Colorado Fishing Report – April 22, 2014

| Apr 22, 2014 | Comments 0

Courtesy Photo of fishing in the spillway at John Martin Reservoir

Courtesy Photo of fishing in the spillway at John Martin Reservoir

Conditions – Statewide 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​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:

Many other fly shops and marinas also offer fishing condition reports on their websites as well.

Conditions Report – Metro Denver Area

​Aurora Reservoir (City of Aurora)

Aurora Reservoir is open to boating and the water temp is 45 degrees. Trout fishing from shore has been fair using power bait from a slip rig . Some reports using salmon eggs and spoons. Fly fishing is fair using olive leech patters and bead head prince nymphs. Walleye action is slow to fair from shore. Some reports using swim baits and soft plastics from the dam. From the boats some reports trolling with rapalas and using drop shots. Restricted to electric motors only. Park Hours for April is 6:00am-8:30 pm. For more information contact the park office at 303-326-8425.​

Arvada Reservoir (City of Arvada)

We opened April 1 and the fishing has been very good with a lot of nice catches both in size and numbers. The reservoir has been heavily stocked since opening including some  3-4 pounders. Worms and all types of power bait are working. A couple of fly fishermen had success with the hopper dropper system using a small midge as the dropper.  A reminder to boater owners:  please be sure that your boat is clean, drained and dry upon entering and exiting the lake so we can get you in and out as quickly as possible.

Barr Lake State Park (Adams County)

Trout are biting on pink PowerBait by the boat ramp and a 16 inch wiper was caught recently just inside the bouy line along the east shore. The water temp is 46 degrees and clarity is good- 3.5 ft. There is no fishing allowed from the boat ramp or dock. Anglers must have a valid 2014 fishing license and a valid parks pass. Good Luck!​

Chatfield State Park (South of Littleton in Douglas and Jefferson Counties)

Fishing is slow. Some good size Trout and Perch are being caught by jigging off the bottom, near the N. Ramp area.​

​Cherry Creek State Park (South of I-225, East of I-25 in Arapahoe County)

At Dixon grove, bass and walleye are being caught using worms. From mid-lake, walleye and crappie are being caught with worms, bottom bouncers and jigs. The West Shades are reporting walleye and trout being caught using worms. Make sure you have a parks pass for your vehicle and a valid fishing license and good luck!​

Quincy Reservoir (City of Aurora)

Water temperature is open to boating and the water temp is 54 degrees. Only watercraft capable of being launched by hand permitted and restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Bass fishing is fair using lipless crank baits and soft plastics. Trout fishing is good using spoons and flies. Some reports of perch being caught using jigs. Park hours for April is 6:00am-8:30pm. For more information call 303-326-8424.​

Standley Lake (City of Westminster, Jefferson County)

Standley Lake will be open on May 1 for day boating and permit holders.   The current lake temperature is approximately 48 degrees. Standley Lake was recently stocked with over 10,000 catchable (approximately 10″) trout and 1.5 million walleye fry. 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 (ANS) regulations are in effect. 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.

​Conditions Report – Northeast Colorado

​Antero Reservoir (Park County)

No report this week.  ​

​Boyd Lake State Park (North of Loveland, Larimer County)

Type of Fish:      GRADE      Lures Reported Used     Location
Bass, Largemouth: FAIR, Plastic Lures, Marina, Pumphouse;
Bass, Smallmouth: FAIR, Lures, Marina, Pumphouse;
Bass, White: POOR, No Report, Lake Wide;
Blue Gill: POOR, Report, Lake Wide;
Carp: POOR, Report, Lake Wide;
Catfish: POOR, Report, Lake Wide;
Crappie: FAIR, Black tube jigs, Marina area;
Trout: GOOD, Worms, Lures, Powerbait, Lake Wide
Walleye: FAIR, Bottom Bouncers, lures, Powerbait Off the Points & Trolling;
Yellow Perch: POOR, No report, Lake Wide; Report, Lake Wide;
​The current water temperature is estimated to be in the mid 40° with a depth of approximately 48.5 feet. Estimate approximately 1000+ 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.

