Colorado Fishing Report – Tuesday, April 28 2014
VPG | Apr 29, 2014 | Comments 0

Two Buttes Reservoir 2013
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://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/rt
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)
4/22
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.
4/28
The water temperature remains perfect causing some great fishing. Also, the water level is where it should be. Good numbers of trout in the 12 to 14 inch range have been taken along with some larger ones. We have also had a good run on bass and walleye with a couple of walleye in the 8 to 11 pound range. Most bait seems to be working along with small silver jigs such as castmasters on the bass and walleye.
A reminder: The Arvada reservoir follows all of the Colorado State rules and regulations including catch limit and licensing.
The date for the “Kids Fishing Contest” has been set for June 7 this year. More on this later.
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 picking up. Walleye are doing well off lures. Please remember, Walleye bag limit is 3, 18 inches long, with one of those over 21 inches. Some Bass are being caught off worms. Bass bag limit is 5, 15 inches long. Trout are being caught off powerbait from all areas of the park. Trout bag limit is 4, any size.
Cherry Creek State Park (South of I-225, East of I-25 in Arapahoe County)
Currently, the water temperature is approximately 54 degrees.
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!
As a reminder : Boaters must stay at least 60ft from the front of the tower on Tower Loop. Both ramps open at 6 a.m.
HOT SPOTS:
Lake Loop: Walleye and trout have been caught using baited worms.
Lake Center: Trout has been caught using salmon eggs.
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)
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 lake is now ice free and will open to boating at one half hour before sunrise (5:40 AM) on Saturday, April 26th.
Trout (Fair to Good) – Spring action is heating up. Big fish are being caught and are still very active. Fly anglers are doing well with Woolly Buggers and nymphs. Bait anglers are seeing success with a Marshmallow and Night Crawler combo. Chartreuse Power Bait, Rainbow Garlic, Salmon Peach are consistent producers. Don’t forget the salmon eggs. (Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
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 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. Ice fishing allowed on all ponds. Conditions vary throughout the 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.
As of April 18, 2014:
Water temperature was 42-44 degrees
Walleye slow to fair, try dams and West shoreline, 12-15 feet deep, still prespawn so try stick baits, slow troll crawler harness.
Bass are starting to get a little more active and can be caught with suspending jerk baits with long pauses, also try tube baits and spoons in twenty foot for those that haven’t moved up yet.
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.
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)
Fishing at Jumbo has been slow for all species. A few walleye are being caught from boats with night crawlers, trout are being caught on the east side with power bait. The bass fishing is best along the rocks. The lake is full, and the boat dock is in. Jumbo requires an annual fishing or hunting license, or a state wildlife area permit. The SWA permit costs $36 per person. The minimum size for walleye is 15 inches.
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)
Fishing at Prewitt has been slow for all species. A few crappie are being caught by the inlet. The lake is full and requires an annual fishing or hunting license, or a state wildlife area permit. The SWA permit costs $36.00 per person. The minimum size for walleye is 15 inches. The boat dock will be open mid-May.
Spinney Mountain State Park (Park County)
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)
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
Staunton State Park
Davis Ponds are closed for construction. The trail remains open.
Conditions Report – Southeast Colorado
Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)
Both low water boat ramps are operational at Blue Lake. Fishing for Crappie is fair to good, both from shore and from a boat. Fishing for other species is slow to fair.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area /Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)
Unseasonably warm weather, low elevation snow in the north end of the valley, and an above average snowpack overall have conspired to create some unprecedented April flows on the Arkansas River. With more warm days forecast in the week ahead, we are taking the conditions one day at a time. With that said, tomorrow looks to present a higher flow than today.
For those who want to fish, the best mainstem opportunity is on the upper river in the morning and down toward Buena Vista in the afternoon. When we are dealing with snowmelt, there is a daily “bubble” (corresponding to peak melt the day before) and a daily divot (corresponding to minimum snowmelt the day before). At the flows we have now, the daily divot is in the area from Granite up through Hayden Meadows during the morning and moving down to BV in the later afternoon.
