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: http://www.fishexplorer.com/, http://www.coloradofisherman.com/, http://www.fishhound.com/ and http://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 Reservoir is open to boating. Water temperature is 54 degrees. All watercraft must be inspected prior to launch in the lower parking lot near the boat ramp. The handicapped-accessible fishing dock is not available at this time due to the construction of the new fishing dock. Trout fishing is slow-to-fair at this time. From shore, try PowerBait and spoons. From boats, try trolling slowly with spoons and Rapalas. Fly casters are reporting slow-to-fair success. May tends to be a difficult month due to large midge hatches. Some reports of walleye being caught using jigs and trolling with bottom bouncers are coming in. Some success from shore on walleye using slip floats and crawlers fished shallow is also being reporter. Fishing is slow on all other species. Reservoir is restricted to electric motors only. For more information call 303-690-1286. Park hours for May: 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Arvada Reservoir (City of Arvada)
We stocked 2,500 trout on May 14. Water conditions are good. Lately, fishing has been fair with some nice rainbows and several 3-4 pound smallmouth bass being taken. We also had a couple of 20-pound catfish out this week.
Barr Lake State Park (Adams County)
Trout are biting near the boat ramp; boaters have caught some nice 18- to 20-inch walleye and a 22-inch wiper by the dam. Water temp is 53 degrees. A state parks pass is required ($7 Daily Pass or $70 Annual Pass) in addition to your valid fishing license (2013's now available at our Nature Center).
Chatfield State Park (South of Littleton in Douglas and Jefferson Counties)
Many fishermen continue to report catching rainbow trout of all sizes from the shoreline all around the reservoir. Roxborough cove has been active on the west side of the park. Massey Draw and the shorelines north and south of the swimbeach have been active on the east side of the park. All kinds of bait are being used including live bait, PowerBait, and various artificial lures. Fishing from a boat, visitors are reporting catching smallmouth in the rocky areas near the dam and in warmer, shallow water. Walleye reports are spotty, but some fishermen are catching walleye at night. The gravel ponds are a popular place to fish for bluegill and perch. Many people fish these areas using live bait and a bobber.
Cherry Creek State Park (South of I-225, East of I-25 in Arapahoe County)
Crappies, sun fish, and trout are being caught near the West Shades and near Mountain/Lake/Tower loops. Walleye are also being caught near the dam. Make sure you have a parks pass for your vehicle and a valid fishing license and good luck! Fishing is prohibited from the dam and within 100 feet of dam or with walleye spawning nets from 4 p.m. to 9 a.m. from March 15 to April 15.
Quincy Reservoir (City of Aurora)
Water temperature is 64 degrees. Fishing is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Only watercraft capable of being launched by hand is permitted. All watercraft must be inspected prior to launch. Trout fishing is fair-to-good using spoons and flies. Bass is good using soft plastics, buzz baits and jigs. Bass fishing has really picked up! No other reports at this time. For more information call 303-693-5463. Park hours for May: 5:30 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Standley Lake (City of Westminster, Jefferson County)
Standley Lake is open for day boating and permit holders. The current lake temperature is approximately 61 degrees. Walleye, wiper, and bass are being actively caught by boaters and shore fishermen. Fishing times are 6:30 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. Aquatic Nuisance Species regulations are in effect. Call for more details. A $7 fee is charged for all drive-in traffic. A $15 fee for daily boating is required for canoes, kayaks and small fishing vessels. No belly boats are allowed. Any trailered boat must meet ANS program protocols and are subject to quarantine. 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)
No report this week.
Boyd Lake State Park (North of Loveland, Larimer County)
Trout fishing is good for anglers trolling cranks throughout the lake. Fishing for largemouth bass is good on worms in the no-wake areas. For smallmouth bass try jerk baits and Chad colored jigs. White bass are hitting minnows lake wide. Blue gill, carp, catfish, crappie and yellow perch action is slow. Walleye anglers are seeing good action on crank baits and Rapallas, especially on the east side of the north end of the lake in 12 to 14 feet of water. Lake levels are currently about 1,000 surface acres. 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 Colorado Fishing brochure for further clarification and information.
Carter Lake (Larimer County)
A few trout have been caught off the shore at the south end of the lake. Reports of a couple of large walleye being caught near the North Pines Boat ramp back to Green Cove.
