Conditions Report - Metro Denver Area
Cherry Creek State Park
Water temperature is at about 72 degrees. Walleye ranging from 15''-22'' have been reported at West Boat Ramp and near West Shades, caught using worms. Rainbow Trout have been caught also using worms. There is an algae bloom in the reservoir, so please pay extra attention when cleaning and gutting your catches. For additional information on the bloom, please visit our webpage at http://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/Parks/cherrycreek.
As always, a Park's Pass is required when entering the Park. $9/daily or $73/annually. Good luck!
Standley Lake
Open for day boating and permit holders. The current lake temperature is approximately71 degrees. 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 (including the 35-day quarantine for all trailered vessels). Call for more details. A $7 fee is charged for all drive-in traffic, $15 for day boating. 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.
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Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado
Chatfield
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.
Eleven Mile State Park
Trout (Good): The hatch is just about over and the fish are continuing to stuff themselves. The bite has been intense at times with double and triple hook ups on the troll. Although many fish are in the 12 to 13 inch range it is a numbers game and you can catch the bigger ones if you keep at it. Needlefish, Kastmasters and Dick Nites have been the best. Colors sometimes change daily. Lead core line and/or down rigger are extremely helpful. The West has been the best. Early or late the trout are biting strong. KOKANEE (Slow): Kokanee are being caught but it comes and goes in spurts. North Shore to Deer Island on the troll down 25 to 35 feet. Tasmanian Devils, Dick Nites and Arnies Dynamic and Reflecto's work well. The bite has been mid morning for now. NORTHERN PIKE (Fair): 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. DREAM STREAM (Fair): Red Nyphms and Cooperhead Midges have been the most succussful flies on the stream this week. (Courtesy of 11 Mile Marina)
Golden Gate Canyon
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. Kriley and Slough Ponds were stocked with rainbow trout at the end of May, 2014. Forgotten Valley and Dude's Fishing Hole were stocked with brown trout at the beginning of June, 2014. 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 (Larimer County)
Water temperature was 69-72 degrees, and the level has leveled out at 100% full. Walleye fair, try West shoreline, 18 feet deep, hitting grubs and tube jigs, and worm harness and shad raps in shad colors. Still best fishing evenings and early night. Bass good to excellent; mostly smaller fish up close to bank. Lots of bass found in the coves and should be close to bank under trees or between trees and bank. Very slow presentation on tubes works, as well as craw colored crank baits, and senko type worms, too! Look for males guarding fry in 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, and also crawfish crank baits.
Lory State Park (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.
Spinney Mountain State Park
SPINNEY RESERVOIR (Fair): 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. DREAM STREAM: Red Nymphs and Copperhead Midges have been the most successful flies on the stream.
St. Vrain State Park
The heat of summer is affecting the fishery here at the park. With most ponds having average depths of 10 feet the water bodies heat up quickly and hold that heat. In addition to warm water, a few of our ponds have low visibility making it hard for visual predators like bass and trout to even see lures. Catfish have been a consistent bite through the heat of the day. The most productive ponds have been Pelican and Bald Eagle. Bald Eagle Pond- Artificial Flies and Lures only NO BAIT, scented flies and lures must be 1.5 inches or longer. Catch and release for Small Mouth and Large Mouth bass. Bass is the primary target species; successful anglers are using baitfish imitation soft lures with some flash and crank baits. Bass fishing is starting to pick up now that the days are getting warmer and was approaching spawning period.
Arkansas River (Fremont County)
The Arkansas River flow is consistent with the average for this date and water clarity is not an issue. Yellow sally stoneflies and pale morning dun mayflies have been prolific in Browns and Bighorn Sheep Canyons and our ‘4th of July caddis’ will begin their annual emergence any day. Also eminent is the resumption of the brachycentrus caddis hatch on the upper river. With elevated flows, anglers should consider the water from the perspective of a brown trout – where can a fish hold that provides a steady stream of food without much exertion on the part of the fish? Shoreline pockets, inside corners, the riverbed beneath slow lanes...fish have gravitated to these spots to maximize their calorie intake while minimizing their struggle with the current. Dry-dry or dry-dropper along the edges. Stonefly and a small attractor or pmd/yellow sally nymph down deep. The fishing will only get better (and easier) as flows recede in the weeks ahead!
Blue Lake
Fishing for catfish from shore is fair using a variety of baits. Fishing for other species is slow. Both low water boat ramps are usable at Blue Lake.