As far as hatches go, the blue wing olive (baetis) mayflies have been prolific until the recent surge in flows. We have had a few reports of caddis at the bottom of Bighorn Sheep Canyon but with the rising, cooling water I would expect that hatch to go into remission until the water rewarms. When fishing in compromised visibility, large nymphs fished along the bottom or into edgewater seams are generally the most effective. Streamers stripped through “dead” water – holding water with no current – can also be effective at this time.
Here’s an update from Greg at ArkAnglers:
4/22 “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.”
4/28 “The Arkansas River experienced some initial low elevation snowmelt last week but cooler weather has now shut that back down. The river has stabilized and cleared and now the flows will start to recede in earnest. Blue wing olive mayflies continue to hatch river-wide while the caddis activity remains focused in the lower Bighorn Sheep Canyon. A warm weekend ahead will help stimulate the caddis hatch.”
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.
Hayden Meadows Reservoir
Ice free, no fishermen.
Henry Lake (Crowley County)
Henry went dry last year and experienced a complete loss of fish. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be stocking Henry with Gizzard Shad, Channel Catfish, Crappie, and Saugeye and other species as they are available from hatcheries.
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)
Meredith Reservoir went dry last year and experienced a complete loss of fish. Colorado Parks and Wildlife will be stocking Meredith with Gizzard Shad, Channel Catfish, Crappie, Saugeye and other species as they are available from hatcheries.
Monument Lake
Fishing is slow. Windy conditions persist.
Mt. Elbert Forebay (Lake County)
No report this week.
Nee Gronda Reservoir (Kiowa County)
Prospect Lake
Fishing is slow to moderate with a few larger fish being caught.
Turquoise Reservoir (Lake County)
Still covered in potentially hazardous ice. No fishermen.
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)
Mostly ice covered with unsafe ice. Open water available to fish in channels at the dam and below the power plant. Also, most of the perimeter of the lake has open water. Fishing is slow.
Conditions Report – Northwest Colorado
Colorado River at Glenwood Springs (Garfield County)
Flow: 7790 CFS in Glenwood Springs
Crystal River
Flow: 620 CFS in Carbondale
Short and Sweet: It’s the beginning of runoff, we will check back with this river after a month or so. Update courtesy Scott Spooner of the Taylor Creek Fly Shop.
Delaney Buttes, Cowdrey and Lake John (Jackson County)
Here’s an update from Bill at Lake John Resort:
“Even though the weather has turned nippy, snowy and breezy, ice conditions on area lakes have been changing fast. Last Thursday, you couldn’t find enough open water on Lake John to barely float a small boat, now we’re over half unlocked and opening quick. At this rate, by the time most of you read my report, the ice may be completely gone.
The same is true over at the Delaneys. South and East Lake are already totally open, and even though we were ice fishing North just a week ago, it is now in the same shape as Lake John and currently over half open. Just remember that until the ice has completely melted, the fishing on North Delaney and Lake John is at the mercy of the wind, and where it blows the existing ice caps.
The road around the entire perimeter of Lake John is now open, along with all the access roads surrounding the Delaneys.
After anticipating winter problems at Cowdrey Lake, I have heard — but not confirmed — that fish were caught there this spring in open water. If anyone has information about Cowdrey, or would like to share any fish stories or pictures, please e-mail us at fish@lakejohnresort.com or visit us on Facebook.”
Elkhead Reservoir State Park (Moffat County)
The lake is murky with some floating debris. Fishing has slowed due to the muddy winter run-off. Some have reported catching pike this time of year at the reservoir.
Fryingpan River (Eagle County)
Flow: 296 CFS
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 4/18/14.
Rifle Falls State Park (Garfield County)
Rainbow and cutthroat trout are found in East Rifle Creek which flows through Rifle Falls. Fish up to 19 inches long have been taken, with 6-9 inch fish being the average size. Brown and Black flies or spinners work the best. Bait, except for live fish, can be used.
