Fishing Regulations
Review
C O L O R A D O P A R K S &
W I L D L I F E
Fishing Report
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
TUESDAY April 18
th
, 2017
News and Information
CPW Intercepts and Decontaminates Four Boats Infested With ANS
Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff performed full decontaminations on four boats infested with zebra or quagga mussels
between April 6 and 13. Each boat came into Colorado from another state and was intercepted at inspection stations.
Colorado Parks and Wildlife Seeks Volunteers in Pikes Peak Region
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has several upcoming projects in Fremont and Teller counties that will get you outside, in touch
with wildlife, and may even get your hands a bit dirty.
CPW Begins Implementing New Lake Management Plan for Rifle Gap Reservoir
To provide anglers with expanded opportunities for catching desirable sport fish, Colorado Parks and Wildlife is
implementing a new Lake Management Plan at Rifle Gap Reservoir.
CPW Staff and Volunteers Work to Ensure Summer Walleye Fishing
Colorado Parks and Wildlife staff alongside volunteers are putting in long hours over an intense four week period to ensure a
bumper crop of walleye and saugeye in state lakes and streams this summer.
Silt Water Conservancy District Requests CPW to close Harvey Gap Reservoir to Some Watercraft
At the request of Silt Water Conservancy District, Colorado Parks and Wildlife will immediately close Harvey Gap Reservoir
to any watercraft normally requiring an aquatic nuisance species inspection.
CPW Seeks Help of Anglers with a “Catchability” Study
Aquatic biologists have stocked Pastorius Reservoir with 800 of a new strain of rainbow trout as part of a special project to
determine how the fish respond to bait, lures, and flies.
2017 Fishing Regulations Brochure
Colorado Parks and Wildlife have released the 2017 Fishing Regulations brochure. You can find a copy online, at your local
CPW office, or at any license agent.
Now you can take the #ColoradoOutdoors anywhere. Follow us on @instagram @coparkswildlife!
http://instagram.com/coparkswildlife
Check out our CPW community on Facebook. Colorado anglers can "like" the CPW Facebook page to get tips, share
stories and more. If you love the outdoors, this is the place to be. Before you head out, head for
facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/.
Fish with us on Twitter
Colorado anglers can get updates directly from CPW on Twitter. Follow @COParksWildlife.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Stocking Report
Body of Water
Region
Report Date
Anticline Lake
Southeast
4/18/17
Beaver Creek Reservoir
Southwest
4/18/17
Bellaire Lake
Northeast
4/18/17
Boulder Kids Pond
Northeast
4/18/17
Catamount Reservoir North
Southeast
4/18/17
Catamount Reservoir South
Southeast
4/18/17
Corn Lake
Northwest
4/18/17
Crystal Creek Reservoir
Southeast
4/18/17
Dowdy Lake
Northeast
4/18/17
Fountain Lake
Southeast
4/18/17
Frantz Lake
Southeast
4/18/17
Hudson Town Pond
Northeast
4/18/17
Karval Reservoir
Southeast
4/18/17
Kinney Lake
Southeast
4/18/17
Kissel Pond
Southeast
4/18/17
KOA Lake – Boulder
Northeast
4/18/17
Manitou Reservoir
Southeast
4/18/17
Mann-Nyholt Lake South
Northeast
4/18/17
Minnequa Lake #1
Southeast
4/18/17
Mountain Home Reservoir
Southwest
4/18/17
North Platte River #B2
Northwest
4/18/17
Northgate Pond #1
Southeast
4/18/17
Northgate Pond #3
Southeast
4/18/17
Ordway Reservoir
Southeast
4/18/17
Rampart Reservoir
Southeast
4/18/17
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Body of Water
Region
Report Date
Rosemont Reservoir
Southeast
4/18/17
Runyon Lake
Southeast
4/18/17
Sands Lake
Southeast
4/18/17
Sloans Lake
Northeast
4/18/17
Smith Reservoir
Southwest
4/18/17
Stabilization Reservoir
Southwest
4/18/17
Thornton Gravel Lake #2
Northeast
4/18/17
Thornton Gravel Lake #3
Northeast
4/18/17
Viele Lake
Northeast
4/18/17
West Lake
Northeast
4/18/17
Wetherill Pond
Southwest
4/18/17
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report – Metro Area
Chatfield Reservoir
The current water temperature is about 55 degrees and the reservoir is full. Anglers have had success catching perch off
worms. The walleye and smallmouth bite is still going strong.
