Conditions for the week of June 10, 2014. Information is provided by CPW employees and local fishing enthusists. 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/
•http://www.sportfishcolorado.com/
•http://www.coloradofishing.net/
•http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/rt
Many other fly shops and marinas also offer fishing condition reports on their websites as well.
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Conditions Report - Metro Denver Area
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Chatfield State Park
Fishing is good. Bass are doing great from shoreline off worms. Bass bag limit is 5, 15 inches long. Walleye are doing well from boats off lures, with several reported trophy sized. Please remember, Walleye bag limit is 3, 18 inches long, with one of those over 21 inches. Trout are being caught off powerbait from all areas of the park. Trout bag limit is 4, any size.
Cherry Creek State Park
As of 6/7 the water temperature is at approximately 65 degrees.
LAKE CENTER: Multiple Trout and Walleye (ranging from 16’’-24’’) have been caught using baited worms and power bait. Large Mouth Bass have been reported, weighing in at 3lbs.
TOWER LOOP: Multiple Walleye reported. Trout using worms.
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Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado
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Boyd Lake State Park
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Bass, Largemouth: GOOD, Plastic Lures, Marina, Pumphouse & North Cove;
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Bass, Smallmouth: FAIR, Lures, Marina, Pumphouse, North Cove;
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Bass, White: GOOD, Lures, Worms , Marina Inlet & Heinricy Inlet;
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Blue Gill: POOR, Report, Lake Wide;
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Carp: POOR, Report, Lake Wide;
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Catfish: POOR, Report, Lake Wide;
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Crappie: FAIR, Worms & Lures, Lake Wide;
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Trout: GOOD, Worms, Lures, Powerbait, Lake Wide
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Walleye: GOOD, Bottom Bouncers, lures, Shallow Waters Off the Points & Trolling;
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Yellow Perch: POOR, No report, Lake Wide;
The current water temperature is estimated to be approximately 70° with a depth of approximately 54.38 feet. Estimate approximately 1600+ Surface Acres.
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 Colorado Fishing Regulation for further clarification and information.
Eleven Mile State Park
Trout (Fair at best): The midge hatch started a few days after Memorial Day and is slowly winding down. These non-biting insects provide a lot of natural food for the fish and they are taking full advantage of this source which lasts about two weeks, so expect trout fishing to be slow for another couple of weeks. Folks are still catching fish including big ones, but not in high numbers. Needlefish on lead core or downrigger has been effective. Shore anglers still need to work the early morning hours, Sundown until 9:00 p.m. and then the 2:00 a.m. bite(Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
KOKANEE (Slow): There are a few fish being caught down by Deer Island and the buoy line. Most are small in the 12 inch range. A few pop up that are 17 to 18 inches. Sling Blade and a Hoochie have done a fair job. Down rigger and or lead core line rig a must since fish are suspended 15 to 45 feet in the channel. (Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
NORTHERN PIKE (Slow): Although we are seeing more action it is mostly on small fish. The big ones may follow but getting them to strike takes patience. Large Spoons like Daredevil, Mepps with a buck tail and stick baits are your best bet. Action should pick up considerably as water temperatures warm into the mid 50s and they become more active.(Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
DREAM STREAM: No new reports. (Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
Horsetooth Reservoir
Water temperature was 66-68 degrees, and the level has leveled out at 99% full. Walleye fair, try West shoreline, 20 feet deep, hitting grubs and tube jigs! Suspending jerk baits for night bite thirty minutes after dark for two-three hours. Bass good to excellent; water temps and rising water seem to have the smallmouth spawning in deeper water than usual. Fish were moving up and are being found in the coves and should be close to bank. Slow presentation on tubes works, as well as craw colored crank baits, and soft jerkbaits, too! Look for fish making beds in coves where water is warming, try top water baits early morning, senkos under trees. Trout is fair; try worms under a bobber in Satanka and Inlet Bay. Some fish are cruising shallow now, especially in evenings and nighttime. Also try drop shot Gulp minnow-3" for all species.
Jackson Lake State Park
Lake level is full. Surface water temperature as of June 3rd was at 70 degrees. Fishing has been good from the boat. Shorefishing has been fair along the dam. Some nice size wipers and walleye have been taken.
Lory State Park
Water temperature was 56-60 degrees, and the level has risen considerably.
Walleye slow to fair, try dams and West shoreline, 12-15 feet deep, still prespawn so try stick baits, slow troll crawler harness. Suspending jerk baits for night bite thirty minutes after dark for two-three hours.
Bass fair, water temps and rising water seem to have the smallmouth confused. More are being caught on crawdad imitators; also try white/pearl colored suspending jerk baits (XRaps) on main lake points.
Fish were moving up and some are being found in the coves and should be close to spawn in a couple of weeks. Very slow presentation on tubes works, as well as craw colored crank baits, and soft jerkbaits, too! Look for fish making beds in coves where water is warming.