 

Carter Lake (Larimer County)

With the increasing water temperature fishing at Carter Lake has begun to improve. Limited reports of Walleye being caught along the west end of the lake. As the water temperature increases with the warmer days Walleye fishing should improve.  Trout reports have been more consistent with the greatest​ number of positive reports coming from the south end of the lake.​

Eldorado Canyon State Park (South Boulder Creek, Boulder County)

Access to fishing is limited due to flood damage and the course of the stream has been altered. The flow in the creek is low but increasing and we have had reports of some good catches during the early spring. Until further notice fishing licenses will not be on sale at the park.​

Eleven Mile State Park (Park County)

The reservoir currently has about 12-16″ of ice and very little candling going on east of Goose Island. Large openings of fishable shoreline ice exist at Witchers Cove, Howbert Point, Rogers Mountain, Lazy Boy, Cross Creek and Stoll.  Somewhat smaller areas exist at Suckers Cove, Rocking Chair and the Marina.  The inlet has a 250×300 yard opening.  Please remember that ice thicknesses can vary greatly within relatively short walking distances.
TROUT (Fair) – Hot and heavy action at Coyote Ridge on the ice, but they are all recently stocked fish. Work the water 15-20 ft because the fish are on the bottom. No reports from any shore anglers yet, but they should be comming in soon. Berkley’s Garlic Rainbow or Salmon Peach are good baits to try at this time of year.  (Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
KOKANEE (No Report)
NORTHERN PIKE (No Report)
DREAM STREAM:  Still low and clear. Lake run Rainbows and Cutbows have entered the system and the spawn is on. Redds are clearly visible and should be avoided.  Most trout seem to be post spawn and back to feeding. Nymph to feeders with Pheasant tails, eggs, SJ worms, etc… trailed by various midges (top secret, medallion,  mercury, brassies, beaties, etc.) The streamer bite is also picking up as they become aggressive and metabolism speeds up.  (Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
Patterns to use – #20-24 Medallion Midge, #20-26 Top Secret Midge, #22 Minute Midge, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #10 Pine Squirrel Leech, #22 Mercury Black Beauty, #20-22 Mayer’s Tube Midge, #20-22 Jujubaetis, #22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #22-26 Foam Wing Chocolate Emerger, #22 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnats, and #26 Parachute Adams.  (Courtesy of The Blue Quill Angler).​

 

Flatiron Reservoir (Larimer County)

Trout fishing has been very productive at Flatiron Reservoir. Report of 10-12 inch fish are most common with some fishermen reporting fish exceeding 18 inches. Baits including worms and powerbait have been the most successful. No boats of any kind are allowed on the reservoir however there is plenty of shore access. ​

Golden Gate Cany​​​on 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. Ice fishing allowed on all ponds. Conditions vary throughout t​he winter, fish at your own risk.​

Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park (Larimer County)

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.​ ​

Jackson Lake State Park (Morgan County)

We are open to boating. Fishing is slow to fair. There has been a few people boat fishing and shorefishing.  There were approximately 4400 rainbow trout stocked on March 19th. ​

Jumbo Reservoir (Logan and Sedgwick Counties)

No report this week.

North Sterling State Park (Logan County)

Water levels are great with the lake full. Water temperatures were 46 degrees as of April 18th. Crappie fishing is slow along the dam and in the marina bay, on jigs and minnows.  Few walleye have been caught on jigs. Few catfish have been caught in the inlet on cut bait. ​

Pinewood Reservoir (Larimer County)

No report this week.​

Prewitt Reservoir (Washington County)

​No report this week.

