallard and Coot ponds. They've all been stocked recently. Recommend trying PowerBait and worms on the bottom or bubble flies in the evening around dusk. Fishing for warm water species is picking up as water temps continue to rise. Please note that Bald Eagle Pond is restricted to fly and lure only and all bass must be returned to the water immediately.
Southeast
Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)
Good for crappie, fair for catfish. Boaters should avoid high water ramps and begin using low water ramps.
Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)
Don't forget the 21st annual Arkansas River Cleanup this Saturday, May 19 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sign up runs from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Community Center parking lot on east Main Street in Buena Vista. Need info, check with the Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area at 719-539-7289.
Here's what ArkAnglers is saying about fishing the Arkansas: "The Arkansas River is in rare form for mid-May, with Mother’s Day flows of 218 cfs in Granite and 469 cfs in Bighorn Sheep Canyon. Visibility is very good and water temperatures are pushing well into the 50s every day. With a week of 70 degree weather ahead, we expect active fish and bugs but little change in flow rate. Current insect activity includes brachycentrus caddis in Browns Canyon and up to Buena Vista, continued daily midge and blue wing olive mayfly hatches riverwide, and some early golden stoneflies emerging in Bighorn Sheep Canyon. With runoff projected to be mild at best, the weeks ahead offer excellent opportunity for the angler who enjoys solitude, wadable flows, and opportunistic trout foraging on a variety of insects."
Brush Hollow Reservoir (Fremont County)
Boat ramp is up and running. Anglers are doing well fishing at night for catfish and walleye. Crappie fishing is picking up in deeper water. Bass fishing is slow. Trout fishing is slow but a few small rainbows are being caught on salmon eggs.
Clear Creek Reservoir (Chaffee County)
Fishing is slow, but steady. Some fishermen are catching rainbows around the boat ramp and east of the ramp on bait. Very few fly or lure fishermen at this time. Access is good. Water is fairly high. Campground is open.
De Weese Reservoir (Custer County)
De Weese was stocked this past week with 2,800 catchable trout. Fishing for trout has been great, with most fish measuring 14” in length and some in the 16" to 18” range. Anglers have been very successful using power bait. Bass fishing has not been as productive but should pick up soon.
Henry Lake (Crowley County)
Improving for crappie, fair for catfish.
John Martin Reservoir State Park (Bent County)
The reservoir is having a really great season for white bass. They are being caught in both numbers, and really good size. They are biting on everything from crankbaits, to Mr. Twisters, to Lindy rigs, to minnows. The crappie bite is also heating up really well, and producing some good numbers along the north shoreline. They are mostly being caught on minnows. The stilling basin is producing several smaller catfish throughout the day, and a few large catfish late at night using chicken liver, and shrimp. Lake Hasty is still producing the trout that were stocked earlier this summer using power bait.
Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County)
Another cold and rainy weekend has changed conditions again at Lake Pueblo. On the reservoir, try trolling for trout using cowbells. There has been some reported success using this method. Shore fishermen have been catching walleye along the south shore using tube jigs and jig heads with live bait. This week saw a drop off in warm water species, but some smallmouths were reported. The water level in the Arkansas River below the dam appeared to rise slightly this week. Shore fishermen along the banks have continued to catch trout.
Martin Lake, Lathrop State Park (Huerfano County)
Fishing has been good over the past week on both lakes. Multiple trout have been caught in the 16-18 range. Trout are being caught on powerbait and nightcrawlers. A few walleye have been caught this week.
Meredith Reservoir (Crowley County)
Good fishing for wipers and fair for crappie.
Mt. Elbert Forebay (Lake County)
The Forebay was stocked this past week with 2,000 catchable trout. Meanwhile, lots of carryover fish from last year’s stoking have fattened and are being caught on all kinds of bait and lures.
Turquoise Reservoir (Lake County)
Turquoise was stocked this past week with 2,000 catchable size trout (10"). The road is open to traffic, but campgrounds, boat ramp, and other amenities have some snow in shady areas. Turquoise is scheduled to open to boating on May 25.
Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)
Trinidad Lake is approx. 723 surface acres and the surface temp is about 52 degrees. Even though weather moved in again this past week, fishing remains great. Still only seeing large rainbow trout from shore and the boaters are still getting the walleye! ANS boat inspections are taking place so be sure your boat is “CLEANED, DRAINED, and DRIED”. Boaters beware of floating debris and unmarked hazards as the water level continues to rise. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for bass and walleye and to always wear your PFD!! All camping and bath-house facilities are now open for the season. For more information call the Visitor’s Center at 719-846-6951.
Twin Lakes Reservoirs (Lake County)
Colorado Fly Fishing Guides says reports of bigger lake trout being landed are still coming in. Bigger baits and lures should be utilized for the mackinaw. Try PowerBait, nightcrawler, or kastmasters for rainbows and cutthroats at the power plant and near the dam or boat ramp. Also, for the fly fisherman, it's not a bad idea to strip streamers as these can be quite productive this time of year. Boat ramp is scheduled to open May 18.