Trout are still active with water rising, try cast masters and lipless cranks in Inlet area, but keep in mind South of the no fish buoy is still off limits. Also try tube baits on main lake points, and worms under a bobber in Satanka and Inlet Bay. Some fish are cruising shallow now, especially in evenings and nighttime. Also try drop shot Gulp minnow-3" for all species.
Update courtesy Bill with the Centennial Bass Club.
Lory State Park offers access to Horsetooth reservoirs coves - Quarry, Orchard, North and South Eltuck, Soldier and Santanka for fishing. Fishing licenses are available at the Lory State Park Visitor Center. The coves are completely open, all ice has melted off. Don't forget you can get your new hunting/fishing licenses at the visitor's center.
St. Vrain State Park
All ponds on the North and South sides of the park are open to fishing and have been stocked several times this year. Fishing for bass and trout is good! Bald Eagle Pond is artificial flies and lures, and catch and release only. Don't forget your fishing license!
Water levels have stabilized and the lake is holding at 14 feet below the high water line. Water temps range from 56-60 degrees. Kokanee salmon fishing is picking up with fish catches being reported in all basins of the lake. Spinners and spoons in pink, orange and green colors trolled behind dodgers are working well from surface down to 25 feet.
Brown and rainbow trout fishing remains good throughout the lake as well. Try bait near the bottom near inlet areas or troll salmon type gear from 15-35 feet.
Spinney Mountain State Park
SPINNEY RESERVOIR (GREAT): Fishing has been great with lots of action being seen on Olive Streamers, Green Wooly Buggers, and Egg Patterns. The hot spot this week has been the shore line, south of the dam.
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Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado
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Arkansas River (Fremont County)
Continued warm weather has maintained an early and strong runoff flow in the Arkansas River, but there is still significant snow on the northern mountains yet to come down. Look for more clearing of the edges in the week ahead and an incremental decline in the flow through Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The main stem of the Arkansas has been challenging, as have the tributaries, but this is starting to shift, particularly among the streams that drain the Monarch and Marshall Pass areas. Mid-elevation lakes have been the mainstay for most anglers throughout this time and that will continue through mid-June.
Blue Lakes (Adobe Creek)
Slow for all species, low water boat ramps are useable.
Brush Hollow Reservoir (Fremont County)
Brush Hollow Reservoir is full and the boat ramp is open. Fishing has been good for trout using salmon eggs, and green power bait. Bass are being caught at the north end, in and along the flooded vegetation using black rubber worms. Crappie fishing is good especially with white jigs. Angling for catfish has picked up at night with several large catfish up to 25lbs.
Clear Creek Reservoir (Lake County)
Fishing from a boat remains good, while shore fishing has been fair at Clear Creek Reservoir. Shore anglers fishing during the morning experienced more success when compared to other parts of the day. Rainbow PowerBait, DareDevle spoons, and Monterey Marvels were very productive at the boat ramp parking area. At the first parking area above the boat ramp parking lot, shore anglers caught several trout on either red salmon eggs or orange PowerBait. Yellow PowerBait worked well at the upper part of the reservoir. Most of the catches from shore were rainbow trout and cutbows between 8-13 inches. Although this may be an unorthodox method to catch a tiger musky, a shore angler caught a tiger musky on PowerBait. No one reported landing a kokanee salmon from shore. Most boat anglers reported landing rainbow trout and cutbows with an occasional kokanee salmon. Trolling with worms coupled with troll blades, Joe’s Flies Short Striker (size 8), Thomas Buoyant lures and Tasmanian Devil lures yielded a high fish catch. Successful boat anglers caught trout by trolling the southern part of the reservoir. The reservoir is closed to trailer and motorized watercrafts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Boating hours are 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Given the amount of wood debris floating in the lake, boaters should exercise extreme caution this week. Midday water surface temperatures were in the mid 50’s F°.
Henry Reservoir
Due to lakes going dry last year, it will take at least two years to rebuild the fishery. Fishing is limited.
Lathrop State Park, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake (Huerfano County)
Both lakes are providing a fair catch, with stocked trout, and a few northern pike still being pulled out of Martin. Stop by the Visitor Center to let us know how the fishing is.
Lake Pueblo
Almost everywhere on the park is fishing well, with some real beauties popping up all over. The lake has been the hot spot, with the west end producing many bass and walleye. Anticline ponds has been hopping lately too, with dusk and dawn being prime times to beat the heat. The river has been pushed to some huge levels, making it a less desirable choice for now. A few weeks until it goes down to safe levels is a good bet. As always please continue to follow the rules and regulations regarding method of take, size limits and bait use while on the river. If you have any questions please stop in at our visitor center or ask a ranger on the park. Tight lines everyone!
Meredith Reservoir
Due to lakes going dry last year, it will take at least two years to rebuild the fishery. Fishing is limited.
Trinidad Lake State Park
The lake is at 526 surface acres and the water temperature is in the low 60’s. Trout fishing has slowed down a bit. The trout we are seeing caught are being caught on powerbait. Walleye fishing is picking up. Walleye have been biting from shore and from boat on bright green jigs. We had two 30 inch walleye caught this week. We are also getting more reports of catfish on chicken liver.