Spinney Mountain State Park (Park County)

Spinney Mountain State Park is closed for the season and will remain closed until ice off. See you then. Dream Stream: *** Walk-in river fishing is still available near the Spinney Wier on the west end of the park. Walk-in access only during the winter is permitted from the wier parking area (closed to vehicles) east to the signed “closure line” that extends north and south of the river at that point. *** Walk-in Access during the winter is also permitted on the east end of the park just west of the Charlie Meyers State Wildlife Area. It is permitted from the east boundry fence of the park west to the dam’s “No Trespass” fenceline as it crosses the river. *** All other portions of the park are closed to all public use until ice-off in the spring.
DREAM STREAM:  Still low and clear. Lake run Rainbows and Cutbows have entered the system and the spawn is on. Redds are clearly visible and should be avoided.  Most trout seem to be post spawn and back to feeding. Nymph to feeders with Pheasant tails, eggs, SJ worms, etc… trailed by various midges (top secret, medallion,  mercury, brassies, beaties, etc.) The streamer bite is also picking up as they become aggressive and metabolism speeds up.  (Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
Patterns to use – #20-24 Medallion Midge, #20-26 Top Secret Midge, #22 Minute Midge, #18 Hot Tail Flash Egg, #20-22 Mercury Blood Midge, #10 Pine Squirrel Leech, #22 Mercury Black Beauty, #20-22 Mayer’s Tube Midge, #20-22 Jujubaetis, #22 Mercury Flashback Pheasant Tail, #22-26 Foam Wing Chocolate Emerger, #22 Matt’s Midge, #22-24 Griffith Gnats, and #26 Parachute Adams.  (Courtesy of The Blue Quill Angler).​

St. Vrain State Park ponds (Weld County)

 

St. Vrain State Park has partially reopened. The ponds available for fishing are Bald Eagle, Red Tail, Coot and Pintail.
The north side of the park, is anticipated to open May 15. The additional ponds that will open at that time are Pelican, Mallard and Sandpiper

​Conditions Report – Southeast Colorado

Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)

No report this week.

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area /Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)

Here’s an update from Greg at ArkAnglers: “A recent spate of unseasonably warm weather has initiated some low elevation melt in the upper Arkansas River basin. True runoff normally begins between May 15th and 20th  so it is likely that some cool weather will slow this down and flows will recede, allowing the river to clear and the fish to more effectively feed. Blue wing olive mayflies continue to be the mainstay in the food supply, though prior to this melt we were getting some early reports of caddis on the lower river. For those fishing in turbid conditions, larger nymphs with contrasting colors are easier for fish to see. As the river clears, we will resume imitating the mayflies, midges and early caddis the fish have been eating.”​

Brush Hollow Reservoir (Fremont County)

Brush Hollow was stocked with 2,000 catchable trout on April 1.

Clear Creek Reservoir (Chaffee County)

No report this week.

DeWeese Reservoir (Custer County)

No report this week.

Henry Lake (Crowley County)

No report this week.

John Martin Reservoir State Park (Bent County)

The stilling basin below John Martin Dam is still providing some catfish late in the day on shad, worms, and stink bait. The reservoir has some frozen areas; however, ice thickness is not safe enough to support ice fishing. Open holes in the river below and above the reservoir may still provide a catch, but there have been no reports as of yet. Fishing is not permitted along the shorelines east of the waterfowl closure line. Please be mindful of all regulations concerning size and creel limits. Good Luck!​

Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County)

No report this week.

Lathrop State Park, Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake (Huerfano County)

The ice has come off the lake for the most part, and has opened up the shores for shore fishing. The fishing has been slow for the most part, but should start to pick up. Please remain off the ice that is left on the lake, it is very thin.​

Meredith Reservoir (Crowley County)

No report this week.

Mt. Elbert Forebay (Lake County)

No report this week.

Nee Gronda Reservoir (Kiowa County)

Water levels at Nee Gronda continue to drop. Fall gill net surveys showed very limited numbers of all species although there was some harvest of catfish  and wiper last summer. Launching of boats is not possible at this time and water access can be difficult. Stocking ativities have been suspended until conditions improve.​​

Turquoise Reservoir (Lake County)

No report this week.

Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)

The fish are biting!  We’ve had reports of excellent walleye (14lbs, 14 ounces and 8lbs), great smallmouth bass (5-6lbs), and many nice rainbow trout (14-inch range) in the last few weeks.  Orange and yellow Powerbait, homemade dough balls, and worms are all doing well.  The reservoir is open for boating, but watch out for those wind storms!  Trinidad Lake is at 654 surface acres, water temperature in the mid-30’s.  For more information call the Visitor’s Center at (719)846-6951.​

Twin Lakes Reservoir (Lake County)

No report this week.