Northwest
Delaney Buttes, Cowdrey and Lake John (Jackson County)
A fresh report from the folks at Lake John Resort this week: "Not much to report. Things are pretty much the same as last week, at least from a fishing standpoint, with good action no matter the method of angling you choose. The occasional big fish continues to be hooked, but not always landed, while previously stocked catchables and sub-catchables grow constantly in length, girth, and attitude. Most of you have heard me talk and write of School Teacher Mike, who had a friend from way down south with him this past week. They kept some eaters from John and said the fish were feeding on midges and shrimp, which they encountered while cleaning. Another quick note is that there is currently a fire ban in Jackson County on open burning. Fires are allowed in the state wildlife areas such as Lake John, as long as you keep them in the steel rings provided, however not all SWA’s are equipped with fire rings. Handmade rock rings are not an acceptable alternative and making a fire in one is a ticketable offense! If you do have a fire, do not leave the fire unattended, keep it small, and watch the wind. Be absolutely certain it is completely extinguished before turning in for the night or when departing your campsite.
Elkhead Reservoir State Park (Moffat County)
Muddy conditions continue to limit the fishing activity.
Harvey Gap State Park (Garfield County)
PLEASE NOTE: Large and Small Mouth Bass must be returned to the water from May 1 - June 15th, due to spawning. 3,600 rainbow trout have just been stocked in Harvey Gap Reservoir. They are reported to be at least 10 inches in length. They were stocked 4/19/12.
Highline Lake State Park and Mack Mesa Reservoir (Mesa County)
Trout are still biting at both Mack Mesa and Highline Lakes - some nice sized trout have been taken from both lakes recently, along with the stockers. Bass and crappie are finally biting, as the water finally warms up to 60 degrees or so. Near the dam at Highline Lake seems to be the best fishing area for bass and crappie, from the bank or from a boat. PowerBait is now available in the Visitor Center, along with nightcrawlers and fishing licenses. Get ready to be "Gone Fishin" at Highline or Mack Mesa Lake! For those who prefer to troll Highline Lake, ANS boat inspections are available at the WEST ramp, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. only. As always, ". . . the worst day fishing is better than any day at work!" If you catch or see a northern pike at either lake, please remove it from the water if possible and turn it over to park staff.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (Mesa County)
Fishing has slowed down some but people are still catching trout at Old Orchard Lake at Island Acres as well as at Corn and Connected Lakes. 2000 rainbow trout were stocked at Red Rocks Lake at Fruita on 4/23. The crappie and catfish are still biting at Fruita and there are still a few large trout that are biting on flies and power bait.
Lake Granby (Grand County) -
No reports this week.
Pearl Lake State Park (Routt County)
Belly boaters are doing well around the willows, bank fishing has been OK. The dam area has been producing pretty well also. Please remember Pearl Lake is regulated to flies and lures only, with a bag limit of two 18"+ trout.
Rifle Gap State Park (Garfield County)
PLEASE NOTE: Large and Small Mouth Bass must be returned to the water from May 1 - June 15th, due to spawning. Most anglers are looking for perch (no limit), pike (no limit) or trout (limit 4). Most recently some large Walleye have been spotted on the bottom of the lake off the Cedar campground loop. It was reported that a 22" Walleye caught and a 24" Pike were caught by the same angler.
Stagecoach State Park (Routt County)
Anglers fishing from the shore or a boat have had good luck near the inlet. Pike and trout reports have slowed, but people are still catching plenty of fish. Tailwaters anglers are using San Juan worms, RS2's and zebra midges. CR 18 is now open. During the busy season for the Tailwaters, anglers are asked to be mindful of the resources and help avoid overcrowding.
Steamboat Lake State Park (Routt County)
The reports on fishing are great! Parks staff has had reports of 17-20 inchers being caught. The fish seem to be hitting just about everything. The inlets are still producing well as is the dam area. Meadow Point on the Mill Creek side is doing well also.
Sylvan Lake State Park (Eagle County)
Fishing has been great! There are a variety of hatches going on right now. For fly fishing, fish are biting on olive wooley worms #12, olive. Midge flies with white beads in olive and red. The stocker cutthroats and rainbows, along with native brook trout are moving around in schools close to shore, eating a variety of midges. As for bait fisherman, red and green power bait has been doing very well, along with a variety of spinners.
Vega State Park (Mesa County)
Fishing is excellent at Vega. Rainbows are being caught daily in the 14 - 18 inch range with Power Bait, worms, salmon eggs and Panther Martins. The lake was stocked with fingerling trout on May 2nd. Please remember to stop at the entrance station and/or visitor's center and have your boat inspected prior to launching.