Chatfield State Park
Cherry Creek Reservoir
The reservoir is now open for boating. Fishing is off to a slow start.
Cherry Creek State Park
Quincy Reservoir
Anglers have had success catching smallmouth using jigs and swimbaits in the shallow flats. If you are using streamers, stick
to black or olive.
Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado
Cheesman Canyon
The current water temperature is about 43 degrees, with flows at 149 cfs. Focus efforts on the riffles, where they will be
feeding. Anglers have had success starting with an attractor followed by a beatis or midge pattern. Princes, Hare’s Ears,
and Pheasant Tails have all worked well.
Deckers
The current water temperature is roughly 44 degrees, with flows at 170 cfs at Trumbull. The BWO hatch has continued to
be strong, and the Caddis is starting to come in. Anglers have had success with Copper Johns, San Juans, RS2’s, and any
baetis pattern. Focus fishing efforts in the riffles and pockets.
Dream Stream
The current water temperature is about 43 degrees, with flows at 97 cfs. Focus efforts on the riffles and drop-offs. Anglers
have had success using RS2’s, Top Secrets, Parachute Adams, as well as beatis and midge patterns. Crowds have been
heavy, so get the water early.
Eleven Mile Reservoir
Trout fishing has been slow to fair. Boaters have had success either trolling or casting and retrieving jointed Rapala’s. Gold,
rainbow, and brown trout patterns have worked very well. Shore anglers have been having some difficulty. We still haven’t
seen the large groups of spawning trout in the shallows yet. Northern pike fishing has been slow to fair. The water
temperature is still a bit too low for the spawn.
Eleven Mile State Park
Eleven Mile Canyon
The current water temperature is about 44 degrees, with flows at 91 cfs. Fishing has been excellent so far this spring, and
with great fishing conditions comes big crowds. Anglers have had success all over the river using Juju Baetis, RS2’s, Caddis
patterns, and any midge pattern in red or black.
North Sterling Reservoir
The lake is roughly 58 degrees and full. Both the inlet and outlet are off. Walleye have been caught off the south ramp
parking lot and Balanced Rock. Crappie have come out in the marina and Elks Bay, as well as Balanced Rock. Catfish have
come out at the Inlet. Fish have primarily come out in the afternoon and early evening. Keep in mind that size and bag
limits apply to the outlet.
North Sterling State Park
Spinney Reservoir
The water temperature is about 38 degrees and the fishing has slowed down considerably since the ice-off. The best
chances are still near the dam and along the eastern shoreline. Anglers have had success using Woolly Buggers and egg
patterns.
Spinney Mountain State Park
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado
Arkansas River
Upper River: Flows have declined on the upper river, in part due to an effort to achieve the spring fishery flow
recommendations and in part due to cooler weather and a cessation of the daily melt cycle. Expect low flows supporting
the brown trout fry emergence and pre-runoff fish conditioning until the melt begins in earnest, typically around May 20
th
.
While the Salida area is probably the most productive stretch of the river currently, the upper basin is seeing some changes
with the warming weather. Nymphing slow, consistent pools and runs mid-day in the upper basin can be productive, with
fish moving into faster riffles to feed when nymphs are drifting, primarily in the afternoons. If you find one fish, you will
likely find several grouped together. Be thorough in your approach, and adjust your weight and depth often to locate fish.
Middle River: Spring fishing is now underway up through Browns Canyon and the Milk Run. Daily nymphal drifts of BWO’s, as
well as some good cloudy day hatches have energized the fish population and allowed them to disperse from winter water.
Also, look for morning caddis larval drifts. With the significant decrease in flows, crowing the river at Hecla is now
relatively easy and the wading through the Big Bend area is very accessible too. Cloudy weather later this week should
produce some excellent afternoon hatches. Be prepared by stocking up on BWO dry flies and emergers in the #16 to #20
range. Nymphing will still probably be your best bet throughout the day, but don’t limit your strategy to deep water;
shallow riffles can be productive in the afternoons once mayflies become more available.
Lower River: Flow are now within the prime range for spring, specifically for the brown trout population. Though the river
is still floatable, it is now very easily waded. The cloudy weather in the forecast should make for great fishing conditions.
We are seeing consistent BWO nymphs drifting daily, and duns on the water on cloudy afternoons. The recent warmth seems
to be motivating fish to move into shallower water as they feed; so don’t spend all your energy on the deep runs. There
they can be best tempted by striated midge patterns (black beauties, zebras, etc…), golden stonefly nymphs, mayfly
nymphs and emergers, and “meat & potatoes” patterns like pheasant tails, hares ears, and princes. Focus fishing efforts on
the periods of peak warmth from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Courtesy of ArkAnglers).