Conditions Report – Northwest Colorado

Colorado River at Glenwood Springs (Garfield County)​

No report this week.

Delaney Buttes, Cowdrey and Lake John (Jackson County)

Here’s an update from Bill at Lake John Resort:

This past week, at least the second half of it, was fairly decent weather-wise.  We had some warm days, thawing breezes, and a couple nights that never dipped below freezing.  Despite this warming trend, not a whole lot of change to the lake conditions from my previous report of a week ago.  (As I write this, the temperature has dropped nearly 15 degrees in the last hour and it’s raining – go figure.) The change most noticed about area lakes caused by the recent temperate trend is the shade the ice develops. The deep, storm cloud gray, mixed with a hue of dark purple, like that seen in a serious bruise, creates an angry look for the last ice of the season. This look is now common to North Park’s sagebrush lakes.
But the ice holds on, at least for a short time longer. A scouting mission over to the Buttes on Easter Sunday revealed ice fishermen at the boat ramp and along the east shore near the willows of the South Lake. At the same time, there is a spot of fishable open water in the southwest corner.
North Delaney Butte Lake had recent foot traffic a top the ice near the boat ramp, and a super small strip of open water on the west side occupied entirely by one lone fly angler.
I don’t recommend ice travel anywhere during this time of year, but especially not now on East Butte, which has the most open water by far — typical, with 10 percent now open, beginning at the inlet and working along the west and south shorelines.
There has been no one ice fishing Lake John in over a week.  And although John is not giving much ground when it comes to fishable open water, the north bays are now filling with water birds and fowl, all doing their part to beat the edge ice back.  The points and rocky shorelines are getting weaker with small pools and wet patches beginning to form.  The road along the west shore is still not being traveled, although it won’t be long.
This is the time of year when caution and common sense needs to overpower certain urges, like trying to drive where you shouldn’t.  Roads around some area lakes, and North Park in general, may have much less snow but lots more mud.  This travel will be nice and firm on a frosty morning, only to grab you by the axles in the warmth of the afternoon.This is just a word to the wise — the rest of you can keep on fishing.  The ground should firm up again at night.

Elkhead Reservoir State Park (Moffat County)

​Anglers’ reports are slow coming in to this date, but some say that pike are fishing well at the reservoir.  As reports come in we will pass them along.​

Fryingpan River (Eagle County)

No report this week.

Harvey Gap State Park (Garfield County)

​BOW FISHING NOT ALLOWED!! Fishing is picking up. Pike are starting to run. Please familiarize yourself with the differences between a pike and muskie.​

Highline Lake State Park and Mack Mesa Reservoir (Mesa County)

Hang out the “Gone Fishin'” sign!  Bring the boat and start catching those big bass, trout and channel cats!  Currently, ANS inspections and decontaminations are being done at the west ramp Monday through Friday 8 am to 6 pm, and Saturday and Sunday 7 am to 7 pm.  All trailered watercraft must be inspected for ANS before launching, unless a seal is attached!  Do Not launch without an inspection or without leaving a seal and receipt in the box provided at the ramp.  The lake inlet at the east boat ramp should be great for catfishing from the bank!  We have several new flavors of power bait available in the Visitor Center, as well as a fresh batch of night crawlers!  Spring fishing at Highline or Mack Mesa Lake is a great way to spend a day, morning or evening – “any day fishing is better than the best day doing anything else!” ​

James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (Mesa County)

Trout were stocked at the Fruita section, Corn Lake and Island Acres in March.​

Lake Granby (Grand County)

Lake Granby is forty-one feet below full pool and is still capped with twelve to eighteen inches of ice. Ice is firm in the morning hours, and slush in the afternoon. Take care not to get caught in the slush with ATV’s. Lake Trout can be found in forty to eighty feet of water, using anything tipped with sucker meat. Please take care of changing ice conditions with spring here, and remember, shore ice melts first. ​

Pearl Lake State Park (Routt County)

Ice is thinning so ice fishing is done for the year no open water as of today 4/18/14

Rifle Gap State Park (Garfield County)