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)
Flow: 320 CFS in Aspen, 868 in Basalt, 1660 in Glenwood Springs
As with the Crystal, the primary stages of runoff are underway. The higher you head up the Fork, the less color you will see in the water, but some days even the upper will be very colored up for the forseeable future. Be prepared to see BWOs, caddis and midges on the days the clarity improves. The middle river (near Basalt) looked good this morning despite the high flows, just keep an eye on the overnight temperatures. On the cold nights, fishing is pretty good the next day. On warmer nights, the river will still contain a bit of color the next day. The Roaring Fork can be very, very good right now when conditions are optimal, and it can go the other way in a heartbeat as well. Just give us a call at Taylor Creek (970 927 4374) and we will let you know what is going on in real time. Update courtesy Scott Spooner of the Taylor Creek Fly Shop.
Stagecoach State Park (Routt County)
The reservoir is ice free! There is plenty of accessible shoreline for fishing around the reservoir. Several anglers have been reporting catching trout in the 14-18″ range, primarily in the morning. The responsible harvest of pike at Stagecoach is encouraged. The Tailwater is open but there may still be some construction in progress. Please remember that if the Tailwater parking lot is full, the river is full and anglers are encouraged to come back another time. The river is currently running a little over 200 cfs above and below the dam. Please visit the USGS website for current flows: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/usa/nwis/uv?site_no=09237500
State Forest State Park (Routt County)
4 fish in bag, 8 in possession at the lower lakes. Flies and lures only on the high alpine lakes, 2 fish in bag limit.
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)
Fair at the inlet. 98% ice covered ~15″ of layered soft ice. Small area of open water at inlet.
Vega State Park (Mesa County)
The lake is ice free and the water level is extremely high. There is 3 inches of snow on the ground. The boat ramps are scheduled to be in the water by Thursday, May 1st. All boats are required to have an inspection prior to launching. Anyone failing to receive an inspection will be given a citation. Anglers are catching fish with powerbait and worms. Some nice fish are being taken near the feeder canal in the 12 – 17 inch range. The Visitor Center is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and we do sell fishing licenses. The south road is closed from Early Settlers campground to the Cattleman’s Picnic area.
Wolford Mountain Reservoir
Ice went off Wolford April 20th. Fishing for rainbows along the shoreline has been excellent using rapala’s, castmasters, and small tube jigs. Water clarity on the north inlet is murky with the high runoff. Reservoir is expected to fill and spill this year with the high snowpack levels. The reservoir is currently 16 feet down. The boat ramp opens May 1st at 7am to 7pm seven days a week. Muddy Creek below the reservoir is currently running at 300 cfs. Good luck anglers.
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.
Crawford State Park (Delta County)
CPW fish biologists captured some pike to measure, weigh and tag. The fish caught were finished spawning. Now is the time to start catching them, as it is said that they should be more active at this point. Anglers have reported catching a few smaller pike, 10-12 inch crappie, and a few catfish.
Echo Canyon Reservoir (Archuleta County)
No report this week.
Gunnison Gorge, Gunnison River (Gunnison – Delta County)
The Gunnison is running around 463CFS and clear from Chukar Trail down to the Smith Fork creek. Flies to use are blue winged olives, caddis, streamers and San Juan worms. The smith fork is running muddy so from Smith Fork down to the confluence the river is muddy. The lower is currently running around 2283CFS and muddy due to the North Fork of the Gunnison being blown out. We recommend fishing in the gorge for a few days. Update courtesy of the Gunnison River Expeditions and North Rim Hunt Club.
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 trout 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.
Miramonte Reservoir
Boat access is still limited to hand propelled crafts as the water level has yet reach the boat ramp. There is a strong possibility that motor boats will not be able to launch anytime this summer. Fishing from the bank is good with all types of bait. Most fish being caught are in the 8″ to 10″ range.
Navajo State Park (Archuleta County)
No report this week.
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.
San Luis State Park
No water in the lake.
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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