Eldorado Canyon State Park (South Boulder Creek, Boulder County)
South Boulder Creek is running high around 150 CFS. You must possess a valid Colorado fishing license if you are age sixteen or older. Fishing licenses are available at the Visitors Center.
Eleven Mile State Park (Park County)
The trout fishing is very good right now with rainbows, cutthroats, cuttbows and an occasional brown with many over five pounds being reported. Look to Suckers Cove, Rocky Flats and North Shore as hot spots. The bite is sporadic. You can see one in the early morning, then it turns off and picks up again later in the day with sundown being lots of fun. As the water warms, the bite can vary at different times of the day. Flies and tube jigs are being taken by the big ones. Bait anglers are seeing lots of 16 to 18 inch fish. We haven’t received any reports of salmon being caught. The pike fishing is fair, and there are monsters on the prowl in shallow water around North Shore, Rocky Flats, Stoll Mountain and Witchers Cove. Try Spoons, waterdogs, and sucker meat for best results. Patience is required, but big ones are being caught. Dream Stream is good; large fish being caught with midges, Barr’s Emergers, San Juan worms and egg patterns.
Flatiron Reservoir (Larimer County)
A few trout have been caught near the dock on worms and green PowerBait.
Golden Gate Canyon State Park Ponds (Jefferson and Gilpin Counties)
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 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. Please call the Visitor Center for directions at 303-582-3707.
Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park (Larimer County)
Lory State Park offers access to Horsetooth reservoir's Quarry, Orchard, North and South Eltuck, Soldier and Santanka Coves for fishing.
Jackson Lake State Park (Morgan County)
The reservoir is full. Surface water temperature is approximately 47 degrees as of Saturday, May 4. Fishing has picked up with the warmer temperatures. This weekend there have been several people out and having great success catching wipers, trout and walleye. There were approximately 4500 trout about 10-inch long stocked on 4/12/13.
Jumbo Reservoir (Logan and Sedgwick Counties)
The water level is full and temperature is 45 to 50 degrees. Walleye fishing has been good using night crawlers. A few smallmouth bass are being caught on lures. Catfish are being caught on nightcrawlers and stink baits. Trout are good on PowerBait. Jumbo requires an annual fishing or hunting license, or an annual State Wildlife Area permit to enter per person ages 19-64. The minimum size for walleye is 15 inches.
North Sterling State Park (Logan County)
Some keeper walleye are being caught in early morning hours. Several large catfish have been caught in the inlet on cut bait. Water temperatures are in the lower 60s. Several fish stockings have already occurred, and there are more to come this spring. Several truck loads of trout, as well as one stocking of walleye and catfish, have already been delivered.
Pinewood Reservoir (Larimer County)
Fair trout fishing near the dam and in fisherman's cove.
Prewitt Reservoir (Washington County)
The water level is still full and the inlet is running at 31 CFS. Wipers and walleye fishing is good, and are being caught from boats. The boat dock should be in the first part of May. Prewitt requires an annual fishing or hunting licenses, or an annual State Wildlife Area permit to enter per person ages 19 to 64. The minimum size for walleye is 15 inches.
Spinney Mountain State Park (Park County)
No report this week from the folks at Spinney Mountain State Park. Spinney opened to fishing and hand-carried boats on April 26. Low water has the boat ramps off limits for the time being.
St. Vrain State Park ponds (Weld County)
Sandpiper, Mallard and Coot ponds received a healthy stock within the last week. Worms, power bait, and red salmon eggs have been producing good numbers of stock-size trout (8-12 inches). Lucky Tip: Sandpiper pond also received brood-size (18-plus inch) trout this past week. Panfish are still being caught on Mallard and Redtail Ponds with red/orange jigs and salmon eggs bringing the most success. Bass are starting to move between the shallows and the deep in each of the ponds, and we've seen a few starting to clear for beds. Imitation crawfish and other small Texas-rigged plastics seem to produce good numbers (remember: Bald Eagle pond is fishable with flies and lures only, plastics must be at least 1 1/2" in length and all bass must be returned to the water immediately.) There have been sightings of saugeye, ranging between 10-12" at Coot Pond and there has yet to be a report of a catfish being caught. Please remember to carry your fishing license while fishing and check the 2013 Colorado Fishing brochure for limits.