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Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado
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Elkhead Reservoir State Park
Conditions at the lake continue to be spring-like with muddy run-off along with floating debris and fishing continues to be slow. Some anglers report catching pike with any lure that makes noise.
Fryingpan River
The river is brown in the lower miles and clearing the higher up you go.
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10, but the big-fish, mysis shrimp fishing below the dam is easily ranking an 8 out of 10.
THE SHORT AND SWEET: The Fryingpan River is one of the West's best and most well known year-round tailwater fisheries. With the recent increase in water flows, the mysis shrimp fishing below the dam has been very good. Though these flows are not conducive to dry fly fishing, the nymph and streamer fishing remains consistent. Keep in mind, fishing the right water type (soft and slow) is of more importance than fly selection right now. Hatches are limited to blue winged olives and midges which takes the majority of the guess work out, unlike other times of year when multiple/complex hatches take place. Sight fishing to large trout with small flies and light tippets presents the ultimate challenge in light-tackle angling.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Mysis Shrimp!!!, midges, worms, stoneflies and baetis
Lake Granby
Lake Granby is minus 15 feet below full pool and is still filling at about a foot per day. This is making fishing tough, especially for shore fisherman. Water clarity is to one foot and is very stained. Surface water temperature is 54 degrees Fahrenheit. Stillwater and Sunset point ramps are open. Boaters be very cautious with all the debris floating in the water and hazards that have just been cover by water have not been marked yet. I stopped and talked to some shore fisherman, they stated "fishing was good in the mornings using pink and yellow power bait, but the bite tapering off in the afternoon" Boat fishing for Lake Trout has been good in the early hours before the sun comes over the ridge. Lake Trout are being caught a all depths now from 15- 65 feet of water.
Middle Roaring Fork
Runoff is here. As with the upper river, the Fork will have tough visibility in the morning and trending towards better conditions in the afternoons.
OVERALL RATING: 5 out of 10 especially in the late afternoons and into the evening hours. The Roaring Fork significantly widens below Basalt, making the river seem less roaring. Numerous side channels are concentrating the fish, as are any pieces of soft water along the edges. Go ahead, don't be scared...GO FISH!
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Stoneflies, Caddis, Worms, PMD and Drake nymphs
THE SHORT AND SWEET: The Roaring Fork has already peaked as of a few days ago, although it is still moving fast and is pretty colored up. There are challenges out there for the fly fisher, but there are still fish to be caught! During the day, we would advise heading up the Fryingpan, but in the afternoons into the evenings the fishing has been pretty solid. Dry fly fishing has been off lately, but the nymphing has been rockin'. Basic attractor bugs are working best, including San Juan Worms, stones, Princes, etc. You need to find the soft water these days, and where you find one fish, you'll find many. The center line is simply too fast and dirty to hold fish. Simply said, go fish the Fork in the afternoon in your favorite "soft" water!
Pearl Lake State Park
Lake is open and fishing has been good, a lot of grayling were being caught last week by flyfisherman. no reports of how lure fisherman are doing.
Steamboat Lake State Park
Rainbow Ridge was producing great fish over this last weekend between rain showers. Reports have been very positive all over the lake with various baits and lures. Anglers and thinking the spawn is about over though. Bank fisherman have been doing well all around the lake. Placer cove anglers were doing well with gold Kastmasters.
Upper Roaring Fork (Aspen downstream to Basalt)
WATER CLARITY: Stained and discolored but fishable during the late afternoons into the evening hours. We've seen water visibility up to 2-3'ft late in the day. Don't be scared, GO FISH! Fish the soft water and you'll do some damage.
OVERALL RATING: 3 out of 10THE SHORT AND SWEET: Runoff is here. The best fishing has been certainly taking place along the Fryingpan River right now where conditions are more ideal and the water is clear. As we usually preach, the higher you head up the Roaring Fork River, the better water conditions will be found. Above Maroon Creek will offer the best fishing for the forseeable future, but don't be afraid to check out the water below this tributary in the afternoons after the river has a chance to clear.
FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Stoneflies, Caddis, PMD and Drake nymphs
Yampa River
The Yampa River is still fishing slow due to the high and fast moving water. Some anglers have reported catching browns near the Steamboat Springs area and pike in other areas. Winter run-off continues; the river is high, murky and running very fast; use caution when around the water.Again, use extreme caution when around the water.
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Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Water levels have stabilized and the lake is holding at 14 feet below the high water line. Water temps range from 56-60 degrees. Kokanee salmon fishing is picking up with fish catches being reported in all basins of the lake. Spinners and spoons in pink, orange and green colors trolled behind dodgers are working well from surface down to 25 feet. Brown and rainbow trout fishing remains good throughout the lake as well. Try bait near the bottom near inlet areas or troll salmon type gear from 15-35 feet.
Miramonte Lake
Boat ramp is closed, hand launch is possible. Fishing is fair from the shore.
Paonia State Park
4000 10-14 inch rainbow trout have been stocked in the reservoir.