Southwest
Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County)
No reports this week, but here's what we heard last week: Water temps have been rising into the mid-50's at Blue Mesa and that's pushing browns and lake trout deeper and off the shoreline areas. Kokanee fishing remains excellent with limits being caught throughout the lake from 10-25 feet deep. Fish reporter Brett says he caught a limit of browns in the 17-21 inch range in the Soap Creek arm just north of the dam. He caught one on a dead minnow that he let sit on the bottom with an egg sinker/splitshot set-up and open reel that let the trout take the bait and swallow it before feeling the pull. He also caught the others on various lures (purple/gold spoons, tiny minnow swimbaits) near rocky underwater outcrops. All the browns had 1-4 small green crayfish in their stomachs.
Crawford State Park (Delta County)
Pike fishing is still consistent with fish upwards of 20 lbs. and 43" still being caught. A few bass have been reported, as well as crappie and catfish.
Gunnison Gorge, Gunnison River (Gunnison - Delta County)
The folks at Gunnison River Expeditions say that the Gunnison Gorge is running at 390 cfs and there is a large amount of bug activity such as caddis, blue winged olives, stone flies and is fishing well. The North Fork of the Gunnison is starting to clear, running 230 cfs. The fishing downstream will be good until they release from Paonia reservoir. We expect low water until Redlands diversion calls their water then we will be expecting 600-700 cfs. With the rise of water that we are expecting, we believe this will delay the Stonefly hatch for a couple of weeks meaning it will not happen extremely early.
Jackson Gulch Reservoir, Mancos State Park (Montezuma County)
The snow continues to melt in the high country so the inlet on the north side of the lake is flowing and this is always a good place to fish. Ten inch rainbow trout are being stocked monthly through the summer. Fishing has been excellent for rainbow trout around 10-12" and 4-6" yellow perch with an occasional large brown trout. The trout are especially active in the flowing water near the inlet and enjoy various PowerBaits (especially garlic), florescent green and gold spinners and worms. Perch love nightcrawler, mealworm, or waxworm so a small jig tipped with nightcrawler works well. Perch are spending their time right down on the bottom of the lake. Perch are small, averaging about 4-6”, but anglers should keep them if they’ll eat them. There is no limit on the number of perch you can possess and they make great fish tacos! This also helps to work towards thinning the perch population in the lake. The daily limit for trout is 4. Remember to purchase your new fishing license (your old one expired 3/31/2012).
Navajo State Park (Archuleta County)
The crappie have started biting in the mooring cove and at the breakwater tires. Water temperature is approximately 56 degrees. Call our marina at 970-883-2628 for more information. Colorado and New Mexico fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Center.
Ridgway State Park (Ouray County)
The water level on the reservoir continues to rise with the spring runoff but it has not seemed to affect the fishing. Both shore fisherman and boaters are reporting very good fishing conditions for stocker sized (8”-14”) fish with a few larger fish (18”-20”) being caught from time to time. Fishermen are mainly catching rainbows but there have been some browns, splake, and kokanee caught this spring. Shore fishermen are doing especially well between Dutch Charlie Fishing Pier and the mouth of Mears Bay and along the Dallas Creek Shoreline. Shore fisherman should to try gold KastMasters, yellow/black Panther Martins, and pink or orange power bait or salmon eggs off the bottom. Boat fishermen are having luck with gold pop-gear and black and silver sinking Rapalas near the dam and around the opening to Mears Bay. Fishing in the Uncompahgre River in Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is still exceptional. The river flows are currently at around 300 cfs but will continue to rise as spring runoff continues. Fly fisherman are doing well on prince nymphs and hairs ears, but other small midges are working as well. There have been several reports of grasshoppers already showing up along the banks of the river so a hopper pattern may work pretty good as well. Spin fisherman are doing well with gold Mepps and yellow and 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 water immediately. The ponds at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk have a good population of Rainbow and Brown Trout. Fishing the ponds this spring has been very good. There have been several larger fish (18”-20”) caught this spring. Fishermen have been doing well with night crawlers and salmon eggs on top in the mornings and evenings, and various colors of Power Bait off the bottom in the middle of the afternoon. Please remember that the Uncompahgre River running adjacent to the ponds is restricted to flies and lures only and all fish must be returned to the water immediately.
Sanchez Reservoir (Costilla County)
No current report.
Taylor Park Reservoir (Gunnison County)
The folks at Taylor Park Marina provide the following report: "The boat ramp is up and running. Lake trout fishing has been very good - mostly trolling anywhere from 18 to 40 feet deep. Some large fish have been seen rolling all over the lake and a couple fisherman "lost the big one" trying to reel it in. Rainbow fishing has been a little slow but should start to pick up as the water warms. Northern pike have been caught almost every day in the shallows. Parks and Wildlife stocked us with three or four loads of catchable rainbows and we've received 300,000 Kokanee fingerlings that should be great fishing into the future.
Anglers wishing to contribute information to the weekly fishing report should submit their fishing tips or conditions reports to fish.reporter@state.co.us. The deadline for the weekly fishing report is Mondays at 5 p.m.
Have a suggestion for the fishing report, email us at fish.reporter@state.co.us.