Southeast
Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)
Fishing for crappies is fair to good. Crappies are being caught on live minnows and a variety of jigs. Fishing for catfish has started to improve. There are several nice channel catfish that have been caught from the shore, using a variety of baits. The low water boat ramp is still usable at Blue Lake.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area /Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)
Here's an update from Greg at ArkAnglers: “Hot weather last week initiated spring runoff on the Arkansas, raising the flows and cooling and discoloring the water. However, the cooler weather currently moving through Colorado has slowed that melt, and we are seeing a decline in flows and improved visibility. By Memorial Day weekend, flows may be on the rise again, but for the next several weekdays, expect discolored but fishable water. With the colder water, the caddis hatch seems to have gone on hiatus, probably until after the runoff, but Blue-wing olive mayflies continue to hatch, and our stonefly populations are on the move, with the recently reintroduced pteronarcys (salmonfly) hatching this week between Big Bend and Swissvale and the golden stonefly nymphs beginning their migration toward shore. With many fish holding tight to the shoreline now, dry-dropper rigs with big stonefly patterns top and bottom should be effective. Streamers worked from a boat are also a good option in these conditions.”
Brush Hollow Reservoir (Fremont County)
The water level is up. Water temperature is about 57 degrees. Fishing has been slow, but it is picking up. Trout fishing is good with pink PowerBait. Some crappie have been picking up using white jigs, but they’re not biting quite yet. A few bass are being caught along the east shore.
Clear Creek Reservoir (Chaffee County)
Clear Creek Reservoir boat ramp is open Thursday through Monday, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Fishing has been good from boats and shore. Shore fishermen using various bait including worms and power bait. Cottonwood Lake is open and fishing is fair-to-good. Most fishermen are bait fishing as the insects have not really come out yet. Most common bait is PowerBait. Here is an update from Jerry Hornbuckle: “The delay of opening the Reservoir a week because the lake was still covered in ice has been compounded by a week of continued bad weather: cold temperatures, snow, rain, and winds. On those few days the weather permitted fishing, stocker sized rainbows were caught on small spinner baits but not much on anything else. Although most of the fish were thin bodied, a few were fat little guys but all were active once hooked, tail walking and flipping out of the water. Besides the small spinner lures such as Blue Foxes with a rainbow trout color pattern, wet flies trolled deep with a piece of worm on the fly’s hook also did well for one pair of fishermen, as did whole worms trolled deep on nothing but a hook with cowbells to attract attention to the bait. Many of those fishing from the bank caught their limit, but it took from two to four hours; one set of four fathers with their small sons did extremely well with the spinner lures with everyone catching several each, releasing all but enough for dinner. On one more final bright note, one boater reported landing a 19 inch Kokanee.”
DeWeese Reservoir (Custer County)
Deweese Lake is open. Boat fishing has been most productive trolling lures. Shore fishing has also been good using PowerBait.
Henry Lake (Crowley County)
Fishing for catfish at Lake Henry is fair. The boat ramp at Lake Henry is closed due to low water conditions.
John Martin Reservoir State Park (Bent County)
Fishing is starting to pick up on the reservoir and below the dam. Lake Hasty has provided some quick catches with stocked trout. The stilling basin and the Arkansas River below the dam have produced large catfish, saugeye and striper. The reservoir has produced a few crappies using bright jigs along the rocky coves on the north and south shores near the dam. White bass and wiper are being caught by the dozens out of the reservoir with white twister tail grubs. Drum bluegill, carp, and walleye have also been caught in the reservoir, but with little frequency. Good Luck!
Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County)
As the weather heats up the fishing is following suit. We have seen a great increase in the number of bass, walleye, and trout being caught in the lake. Tales of a 25-plus inch wiper have been making their way around the park. The fishing is really starting to take off near the dam and on the west side of the lake. Anglers are reporting that the morning and evenings, when out of the blazing heat, are the most productive times on times on the reservoir. The fishing below the dam continues to be steady, though the flows have been pushed up making wading and access slightly more difficult. As the busy season begins, please be considerate of all other users here at the park and know they are out enjoying our natural resources just as you are. Also, please continue to follow the rules and regulations regarding method of take and bait use while on river. If you have any questions please stop in at our visitor center or stop and ask a ranger on the park. Tight lines everyone!