Clear Creek Reservoir (Lake County)
Fishing from a boat has been good, while shore fishing has been fair. Shore anglers fishing early in the morning at the upper part of the lake were more likely to obtain a four trout limit. No one reported obtaining a four trout limit from the boat ramp parking area. Shore anglers caught trout on green PowerBait at the southern part of the reservoir (directly opposite of the boat ramp parking lot shoreline). The southern part of the reservoir can be accessed by a trail located near the pond off of HWY 24. At the first parking area above the boat ramp parking lot, the trout went for corn or yellow and orange PowerBait. Silver Kastmasters, PowerBait, and worms worked well at the upper part of the reservoir. The most effective fly remains the Woolly Bugger. Fly fishing has been the most productive at the upper part of the reservoir. Most of the shore anglers catches comprised of 8 to 13 inch rainbow trout and cutbows. Trolling the southern part of the reservoir with gold/red Thomas Buoyant (1/4 oz), red/chrome Krocodile (size 3), rainbow colored jointed Rapala and rainbow colored Blue Fox spinners (size 2) has been productive. Anglers fishing from a boat enjoyed the best kokanee salmon fishing of the year so far. Boat anglers reported that kokanee salmon went for either orange/gold Krocodile (size 4) or green squids at depths of 15- 25 feet. Most of the boat anglers catches comprised of 8 to 13 inch rainbow trout, kokanee salmon and cutbows. 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. Midday water surface temperatures were in the high 50’s F°.
John Martin Reservoir
The reservoir and stilling basin below John Martin Dam are providing some Catfish at night on minnows, worms, and stink bait. Walleye, White Bass/Wiper, Drum, and Carp have been slow, but have been caught on bright jigs, minnows, and crank bait. There are some trout stocked in Lake Hasty as well. Please be mindful of all regulations concerning size and creel limits. Good Luck!
Lake Henry
As a reminder Lake Henry went dry last year; as a result there was a complete loss of the fishery there. Lake Henry is full or water this year. Crowley County replaced the boat ramp at Lake Henry and built a new pier there.
Lake Pueblo
Lathrop State Park
San Juan River (Pagosa)
Trinidad Lake State Park
Lake Meredith
As a reminder Lake Merideth went dry last year; as a result there was a complete loss of the fishery. Lake Meridith is full of water this year. The boat ramp at Lake Meridith is usable.
Lake Pueblo
The weather is heating up and the fishing is following suit here at Lake Pueblo. Most areas of the park are fishing well and productive days fishing for just about all species are happening. The coves are fishing well on the lake and we are seeing many bass and carp being caught. The depths of the lake are producing some nice walleye and wiper from both shore and and boats. Anticline Ponds and Valco Ponds are still a go to destination for all anglers alike due to the wide variety of species. 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!
Lathrop State Park
The fishing has been great recently. A consistent catch of stocked trout, as well as stocked saugeyes on Horseshoe, and a recent catfish bit along the dam of Horseshoe, and the southside of Martin. Stop by the visitor center to let staff know how the fishing is or to show off an impressive catch!
San Juan River (Pagosa)
River levels have dropped to very fishable levels. The town of Pagosa Springs stocks the waters through town with larger (10-16 inch) rainbow trout throughout the summer.
Timber Lake
Dry.
Trinidad Lake State Park
The lake is at 522 surface acres and the water temperature is in the mid 65 degrees. Trout fishing is still slow. Walleye fishing has been good. Walleye have been biting from boat on bright green jigs. Some shoreline anglers are catching walleye with nightcrawlers. Boaters also reported catching smallmouth bass over the weekend. Catfish have been biting on chicken liver and night crawlers.
Vallecito Reservoir
Spring fish surveys suggest a good population of rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Northern pike were abundant as well as walleye. As the water temperatures warm, smallmouth bass fishing can be very good off the dam with some quality sized fish captured every year.
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Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado
Elkhead Reservoir
The lake is beginning to clear with a visibility of two feet. Fishing is beginning to pick up; Anglers are reporting catching small mouth bass, pike and crappie.
Lower Roaring Fork (Carbondale to Glenwood)
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 with evening lightning rounds easily ranking at a 9.5 out of 10! Conditions are ideal but are still amazingly improving daily as the water continues to drop and the fish become more concentrated. FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: GREEN DRAKE ALERT!!! And don't forget about the piles of caddis hatching in the evening, the PMDs hatching midday and the random lingering stoneflies. THE SHORT AND SWEET: Pack up your fishing gear and get your butt out on the river! The green drake hatch starts and moves quickly upriver, thus if you want in on the action, do so NOW! Like the other sections of water along the Roaring Fork, nymph the fast water with larger flies and the soft water with smaller flies. As the water continues to fall, look for the fish to make the transition from holding along the edges eating big flies (stoneflies, drakes etc), to holding more midriver and eating smaller flies (PMDs, caddis etc).
