Colorado Fishing Report for July 9, 2013

Miramonte Reservoir in Montrose to close both boat ramps
Due to the low water level at Miramonte Reservoir, both boat ramps at the lake will be closed the week of July 8. Lake users, however, can continue to use hand-launched craft such as canoes, sea kayaks and row boats. Float tubes can also be used. The level of the reservoir is being drawn down by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in preparation for an operation to remove all fish. The water will be treated with Rotenone, an organic pesticide that breaks down quickly in the environment and poses no danger to other animals or plant life. The treatment will ensure that smallmouth bass are eliminated from the reservoir. The warm-water species was stocked illegally before 2011. Biologists are confident that a smallmouth bass fishery cannot be sustained in the long term. Licensed anglers can continue unlimited harvest of fish until the reservoir closes for the treatment. After the treatment in September, Parks and Wildlife will stock trout fingerlings and catchables and soon as water conditions allow.

Cherry Creek State Park hosts “Lake Appreciation Day”
The staff at Cherry Creek State Park invites you to join them for “Lake Appreciation Day,” July 20. If you sign up for one of a number of cool volunteer projects in the morning, you can stay and enjoy and afternoon of pontoon boat rides, canoeing, archery, fishing and lots of other activities in the afternoon. The day of fun in the sun begins at 8 a.m. at “Prairie Loop.”  At 11:30 a.m., the park will host a free lunch followed by an afternoon excitement. From noon to 3 p.m., there will be pontoon rides, canoeing, archery and educational programs. There will also be a kids’ fishing clinic and a Prize-Raffle: for all ages (horse stables, shooting range discounts, fishing rod give-away, and other miscellaneous prizes). You should dress appropriately for the morning volunteer activities: closed-toed shoes, gloves, work clothes; bring sun block, bug spray, and a water bottle. Please call Karen Ebersole at 303 690-1166 ext. 6566 for questions and to sign up your group or individual. Projects will include a shoreline clean-up and the removal of harmful weeds to Cherry Creek. Your help will protect native plants, fish, birds and other wildlife!

June’s fishing records
Don’t forget to check out June’s Master Anglers Awards for a list of the month’s top catches!

Fly fishing close to home in Denver July 11
Colorado Parks and Wildlife and ORVIS will provide a free fly-fishing seminar on “Fly fishing within an hour of Denver” on July 11 and 25 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The event will be held at the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Hunter Education building at 6060 Broadway in Denver. Kerry Caraghar, ORVIS expert, will detail all of the fishing hot spots that can be enjoyed in your own backyard. To register please e-mail wildlife.neoutreach@state.co.us or call (303) 291-7804 and leave a message with the name of the event, name(s) of attendees, address and phone number. For more information on other ORVIS fly fishing seminars at their stores, visit their web site at www.orvis.com.

Evergreen Lake State Park hosts Outdoor Skills Day
Evergreen families are invited to join Colorado Parks and Wildlife and its partners for a day of fishing, shooting and wildlife recreation on July 21, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This event is an opportunity to get outside with the kids and learn the basics of safe and ethical wildlife recreation. This skills day will feature hands-on, safe instruction in multiple wildlife recreation activities. Participants will be paired with seasoned instructors and experts in the various skills. Opportunities at the event include: fly fishing and spin casting in Bear Creek and bait fishing in Evergreen Lake with Evergreen Trout Unlimited, earning a Junior Wildlife Officer badge, shooting .22’s and BB guns, elk bugling with the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, a nature walk with Evergreen Audubon, the Bear Aware and Lion Aware education booth, and free lunch from the Evergreen Elks Lodge. Participants are encouraged to wear comfortable walking shoes, a hat, and sunscreen. To RSVP, visit the Colorado Outreach upcoming events page or call 303-291-7804.

Stocking Report
The following waters were recently stocked with catchable (approximately 10″) trout:

Join our new CPW Fishing community on Facebook
Colorado anglers can “like” the new CPW Fishing Facebook page to get tips, share stories and more. If you love fishing, this is the place to be. Before you head out fishing, head for facebook.com/cpwfishing.

Fish with us on Twitter
Colorado anglers can get fishing updates directly from CPW on Twitter. Follow @CPWfish.