Lathrop State Park, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake (Huerfano County)
The trout are biting, and provide a fairly easy catch if you take a boat out. Most people are using pink or yellow PowerBaits, with a few crawlers as well. The muskie have started to bite, and we have seen quite a few pulled in this last week. The pike bite has slowed down a bit, but it should pick up as the weather warms up. A few catfish are being caught in the late night, or early morning hours along the north side of Horseshoe using chicken liver. The water is sitting around 62 degrees on both lakes.
Meredith Reservoir (Crowley County)
Fishing for catfish is fair to good with a few wipers being caught. Fishing for crappies is slow. The boat ramp at Lake Meredith is closed due to low water conditions.
Mt. Elbert Forebay (Lake County)
Fishing at Mt. Elbert Forebay on has been good. Shore anglers reported catching rainbow trout with worms and salmon eggs on the south side of the reservoir. Anglers engaging in active fishing may want to consider black wooly buggers or Pistol Petes. A majority of the landed rainbow trout ranged from 8-12 inches with the occasional larger rainbow trout being caught. However, lake trout fishing from shore has been very unproductive. Midday water surface temperatures were in the low 40s.
Nee Gronda Reservoir (Kiowa County)
Nee Gronda fishing has been slow. Fishing for wiper and catfish is expected to be good. Water levels continue to drop making boat access "hand launch only."
Rampart Reservoir (El Paso County)
The U.S. Forest Service will open Rampart Reservoir to shoreline anglers and hand launched watercraft on May 24. The road across the dam and access to the boat ramp will remain closed to vehicle traffic.
Turquoise Reservoir (Lake County)
As of Monday, Turquoise is still iced over with unsafe ice. Reservoir water levels remain low.
Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)
Trinidad Lake is approximately 454 surface acres and the surface temp is hovering in the low 50s. Anglers are still catching rainbows on various colored PowerBaits and homemade dough baits. We have heard from multiple boaters that the walleye have been biting on different colored jigs heads with either Mister Twister jigs or nightcrawlers. We are starting to hear of perch biting. The boat ramp is open for the season. Boaters beware of floating debris and unmarked hazards. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for bass and walleye.
Twin Lakes Reservoir (Lake County)
Fishing conditions at Twin Lakes Reservoir have been lethargic with a majority of anglers catching one or no fish at all. Lake trout fishing from a boat has been poor. A few boat anglers reported catching lake trout on soft baits and suckers during the morning. Shore anglers, on the other hand, did not experience any success landing a lake trout. A handful of shore anglers did report catching rainbow trout on corn and lures. The whole reservoir is now unthawed. Boat inspections have commenced for trailered watercraft at the Dexter Point boat ramp. The Dexter Point boat ramp, which is located on the lower part of Twin Lakes, will be open seven days a week from 6:00 a.m. until dusk. The midday surface water temperatures were in the mid 40s.
Northwest
Colorado River at Glenwood Springs (Garfield County)
Due to May run-off, the Colorado River is murky and not ideal for fishing for the next few weeks.
Delaney Buttes, Cowdrey and Lake John (Jackson County)
Here's an update from Bill at Lake John Resort: Lake John, along with North and South Delaney, joined East Delaney and Cowdrey Lake in the category of “ice free.” No report on the boat docks yet, but it shouldn't be long. No current word on Big Creek, but Chambers and Joe Wright are still capped. All roads are open, including the north road into John from Cowdrey, but expect some puddles around the lakes if the rain showers continue.
Elkhead Reservoir State Park (Moffat County)
Fishing is a little slow, but with the warmer days ahead, it should pick up nicely. The runoff has started but is minimal, so the lake has not completely muddied yet. With the cloudy water and colder temperatures fish baits close to shore and alone structure. Some of the shallow coves are producing pike; we haven't really heard of any bass or crappie yet. The lake is open to fishing and hand-launched boats.
Fryingpan River (Eagle County)
Here's a report from Taylor Creek Fly Shop: "Flow is at 120 CFS. We are enjoying some terrific Spring fishing on the Fryingpan this week. Flows have essentially tripled from winter levels, which has helped spread the fish around, and the bugs are happily hatching up and down the river. Up top is midge world, the middle and lower river are seeing strong Blue-wing olive hatches. With the increase in flows, there are many mysis spilling out of the dam, which makes the fish in the upper miles happy, too. Streamers have been very effective on darker, cloudier days and after the sun goes behind the mountains. Dry fly fishing is still best utilizing long leaders tapered down to 7x, and nymphing is best approached with short and light rigs on 6x. Get up there and have some fun!”