Middle Roaring Fork
OVERALL RATING: 7 out of 10 in general but again, the evening "lightning-round" or "power-hour" is an easy 8.5 out of 10. FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Stoneflies, Caddis, Worms, PMDs and Drake nymphs THE SHORT AND SWEET: We are back in business on the Roaring Fork. The water is still high and just a tad swift, but visibility is perfect and the levels are dropping daily. All of the fish are still on the edges and side channels, and where you find one, you'll find many right now.
Pearl Lake
Lake is fishing pretty good, but slowing down from previous weeks. Float tube fisherman seem to be doing well.
Stagecoach State Park
Due to the triathlon on Sunday, June 29th, both lot 16 and the wetland parking area will be closed and parking will be limited. Tailwater access will be slow from the Stagecoach entrance due to the runners along CR18. Bottom fishing from the shoreline, especially around the inlet, and in the coves, is still doing well with anglers reporting trout in the 14"-18" range and a few in the 20"-22" range. Blue & Red Powerbait, worms, and kastmasters are working well from the shoreline while rapalas, spoons, spinners, and pop gear lures are being used for trolling. The responsible harvest of pike at Stagecoach is encouraged. The Tailwater Area 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. Anglers are encouraged to come back another time. Tailwater flows are at 100cfs, please visit the USGS website for current flows: http://waterdata.usgs.gov/co/nwis/uv?site_no=09237500.
Steamboat Lake
Reports have been very positive all over the lake with various baits and lures. Anglers are 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. Overall things have slowed down from previous weeks. Boat fishermen seem to be doing well.
Sylvan Lake
Good with worms or powerbait off the bottom and a variety of flies and lures. Try pink and white Tasmanian Devils or small drab colored flies. Still seeing a mix of rainbows, cutthroat and brookies.
Upper Roaring Fork (Aspen downstream to Basalt)
OVERALL RATING: 6 out of 10 though some local anglers would argue that it's rating at least an 8 out of 10. If you know the river well and enjoy pocket water fishing, this upper section of river is right up your alley.THE SHORT AND SWEET: Bye, bye runoff. It's summer time and the fishing and water conditions are much, much improved now. In general, look for the fish to be stacked up in the softer water eating general attractor patterns. Hatches are consisting of predominately caddis, BWOs and midges. Stoneflies, PMD and green drake nymphs are also fishing well. And of course, don't count out the San Juan Worm either. Look for the fishing to go from 0-100 in no time flat! Right now it feels like the calm before the storm, where the locals and fish-bums are taking advantage of the conditions before the crowds of summer roll in in the coming weeks. Fish the softer pockets and seams and you'll get em! FOOD SOURCES PRESENT: Caddis, BWOs,Midges, Stoneflies, PMD and Drake nymphs
Yampa River
The river flows are reaching more seasonable levels and clarity is improving daily. Fishing is beginning to pick up. Pike are reported being caught out of the river and there are reports of browns being caught in the Steamboat Springs area.
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Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado
Animas River
Flows are dropping and rapidly approaching 1000 cfs resulting in clear water conditions. The caddis flies are hatching in droves. Most recent reports suggest using streamers for the best success but caddis patterns should work well too.
Blue Mesa
Water levels have stabilized this week, holding the lake level at about 20 feet below the high water line. Warming weather and stable water levels have helped revitalize the salmon fishing. All across the lake, salmon are being caught in the early morning hours from the surface down to 25 feet. Orange, pink and purple have been the typical lure color choices trailed behind a dodger or small cowbells and tipped with white corn. Wind and heavy cloud cover will typically hurt the salmon fishing, but help the trout fishing. Rainbow trout are being caught right along with the salmon as well as near inlet areas of the lake. Typical salmon lures have been working to catch them as well as bait fishing near the bottom. Brown trout are also fishing well, jigging along rocky points with tube jigs or marabou jigs from 20-40 feet. Trolling is also working well, using spoons or Rapala type lures in the same depth range. Yellow perch are being caught in good numbers now. Look for them in brushy or timbered areas such as the mouth of Cebolla creek or Soap creek. Use small feather jigs or road-runners tipped with a piece of crawler.
Echo Canyon Reservoir (Pagosa)
Pan fishing for green sunfish is excellent. The largemouth bass are approaching post spawning periods and can be found either sitting on nest or lurking along the weedbed edges.
Mancos
Fishing should be great for newly stocked rainbow trout. Fishing has also 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 thenumber of perch you keep; the daily limit for trout is 4. The lake level is now rising up onto 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.
McPhee Reservoir
Early June fish surveys resulted in above average catches of quality sized smallmouth bass. Walleye abundance remains relatively high compared to other area reservoirs. The lake level is about 25 to 30 feet below normal and descending. Watch for lake obstacles as water levels fall.
Miramonte Lake
Fishing is fair. Boat ramp is not open. Hand launched boats may be used.