Fishing is slow. Perch and some good sized trout being caught off the boat ramp. Be careful about uneven thickness of ice. Some spots will be thicker than others. FISH AT YOUR OWN RISK!!!!!​

 

​Roaring Fork River (Garfield County)​

No report this week. ​

Stagecoach State Park (Routt County)

Ice conditions are deteriorating and there is no safe access to the ice. There is some open water shoreline fishing available at the inlet. Fishing has been good at the inlet with several 16-18″ trout being caught. The responsible harvest of pike at Stagecoach is encouraged. CR 18 to the Tailwater is open.  Please remember that if the Tailwater parking lot is full, the river is full and anglers are encouraged to come back another time. Contact the park office for more information.​

Steamboat Lake State Park (Routt County)

Willow creek is opened up and flowing out of the culvert on RCR 62 the creek has opened up to the lake but no open water yet as of today 4/18/14 The ice is thinning so Ice fishing is over for the year.​

Sylvan Lake State Park (Eagle County)

No report due to ice conditions. 98% ice covered ~15″ of layered soft ice. Small area of open water at inlet.​

Vega State Park (Mesa County)

The ice is melting rapidly and there is approximately 50 feet of open water around the edges.  Anglers are catching fish near the feeder canal and Fisherman’s Flats with worms and power bait.  ​​ ​

Yampa River State Park (Routt County)

Browns and Rainbows are reported fishing well closer to the Steamboat Springs area.  Pike are also being caught out of the river and Elkhead Reservoir.  Run-off has begun and fishing will be better in the A.M. when the clarity is better.​

Conditions Report – Southwest Colorado

Big Meadows Reservoir (Rio Grande County)

No report this week.

Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County)

Lake Fork Ramp opened Sat. April 19. Elk Creek Ramp opened Monday, April 21. The marinas are not open yet. Inspection stations are operational. Refer to the National Park Website: www.nps.gov/cure or call 970-641-2337.

Ice out is only days old and some sheets of ice are still located between Elk Creek Marina and Iola Basin. Lake trout and brown trout fishing are excellent with fish being caught shallow trolling and jigging.​

​Crawford State Park (Delta County)

No report this week.

​Echo Canyon Reservoir (Archuleta County)

No report this week. ​

Gunnison Gorge, Gunnison River (Gunnison – Delta County)

No report this week.

​Mancos State Park, Jackson Gulch Reservoir (Montezuma County)

On April 16, 5,000 10″ rainbow trout were stocked in Jackson Gulch Reservoir. Fishing should be great for these newly stocked rainbow trout. Fishing has been good for 10-12″ rainbow trout and 6-7″ yellow perch as well as an occasional large brown trout. Nightcrawlers, earthworms, meal worms, and various powerbaits have been successful for both trout and perch. Small inline spinners or small wet flies have also worked well especially along the dam. Now that the snow is melting trout like to hang out around the inlet at the north end of the lake. Perch are small, averaging about 6-7″, but anglers should keep them if they’ll eat them, they make yummy fish tacos! There is no limit on the number of perch you keep; the daily limit for tr​​​out is 4. The lake level is now just at the bottom of the boat ramp. If you plan to take your boat out remember a pre-launch inspection for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) is required. Contact the park to arrange an inspection. A park pass is required when utilizing the park. Daily park passes are available at the self-serve pay post at the park entrance. For fishing rules/regulations and information, please visit the Fishing page.

​Navajo State Park (Archuleta County)

The catfish have been biting well, and there have been recent reports of northern pike caught as well. 2013-14 Colorado and New Mexico fishing licenses are still available at the Visitor Center. 2014-15 Colorado fishing licenses went on sale March 12 but cannot be used until April 1. Social security numbers are required for purchase. Please remember to bring sunscreen, insect repellent and clothes appropriate for changes in the weather.​

Ridgway State Park (Ouray County)

Ridgway was recently stocked with catchable trout. No conditions report this week from the park.

​Rio Grande River (Rio Grande County)

No report this week.

Taylor Reservoir (Gunnison County)

Frozen but ice conditions are not safe as April 20, 2014
Needle Creek – road closed.  Check with USFS Gunnison Ranger District by calling 970-641-0471. ​

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