Fishing Report - Colorado Parks and Wildlife

C O L O R A D O
P A R K S
&
W I L D L I F E
Fishing Regulations
Fishing Report
TUESDAY, February, 24, 2015
Information for Anglers
Review
Ice Fishing Tips: 4 Red-Hot Tactics to Help You Catch Fish All Winter Long
Flash some football fields
This calls for drilling a few holes in an area the size of a football field and searching. If you don’t find fish, you move to the
next football field–size area and repeat.
Feel for Stickies
The bottom composition of a “sticky” area is not too hard, not too soft—just right for burrowing insects, which attract
forage and other fish. Look on lake depth charts for areas where contour lines are relatively far apart in the mid-depths of
15 to 30 feet.
Find a Depression
Depressions in large bays are also consistent winter hotspots overlooked by most ice fishermen. These 1- to 4-foot-deep
holes vary in size from one-car garage up to several football fields across.
Pound a Jig
The key is to rapidly yet subtly vibrate your wrist so that your wrist moves no more than 1⁄8 inch, causing the jig to vibrate.
Your jig will appear to have the action of a bucking bronco, with the hook end kicking higher than the head. The full Field
and Stream article is available online:
http://www.fieldandstream.com/articles/fishing/2014/02/red-hot-ice-fishing-tactics?6L7jFMXZCME4jw4y.03
CPW adjusts bag limit at Antero
Due to Denver Water’s need to drain Antero Reservoir in the summer of 2015, Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) is
adjusting the bag and possession limit to allow anglers the chance of harvesting additional fish prior the reservoir going dry.
The following emergency salvage regulations apply only to Antero Reservoir, located in Park County:
--A valid Colorado fishing license is required in accordance with state statutes, --All currently legal fishing methods at
Antero Reservoir will continue to be allowed. No snagging of fish will be allowed, --The bag and possession limit during the
public salvage is eight trout with no size restrictions, --Notification of the salvage opening and closing will be made through
news releases and informational signs posted at strategic locations at Antero Reservoir., --Public salvage began Saturday,
Jan. 10, with operations to cease upon closure of the reservoir to public access by Denver Water.
Rent an ice fishing kit for free at Stagecoach State Park
Stagecoach State Park is offering the free rental of ice fishing kits to anyone that wants to see what the fuss is all about.
"Like many other outdoor activities, you want to be sure you have the right gear," said Park Manager Craig Preston. "This is
a great deal for anyone that may have thought about ice fishing but is not sure about investing in all of the proper
equipment just yet." Made possible with a grant through the Foundation for Colorado State Parks, the kits include the basic
equipment necessary to get started, including two rods designed for ice fishing, tackle, an ice scoop and an ice auger upon
request.
Now you can take the #ColoradoOutdoors anywhere. Follow us on @instagram @coparkswildlife!
http://instagram.com/coparkswildlife
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.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Colorado Ice Fishing Tournaments
Reminder: All tournaments require a valid Colorado Fishing License.
Feb. 28 3rd Annual Gunnison Ice Fishing Tournament at Elk Creek boat ramp, call Ryan Johnson at 970-209-6495 for more
information.
Mar. 7 Eleven Mile- Round three of the Colorado Classic is more laid back and a great tournament for someone who has
never fished a tournament before as the day is broken into three different fishing periods and also has a free-throw
competition on the ice! Details and rules here: Colorado Classic Ice Fishing Tournament
Mar. 7-8 Grand Lake- the fourth annual "Catch & Release" tournament on Grand Lake hosted by Rocky Mountain Outfitters.
Stay tuned for details Grand Lake Catch & Release Tournament.
Mar. 8 Hahn’s Peak Roadhouse Ice Fishing Derby, Hahn's Peak Roadhouse 4th Annual Ice Fishing Derby on Sunday March
8th, on Steamboat Lake. Kids 17 and under are free!!!18 and up is a $30,00 entry fee.....Derby ends at 3pm and
the awards ceremony will follow at the HPRH. Call us! 970-879-4404
Mar. 8 - Blue Mesa- Sport Fish Colorado and Weekend Warrior Outdoors are teaming up for the first time to put on the 4th
annual Blue Mesa Ice Fishing Tournament at Iola Boat Ramp!. The longest Rainbow or Brown Trout will pay out to
first, second, and third, and the longest lake trout under 24" will also pay out!. Start time is 8:00. Contact
Weekend Warrior Outdoors for more details (970) 209-6495 or Sport Fish Colorado (719) 649-3378.
