Northern Colorado Fishing Report Week of September 27, 2010

Oct 1, 2010

Northern Colorado Fishing Report Week of September 27, 2010

By Mike Bauman

The following Northern Colorado fishing spots were recently stocked with catchable trout:

Bellaire Lake	Red Feather
Boyd Lake	East of Loveland
Chartiers Pond	North of Brush
East Wacker Pond	North of Brush
Lon Hagler Reservoir	South of Loveland
Milavec Reservoir	North of Firestone
Sheldon Lake	Fort Collins
Thomas Reservoir	Longmont
Union Reservoir	East of Longmont
Wellington Res. #4	West of Wellington
West Lake	Red Feather
West Wacker Pond	North of Brush

(Source: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Reports/StockingReport/)

Here are the fishing conditions in Northern Colorado.

Barnes Meadow Reservoir – Barnes Meadow has been fishing decent. Most anglers are reporting catching some fish, but there has been a mixture of smaller and bigger fish. Powerbait has still been working the best, but other lures and Pistol Petes have also been showing some success.

Carter Reservoir – 09/26/10: The fishing has picked up again with several reports of good-size rainbows being caught from boats and the shore. One regular fisher caught several rainbows off the south end. No recent reports on walleye fishing. The reservoir was stocked with about 120,000 “finger size” rainbows on 8/04. Boaters are reminded that all trailered watercraft MUST complete an Aquatic Nuisance Species (Zebra Mussel) inspection before being launched on this lake. This is a Colorado State law and is strictly enforced. Additional information is available online at http://www.larimer.org/parks/boating inspections.htm.
More info | Interactive Map

Dixon Reservoir – Fishing has been decent, but with some of the warmer days, mornings and evenings have been working better. Bluegill have been hitting relatively well. The vegetation is definitely starting to make its way in and so weedless patterns are definitely going to be better.

Flatiron Reservoir – 09/26/10: The fishing has dropped off again. A few reports of “stockers” being caught with power bait and salmon eggs. Please remember that there is no fishing or other recreational activities allowed within 100 feet of the dam, spillway, or outlet structures. Swimming, wading, and boating of any kind (including belly boats, kick boats, canoes, and kayaks) is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.
More info

Jackson Reservoir – Fishing is fair to good for catfish and trout at the boat ramp, dam, and along the west shoreline. Fishing is fair for wipers and walleye at the dam. Beginning the month of October, boat fisherman must remain south of the buoys that extend from the boat ramp to the east end of the dam. The water level has dropped 6 feet; however, levels still remain sufficient for boating. Boats must be inspected for zebra mussels prior to launch. Currently, inspection hours are 7A-7P seven days a week. Beginning October 1, inspection hours will be 8A-5P. For further questions or information, please call the park office at (970)645-2551.
More info | Interactive Map

Joe Wright Reservoir – The grayling and cutthroats are hitting. Grayling and cutthroat are hitting gold super doopers with red spots. Best fishing is from the dam in the rocks or on the north shore. The water is very low so cast out as far as possible and retrieve slowly. Grayling are also taking flies like the orange stimulator and hares ear beaded nymph. Setting the hook in a grayling with a fly is tricky because unlike trout, they only bump the fly the first time and have soft mouths, easy to pull the hook out if pulled too hard. 2. Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. 3. The bag and possession limit for trout (except grayling) is two fish.
Interactive Map

Jumbo Reservoir – Fishing is slow for all species. The water levels are still good, but are beginning to drop. The water has a blue-green algae on the surface due to the warm water temperatures. The boat ramp is open and is on the east side. All boats must be inspected.
More info | Interactive Map

Long Draw Reservoir – Some fish were seen rising this past weekend and some were seen cruising along the shoreline. Artificial flies and lures are all that can be used on the reservoir. Roostertails and Mepps are good starters and for flies, emergers or wet flies will be the ones to start with. With warmer days, you will start to see more surface action as well.
Interactive Map

North Fork South Platte (Bailey to Shawnee) – Fall is in the air up at 8500′. Fishing could not be better despite some really hot afternoons. Flows from the town of Grant all the way to Pine Valley Ranch are around 300cfs, little higher than normal, but the fishing has improved. Nymphing the deeper pools with Pheasant tails, Rubber Legs, and Olive Hares ears have taken many native Browns and Rainbows. Green drakes and red quills have been the major hatches.

North Sterling Reservoir – The lake is at 37% capacity with the inlet and outlet both running. The water temperature is in the mid 60′s. The south boat ramp and ski beach are now open while the Elks Ramp is closed due to water levels. The Rookery Point, Darby Point, Sunset Point, and Balanced Rock areas are producing lots of wipers in the 16″-18″ range with some anglers getting full limits on Green Mussels. Watch for shad being pushed to the surface by wipers and use crankbaits, spoons, or jigs to catch the wiper when they are pushing shad. Walleye are being caught in the Sunset Point and Darby Arm areas using worm rig harnesses and jigs. Some crappie were being caught on the marina point area on minnows.
More info | Interactive Map

Pine Valley Lake – Pine Valley ranch has been productive but very busy with everybody trying to get those last few days in. The lake has seen decent morning and evening hatches of black midges as well as some hoppers on the water. A short hike up river will improve your chances. The ranch has great facilities and is very clean so this makes for a nice day of fishing and a picnic. Get out and fish the state at this great time of year!

Pinewood Reservoir – 09/26/10: Fishing at Pinewood has dropped off somewhat this week. No great “catches” to pass on. The northwest corner by the inlet has been the best spot. This reservoir was last stocked on July 7th with catchable trout. Please remember that all trailered watercraft MUST be inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species (Zebra Mussels) before launch. The closest inspection station can be found at the North Ramp of Carter Lake. For information on inspection station days and times go to our web site at: www.larimer.org/naturalresources/boating_inspections.htm. This is Colorado State law and strictly enforced.
More info | Interactive Map

Poudre River – The Poudre has been holding steady with the flow at the mouth of the canyon at 127 cfs. With low water comes the clear river and fishing has been good. Afternoon rainstorms have been causing the river to get murky in areas, but it seems to clear up by the next day. Green Drakes have been working well in the upper canyon. There have been some decent caddis hatches toward evening as well.
More info | Interactive Map

Prewitt Reservoir – Water levels are at 95%, the inlet is not running. Fishing is good for wipers from a boat, and a few catfish are being caught. Trolling has been good with bait similar to shad. The fishing from the shoreline is still slow. The minimum wiper length is 15″. Temperatures are not as hot as they have been. The boat dock is in and the ramp is open.
More info | Interactive Map

(Source: http://wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/Reports/StatewideConditions/)

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