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Trinidad Lake
Fishing from the south shore has been good with anglers catching 16 to 20 inch trout around the lake using PowerBait and
worms. Reilly Canyon, where the river comes in, has been slow due to the muddy water from recent rains. Anglers have also
been catching a few walleye and catfish. Boaters have been catching mostly trout and walleye. Perch fishing is starting to
pick up, with anglers having success from both the shore and floating. Jigs tipped with worms have provided the most bites.
Trinidad Lake State Park
Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado
Blue River
The current water temperature is about 43 degrees, with flows at 98 cfs below the reservoir. Anglers have had success
using Mysis Shrimp patterns paired with black or red midges. Egg patterns have also been producing bites. The fish have
been very cautious lately, so make sure to use 5x or 6x flouro.
Colorado River (Lower)
The current water temperature is about 42 degrees, with flows at 3200 cfs at Glenwood Springs. Anglers have had success
using Twenty Inchers and Princes in the #10 to #12 range, red and black zebra midges in the #18 to #20 range, and San
Juans and egg patterns in the #18 to #20 range. Anglers have also had success using black and brown streamers with a
sinking leader. Try sticking to the drop offs and deeper pools, then to the shallower riffles as it warms up.
Delaney Buttes / Lake John
For updated fishing reports please contact the Lake John Resort at 970-723-3326, or the North Park Chamber of Commerce
at 970-723-4600.
Be advised: Special regulations exist for fishing this property, so anglers should consult their 2017 Fishing Regulations
brochure.
Fryingpan River
The current water temperature is roughly 40 degrees, with flows at 150 cfs at Basalt. Anglers have had success using Mysis
Shrimp patterns paired with black or red midges.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Roaring Fork
The current water temperature is about 40 degrees, with flows at 1090 cfs at Glenwood Springs. Anglers have had success
using Golden Stoneflies or Twenty Inchers in the #10 to #12 range, followed by a smaller purple Juju Beatis. As always,
Pheasant Tails have also been producing bites. As the weather continues to warm up, expect strong BWO and Caddis
hatches.
Stagecoach Reservoir
The lake is now ice free and the rainbow spawn is on. Anglers have had success at the Inlet/Lot 14/Lot 16 area, Keystone
Cove, and Morrison Cove using PowerBait, nightcrawlers, spoons, jigs, and crankbaits.
Stagecoach State Park
Vega Reservoir
The Island boat ramp is now open and the gravel pit area is now open for shore fishing. There is a considerable amount of
water flowing into the lake at Plateau creek, the inlets, and the feeder canal. Fishing has been very good with reports of
some nice rainbows in the 18 to 22 inch range being caught using PowerBait and worms.
Vega State Park
Yampa
The current water temperature is about 39 degrees, with flows at 42 cfs below Stagecoach. Barr’s Emergers, RS2’s, and
Juju Baetis have all worked well for anglers this past week. For now, the tailwater below Stagecoach is your best fishing,
the Steamboat stretch still has high flows and is off-color.
Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado
Blue Mesa Reservoir
The Elk Creek and Lake Fork boat ramps are now open. The current water temperature is about 44 degrees. Anglers have
had success catching kokanee between Lake Fork and Soap Creek.
San Juan River
The current water temperature is about 44 degrees with flows at around 1700 cfs at Pagosa Springs. The fish have been
feeding on midge larva and emergers. We are starting to see a solid beatis hatch coming in the afternoons. Anglers have
had success using RS2’s, Juju Baetis, and Woolly Buggers.
Conditions Report – Statewide
Rivers and Creeks
As we head into the spring season, anglers can expect to be fighting the crowds for a spot on the river. Rainbow, cutthroats
and cutbow trout are all into their spawn, so be cautious of redds while wading on the rivers and creeks. Redds are easily
distinguishable with their lighter color, ranging anywhere from 2 to 5 diameters in size. As the temperatures continue to
rise, anglers can anticipate the BWO hatches to start coming in stronger. For patterns, try sticking to BWO’s, Stoneflies,
Caddis, Juju Beatis, RS2’s, Parachute Adams, and Pheasant Tails. Anglers should look for ideal times to be from 10 a.m. to 4
p.m.
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DNR Fish Reporter