See updates to this listing at http://icefishcolorado.com/Colorado_Ice_Fishing_Tournaments and
http://www.icefishingcolorado.com/tournaments.htm
Stocking Report
The following waters were recently stocked with catchable (approximately 10") trout:
Northgate Pond
Southeast Region
2/24/2015
Shalberg Pond
Southeast Region
2/24/2015
Midwestern Farms Pond
Southeast Region
2/24/2015
St. Vrain State Park Ponds
Northeast Region
2/23/2015
Willow Springs Pond #2
Southeast Region
2/23/2015
Ordway Reservoir
Southeast Region
2/23/2015
Hasty Lake
Southeast Region
2/23/2015
Jacksons Pond
Southeast Region
2/23/2015
Willow Springs Pond #1
Southeast Region
2/23/2015
Quail Lake
Southeast Region
2/23/2015
Conditions Report – Metro Area
Quincy Reservoir
Closed for the season, for more information call 303-326-8430.
Cherry Creek
There is very little ice remaining on the lake. It will open March 1, 2015 if ice conditions permit. There is very little ice
remaining on the lake. It will open March 1, 2015 if ice conditions permit.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado
Elevenmile Reservoir
Currently, trout in the 17 – 22 inch class are being caught regularly, with a lot of 10-12 fish to be had. Ice fishing is picking
up with action near Cross Creek, Suckers Cove, Lazy Boy, Rocking Chair, Rogers Mountain and Northshore. Some large fish
are starting to show up in the shallow water. Powerbait, wax worms, night crawlers, Kastmasters, and small multi colored
jigs are working well. Pink, Green, and White seem to be the favorite. Kokanee fishing is picking up. Work the islands and
don’t be afraid to move around. People have been using Swedish Pimples, Kastmasters, and Krocodiles. Stoll Mountain,
Cross Creek, and North Shore seeing some action with people large spoons, stick baits, and the Rapala F-18's, J-13's for
suckers. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact Elevenmile State Park (719-748-3401).
Jackson Reservoir
As of 02/13/2015, the lake is over half open with water. Ice is very thin on south side. Lake level is at winter fill
level. Surface water temperature is approximately 33 degrees. Fishing is fair for all species. Ice thickness is very thin
where it remains. The lake is over half open.
South Platte River
The best fishing is between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Anglers willing to endure the elements and work hard will fool a few nice
fish. The most popular patterns are a #20-24 Top Secret Midge, #24 Medallion Midges, #20-22 Chironoflash, 20-22 Mercury
Blood Midge, #20-22 Minute Midge, #20-22 Jujubaetis.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir
Closed for the Season.
Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado
Arkansas Headwaters
The winter fishing on the Arkansas River in Bighorn Sheep Canyon has been excellent, thanks to unseasonably warm weather
through most of January and February. And though 2/19 finds us headed into a cooling trend, the prolonged warmth has had
a pronounced impact on the fish and the aquatic entomology, driving fish metabolisms and bug maturation in a way that is
unlikely to reverse itself. And though we don’t anticipate strong surface activity until mid- to late March, subsurface
feeding on midges, small mayfly nymphs, and caddis larvae has been very consistent. Leading imitations of these bugs with
a stonefly or attractor nymph has been the predominant approach, though success is also strongly correlated with fishing
the right water and presenting at sufficient depth. With the longer days and higher angle of the sun, we are moving into the
period of early spring when fish become less impacted by water temperature and more likely to disperse from winter water
and into those lanes of half speed current with significant bottom structure. This is true in the Big Bend area above Salida
and above Browns Canyon, in addition to the 40 miles of Bighorn Sheep Canyon between Salida and Canon City.
Clear Creek Reservoir
This 400 acre reservoir is located between Buena Vista and Leadville and is a consistently good ice fishing lake. It is
completely frozen over at this time with 16 plus inches of ice. Fishing activity has been concentrated near the boat ramp
and fishing for rainbow trout has been good using mealworms and power bait. Kokanee catch has been fair using attractors
and jigs. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the CPW Salida Area Office (719-530-5520).
Staunton
The Davis Ponds have been refilled with water and now we are awaiting restocking them with fish. The ponds are currently
iced over. Elk Falls Pond is iced over. Please use caution as ice conditions may vary.
Trinidad Lake
The lake is at 621 surface acres. Trout fishing was a bit slow this past week. The trout that are being caught are biting on
power bait and homemade dough bait. We also had some trout caught on kastmaster lures.
The lake was stocked on 2-3-15 with catchable rainbow trout.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado
Elkhead
Fishing seems to be picking up at Elkhead. Anglers are reporting catching pike and crappie. Ice varies on the lake and
there are more gray spots showing everyday. As always use extreme caution when on the ice.
Harvey Gap Reservoir
Fishing has slowed and little activity has been reported. The ice is around 4 inches thick with areas of thinner ice existing.