Harvey Gap State Park (Garfield County)
Lots of trout are being caught throughout the lake, especially at the dam. Tiger muskies were stocked at Harvey this past week. To learn more about Tiger muskies coming to Harvey Gap State Park, read the full press release.
Highline Lake State Park and Mack Mesa Reservoir (Mesa County)
Fishing is always fun at both Mack Mesa and Highline Lakes! Both lakes have been stocked this spring, so come out and drop a line or two. Bring the gang, or come solo for the peace and quiet - any day fishing is a good day!! Boats must use the East (Visitor Center) park entrance for timely ANS inspections.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (Mesa County)
Fishing at the Fruita section is decent. People have been catching their limit in trout and there have been some very large crappie caught. Bass fishing has slowed down a bit at Connected Lakes, but if you get to the park early morning you might have some luck. Trout fishing at Corn and Island Acres has been good. Popular forms of bait have been PowerBait, worms and flies.
Lake Granby (Grand County)
Not much action to report. According to the folks on fishexplorer.com, Granby is fishing slow. Anglers are learning that this big body of water fishes differently when the water levels are low.
Pearl Lake State Park (Routt County)
Ice is unsafe and melting fast. No angler reports at this time.
Rifle Gap State Park (Garfield County)
Pike and perch are being caught near the dam as well as on the east end of the lake.
Roaring Fork River (Garfield County)
Latest info from Taylor Creek Fly Shop: “Roaring Fork River is experiencing May run-off, and conditions are not ideal for fishing for the next few weeks.”
Stagecoach State Park (Routt County)
Anglers casting from shore have been landing plenty of 4-5 pound trout on PowerBait. Pike have been slowly moving towards shallow water. The reservoir is open to boating. Shores may be muddy. Tailwaters fishing has been great with many 18 inch plus sized trout being caught. Pearl or orange scuds, zebra midges, and RS2’s have been doing the trick for tailwaters anglers. Small sections of shoreline have been roped off to help prevent erosion. If the tailwaters parking lot is full, please park at the dam or come back another time to avoid overcrowding.
Steamboat Lake State Park (Routt County)
We are having strong fishing reports from all areas of the lake. We went ice-off less than a week ago, the water is still cold, and this is the best time to fish here!
Sylvan Lake State Park (Eagle County)
The lake was ice free as of May 10. Fishing with Rooster Tails has been very good near the inlet for rainbows and brookies.
Vega State Park (Mesa County)
Anglers are catching some very nice rainbows and Snake River cutthroats in the 12 - 18 inch range with PowerBait, worms, lures and salmon eggs. The fish are spawning. The Island boat ramp is open. Early Settlers and Oak Point boat ramps are expected to open by Memorial Day weekend depending on water levels. Please remember to stop at the entrance station or Visitor Center and have your boat inspected if it is on a trailer and has a motor of any type. Citations will be issued to boaters who fail to have an inspection prior to launching. Sealing your boat when leaving the reservoir will speed up launching time considerably on your next outing. Pre-sealed and inspected boats can launch earlier.
Yampa River State Park (Routt County)
Fishing is slow but still good. Water temps remain cold with visibility about 2.5 feet. Runoff is just starting so fishing in the morning will help with water clarity. We are seeing both trout and pike in the Hayden/Craig areas. Fish light color streamers slow off the bank. Slow retrieve on Rapalas or any minnow imitation should turn fish.
Southwest
Big Meadows Reservoir (Rio Grande County)
The road is open. Fishing is good for rainbows, some brook trout being caught as well. Most folks are fishing from shore using PowerBait and salmon eggs.
Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County)
Chatter on fishexplorer.com says Blue Mesa trolling for lake trout is good right now. Shore fishermen are also catching good quantities of trout on flies.
Crawford State Park (Delta County)
We have numerous reports of pike and catfish. The crappie have slowed down in this cooler weather, but are still being reported.
Echo Canyon Reservoir (Archuleta County)
Echo Canyon has been fishing well for rainbow trout using worms, powerbait, lures, and fly/bubble. Fishing for bass has been fair.
Gunnison Gorge, Gunnison River (Gunnison - Delta County)
Gunnison River Expeditions provided this update: "The Gunnison Gorge is running at 298 CFS and running clear to Smith Fork. The Smith Fork on the warmer days has been running muddy so from the Smith Fork to the Pleasure Park the river has been running off colored to muddy. The fishing has still been productive mainly fishing with Pat’s rubber legs, caddis, princes, yellow sallies, and midges. With the cold front that has come through, the smith fork to Pleasure Park has cleared up. The North Fork of the Gunnison is running 1260 CFS and blown out. We think the peak runoff has happened and the North Fork will gradually recede with occasional peak flows.
Mancos State Park, Jackson Gulch Reservoir (Montezuma County)
Jackson Gulch reservoir is beginning to rise as snow melts in the mountains. The lake is still quite low. In spite of that, fishing has been fair for 10 to 12 inch rainbow trout and 6 to 7 inch yellow perch with an occasional large brown trout. The inlet is flowing at about 60 CFS and this is a favorite area for the trout to hang out. Trout enjoy various PowerBaits (especially rainbow and garlic), and worms. Perch love nightcrawler, mealworm, or waxworm. Perch are small, averaging about 6-7”, 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. A park pass is required when utilizing the park. Daily park passes are available at the self-serve pay post at the park entrance. If you are interested in an annual pass please call our Dolores office: 970-882-2213. Fishing licenses are on sale at the Mancos entrance station during the summer months. During the off-season licenses can be purchased at our Dolores office. For fishing rules/regulations and information, see the Fishing Regulations interactive brochure.
Navajo State Park (Archuleta County)
The crappie have been biting in LaJara and Bancos Canyons. Water temperature is currently approximately 54 degrees. 2013-14 Colorado and New Mexico fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Center at this time. Please remember to bring sunscreen, insect repellent and clothes appropriate for changes in the weather.
Ridgway State Park (Ouray County)
The reservoir is 77 percent full and continues to rise this week. Our most recent reservoir stocking, with 2,000 catchable rainbow trout, occurred on April 4. Both shore fisherman and boaters are reporting very good fishing for stocker-sized fish (8 to 14 inches) with a few larger fish (18 to 20 inches) being caught, and a couple 12 to 13 pound browns being reported. Fishermen are mainly catching rainbows, but there have also been some browns, splake and a few smallmouth bass. Shore fishermen are doing well along the Dallas Creek day use area shoreline. Shore fisherman should try gold Kastmasters, pink or green 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. Fishing in the Uncompahgre River at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is excellent. Our most recent stocking of the river, with 200 cutthroat trout, occurred on May 1. The river flows are currently at around 70 CFS and will remain steady for now. Fly fisherman are doing well on bead-headed nymphs and wooly buggers; copper johns and small midges are also working. 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 were stocked with 2000 rainbows on May 17. Fishing in the ponds in May has been good. There have been several larger fish (18 to 20 inches) caught. Fishermen have been doing well with worms and salmon eggs on top in the mornings and evenings, and various colors of PowerBait off the bottom in the afternoon. Please remember that the Uncompahgre River running adjacent to the ponds is restricted to flies and lures only.
Rio Grande River (Rio Grande County)
Rio Grande River is running high, so nothing to report.
Taylor Reservoir (Gunnison County)
Here's an update from Dee Dee at Taylor Park Marina: "The weekend fishing was fantastic. Lots and lots of large lake trout were caught, most trolling with Rapalas. Check out the Taylor Park Marina on Facebook for some current pics. Rainbows are mostly being caught from shore with worms or PowerBait. Several Northern Pike were caught, mostly with suckermeat from shore. We were stocked with rainbows last week (2 trucks around 8,000), and this week the kokanee fingerlings will be released. I would guess we will get stocked with more rainbows this week. Fish on!"Here's an update from Dee Dee at Taylor Park Marina: "The weekend fishing was fantastic. Lots and lots of large lake trout were caught, most trolling with Rapalas. Check out the Taylor Park Marina on Facebook for some current pics. Rainbows are mostly being caught from shore with worms or PowerBait. Several Northern Pike were caught, mostly with suckermeat from shore. We were stocked with rainbows last week (2 trucks around 8,000), and this week the kokanee fingerlings will be released. I would guess we will get stocked with more rainbows this week. Fish on!"
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.