There is open water at the inlet, around the edges and at the north end. Always use caution when fishing on the ice and be
sure to fish with a buddy. Ice thicknesses vary across the reservoir as a whole, and can vary significantly even a few yards
away. Ice rescue stations are located at popular areas around the lake, but nothing can provide for your safety like taking
proper precautions and planning and preparing for the unexpected. Recommended items to bring along are ice awls, a life
jacket, rope and a fishing buddy.
Highline Lake/Mack Mesa
Both Mack Mesa Lake and Highline Lake have open water, and today is a great day to go bank fishing!
Mack Mesa was stocked last week with 1,000 rainbows, and they are biting. Both Highline Lake and Mack Mesa Lake were
stocked with 2,400 trout last fall. We have nightcrawlers for sale in the Visitor Center again. They are fresh, wriggly and
ready to entice those rainbows! A recent Mack Mesa fisherman caught a 6 lbcatfish and filled his limit and then caught-andreleased nice-sized rainbows all afternoon. What a great way to spend the day! If you catch a fish and would like your
photo posted on our Big Fish Board, just stop by the Visitor Center or track down a Ranger, and we'll take your photo and
post it! Stop by the Visitor Center and take a look at what others have caught. We have a huge variety of Power Bait in the
Visitor Center, and now we have fresh nightcrawlers for $3 for a bucket of 18. You can purchase your 2015
fishing licenses on your way to the lakes, beginning March 11, 2015. You can also purchase 1 to 3 day fishing licenses for
2014. Just stop by the Visitor Center! Highline Lake is still closed to boating for the season, but it looks like March 1 will be
the opening date! Mack Mesa is open for boating with hand-powered or electric motors ONLY.
Lathrop
Boats Ramp Closed to boating until March 15. The lakes will be closed to all trailered boats, and only open for hand
launching. Fishing is doing really well around the Martin Inlet, and the West Beach area. Angler's are pulling in trout, no
reports of Northern Pike as of yet but it should be picking up soon. Stop by the visitor center to let staff know how the
fishing is, or to show off an impressive catch!
Lower Fryingpan
The water conditions are clear but cold. Better conditions are to be found upstream and the main source of food is midges.
The overall rating is 3 out of 10. As fall winds down and winter settles in, the lower Frying pan begins to taper off. The
better fishing is certainly up higher.
Lower Roaring Fork (Carbondale to Glenwood)
The water flow is at 463 cfs in Glenwood Springs. The water is clear with lower water conditions. The overall rating is 7 out
of 10. The food sources present are Midges, Stoneflies, Huevos, and Baetis nymphs. This is perfect conditions with great
clarity. If anything, flows are on the high-side for this time of year due to the wet weather we had in August and
September. Floating anglers in particular should focus on fishing the deeper slots, seams and pools as the fish are no longer
holding tight up against the banks. Ditch the streamers and dries for now, as it's all about nymphing in general. Shallow and
heavy nymph rigs fished in medium depths at a light/moderate river speed are best under the clouds. This is where
stoneflies and attractor patterns shine! During bright, sunny days the opposite holds true; fish the depths with a longer and
heavier nymph rig consisting of the more subtle, egg and midge combinations. Wading anglers should hit the following
areas: Gianettis, Satank, Burry's, Airport, 3Mile, Veltus, and 7th Street.
Middle Fryingpan
The water clarity is clear and the main food sources seem to still be Midges and Psuedos. The overall rating is 5 out of 10.
It's colder down here and doesn't receive as much sunshine as the upper river. Because of that, fishing pressure is also
lighter. Hardcore types will do well if you're layered-up. Expect to do a little post-holing. Pay attention to riseforms to
determine which bug, and more importantly, which stage of the life cycle (emergers, adults) the fish are most keyed in to.
When you are seeing the backs of the fish, think emergers underneath the surface film. When there are noses poking
through the surface, think adults. If solitude is what you're after, fish away from the dam.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Middle Roaring Fork (Basalt downstream to Carbondale)
The water flow is sitting at 292 cfs in Basalt the water conditions are clear and ideal for this time of year. Ideally, the best
fishing days always follow the warmest overnight temps. Ice and slush can be present on bitter cold days when temps fall
into the low teens and below. The overall rating is 6 out of 10. The food sources present are Midges, Stoneflies, and
Huevos. Sick of fishing tailwaters for lethargic fish? This is one of the few freestone rivers in the Rockies that fishes right on
through the winter! Truth be told, this is the best (most consistant) winter fishing on the entire Roaring Fork due in large
part to the warm water of the Fryingpan spilling into the river. There's no need to get out there at the crack of dawn, as
the best fishing has been during the afternoons and evenings. The rainbows are still focusing on eggs for the most part, but
as get deeper into December you can't rely on the egg as much as you did in October and November. Stoneflies (both large
and small) really start to fish well this month as the brown trout spawn comes to a close and we're still prior to the heavy
midge hatches of late winter.
Upper Fryingpan
The water flow is 126cfs with a water clarity that is clear and low (ideal winter flows). The overall rating is 7 out of 10.
Hatches are consisting of primarily midges. Best dry fly activity has been midday, anywhere from 10:30am - 3pm. The
streamer bite has been fairly decent and obviously the nymph fishing is solid all day long. The Fryingpan is a true pleasure
to fish in the winter, and December offers up fine midge hatches, light crowds, and big fish. Nymphing is the name of the
game until later in the afternoon, but you should always be prepared for anything! Streamer fishing can be quite productive
on the Fryingpan in November barring the temps. On truly cold days, you'll still be better off to nymph fish, as your fly line
will freeze up your rod guides stripping streamers or dries. Carry a palate of colors in black, white and rust. Cover a lot of
water while throwing these big bites, and vary your retrieve until you find that magic combination!
Upper Roaring Fork (Aspen downstream to Basalt)
The water flow is 126 cfs below Maroon Creek (Woody Creek Canyon) the clarity of the water is clear and low with variable
ice/shush conditions. The overall rating is 6 out of 10. It's time to be on the upper Roaring Fork! Rainbows have the feed
bag on and the majority of the browns are now post spawn. Fishing pressure is low up here despite the hot afternoon and
evening fishing. The food sources present are Midges, Huevos, and Stoneflies. Midges and stoneflies are accounting for the
majority of fish caught in the morning hours, with eggs leading the charge during the afternoons and evenings. The fish are
back to holding in any of the deeper pools, pockets and seams. In a sense, this makes finding the fish fairly easy.
Rifle Gap Reservoir
The ice varies from 5 to 10 inches throughout the lake. There is open water around the edges and open water at the east
inlet. The open water along the shores increases in the afternoons. Always use caution when fishing on the ice and be sure
to fish with a buddy. Ice fishing on the lake can be tricky here at Rifle Gap. Ice thicknesses vary across the reservoir as a
whole, and can vary significantly even a few yards away. Ice rescue stations are located at popular areas around the lake,
but nothing can provide for your safety like taking proper precautions and planning and preparing for the unexpected.
Recommended items to bring along are ice awls, a life jacket, rope and a fishing buddy. Fishing has started to slow, with
the west end producing better than the east end. Trout have been active throughout the lake.
Rifle Falls
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.
Stagecoach
Fishing is picking up and we are seeing some fat 16"-17" Rainbows being pulled through the ice. Chartreuse jigs and
blue/silver Kastmasters seem to be hitting best. The inlet and Keystone Day Use Area are bringing in the majority of the
fish, while Morrison Cove and the marina have been slow. See the Ice Conditions section for updated ice info. The
responsible harvest of pike at Stagecoach is encouraged. County Road 18 to the Tailwater is closed through March. Anglers
wishing to fish the Tailwater can park in the designated area next to the Entrance Station and walk, ski or bike down.
Minimum ice thickness is 14" across the reservoir. The inlet has approximately 20" of ice. The ice thickness varies across
the reservoir. There is 6-8" of crusted snow on top. As always, use caution at all times when ice fishing. For additional
updates along with the latest ice report look us up on Facebook. For current flows please visit the USGS website.
Yampa River
There is quite a bit of open water on the river and some anglers are reporting catching browns and a few pike out of the
Yampa. Use extreme caution when around the river ice.
Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Blue Mesa
Blue Mesa remains about 60% ice, 40% open water. Ice fishing is good for trout from the inlet to Elk Creek Marina. Small jigs
tipped with mealworms from 10-80 feet of water are catching fish of all species. Open water fishing is good during the
warmest part of the day using jigs near shoreline structure. No boat ramps are open due to ice.
Crawford Reservoir
There is some open water around the inlets and edges of the lake. Fishing is no longer feasible from the ice. We have had
no recent fishing reports. We currently have ice covering most of the lake with very little open water. Open water is
located around some edges and near the inlets. Ice is unsafe to be on, as it is thinning and has standing water on top.
********************************************************************************************************************************************************
Information is provided by CPW employees and local fishing enthusists. 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.
Help your fellow fisherman and submit your fishing reports all year round to dnr_fish.reporter@state.co.us or go online at
http://cpw.state.co.us/thingstodo/Pages/Fish-Reporter.aspx .
DNR Fish Reporter
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us