Northern Colorado Fishing Report: Week of October 4, 2010
By Mike Bauman
According to the Colorado Division of Wildlife (http://wildlife.state.co.us), the following are the fishing conditions at major Northern Colorado fishing areas.
| 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’s 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 north west 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 towards the 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 as well. 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 |
| Northwest Region |
| Colorado River (near Granby) – The water flows below Windy Gap and below Parshall are 114cfs and 184cfs respectively. Copper Johns, RS-2s, Prince nymphs, chartreuse wooly buggers, yellow colored flies, and other emerger patterns, San Juan worms, and egg patterns are doing well. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the lower end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept. From the east side of the bridge abutments (the west end of Byers Canyon) down to Troublesome Creek, including the Williams Fork River from the reservoir, catch-and-release rules apply and fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. 9/27/2010 Interactive Map |
| Delaney Buttes – The fishing action on the Delaney’s is really picking up. Anglers are having good, to excellent success for big trout, using a variety of dry flies and hardware |
| Dillon Reservoir – The launch ramp at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm daily weather permitting. The only boat launching areas will be at the Dillon and Frisco marinas. All boats launched and retrieved at the Dillon Marina will require an Invasive Species Inspection. We recommend that you check ahead with the marinas staff for hours of operation before you launch or retrieve your vessel. Inspection station hours will vary during the year depending on weather and time of season. We recommend that you check ahead with the marinas staff for hours of operation. The launch ramp at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm daily weather permitting. The only boat launching areas will be at the Dillon and Frisco marinas. Phone (970) 468-5100 for information |
| Elkhead Reservoir – The lake has started into fall fishing mode, slower but still fishing steady. The water is dropping daily as releases are used to suppliment instream river flows. Large pike in the 13-15lb range, catfish in that same 15lb range and great smallmouth are being taken. Crappie fishing has really slowed, but they are still being caught on the north end. ANS inspections will continue through September and the boat ramp will remain open. We will close the ramp Oct. 1, but hand launch and shore fishing is still available. |
| Frying Pan River – Depending on the stretch of the river, flows have been around 13cfs to 164cfs. We’re still seeing fish actively feeding on shrimp. Sight fishing on the flats is just about as much fun as you can have on the Upper Pan right now. Interactive Map |
| Granby Reservoir – Fishing in the early morning and late evening are still the best times. Colder nights and brisk mornings are making fishing better. The kokanee are staging for their spawning run and are being caught in Grand Bay and toward A Bay. On October 1st, from Shadow Mountain Dam down to Twin Creeks will be closed to fishing; on January 1st, fishing will be allowed for 500 yards from the dam downstream until March 15th when fishing restrictions will end. Fly fishing the inlet streams, the Colorado river below Shadow Mountain and Arapaho Creek is very good; streamers, wooly buggers, emergers egg patterns, and some dry flies are working well. The water level is still high, but is dropping rapidly. Finding fish has been fairly easy and getting them to bite is improving. 9/27/2010 Interactive Map |
| Grand Lake – Fish activity is picking up. This lake is over 270′ deep. It can be difficult, but very rewarding to learn to fish this lake. Very large lake trout, nice rainbows, browns, and kokanee salmon are available. Trolling, jigging, bait, lure, and fly fishing are all productive ways of catching these fish. Two prime bank fishing areas are the entrance to the channel and around the West Portal. From Oct. 1st-June30th, all lakers 26-36 inches long must be released immediately. Rapalas, Mepps, Panther Martins, and Blue Fox spinners are only some of the lures used. Jigging with sucker meat is common and productive. The channel between Grand Lake and Shadow Mtn. will be closed for the month of October. Of course, this will stop boating access between the lake and reservoir. 9/27/2010 Interactive Map |
| Green Mountain Reservoir – Fishing is starting to pick up, the reservoir is receding. Nightcrawlers and salmon eggs are being used. Snagging has started and some salmon are running. Interactive Map |
| Pearl Lake – 9/24/10 Anglers are having some luck at Pearl. As usual though, it is a very picky lake to fish. All areas and campground are open and fishing is good. Remember all boats on trailers have to be inspected before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key words for a fast inspection. The dock at Pearl Lake has been removed for the season. More info | Interactive Map |
| Rifle Gap Reservoir – The water level is low, and has resulted in a very muddy shoreline. The best access to the lake is from the rocky points and outcroppings. Trout fishing is fair to slow, with the best action being on rainbow Power Bait, fished off the bottom. All other species are reported as slow. More info | Interactive Map |
| Shadow Mountain Reservoir – For the month of October the channel between Shadow Mtn. Reservoir and Grand Lake will be closed, stopping boat access between the two bodies of water. Fishing the pump canal, the area around the mouth of the canal, and below the dam can be highly rewarding using flies, slip bobber rigs, lures, and nightcrawlers on the bottom. The canal and the area where it enters the reservoir, are prime fishing sights; kokanee, rainbows, and browns are being caught. Small jigs tipped with wax worms, mealworms, power bait or eggs are commonly used. On October 1st, fishing from the dam down to Twin Creeks, will be prohibited; on January 1st, fishing will be allowed for 500 yards from the dam downstream and on March 15th the restrictions will be lifted. 9/27/2010 Interactive Map |
| Stagecoach Reservoir – Due to park construction and decreasing water levels, the reservoir is 15 feet below full. The muddy shore line is exposed and algae is visible. The reservoir closed to trailered watercraft September 6th for the season to allow for ramp construction. Hand launch vessels are permitted at visitors own risk until ice on. With decreasing water levels, the flow at the tailwaters is estimated to stay at 142 cfs through September. Midges, emergers and RS2′s have been working well for fly fishing the tailwaters. Green colored PowerBait, Kastmasters, and trolling with a crayfish lure have yielded some larger sized trout in the reservoir. Pike have been hitting on tube jigs and Kastmasters. The water temperature is in the low 60′s. More info | Interactive Map |
| Steamboat Lake – 9/24/10 Fishing is still good all around. With the water getting cooler the fish arte biting well. One angler sent us an e-mail of a Cutthroat Trout – 24″ length 13″ girth 6.5lbs (approx) caught on a Kastmaster perch lure off Meadow As of last weekend, most anglers are using a variety of baits and doing well. Meadow Point and Rainbow ridge are very popular all day long. The dam has been producing well also. Remember all boats on trailers have to be inspected before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key words for a fast inspection. The boat ramp will close on Nov.1st for the season. More info | Interactive Map |
| Vega Reservoir – Vega is open for boating. Fishing is picking up and should continue to improve throughout the year More info | Interactive Map |
| Williams Fork Reservoir – Rainbow and brown trout, lake trout, northern pike and Kokanee are available. Boat inspections and ramp access are from 6:00AM to 8:00PM seven days a week; ramps are closed at night. Bank fishing is good by the east boat ramp and in the Fingers. Rainbows have been plentiful and large. Bait fishing using bottom rigs, jigs, trolling worm harnesses are productive methods of catching fish as well as lures and fly fishing. The kokanee are gathering for the spawning run. From the buoy line at Williams Fork River inlet upstream to first CR bridge: fishing and snagging prohibited Sept. 15-Nov. 30. 9/27/2010 More info | Interactive Map |
| Willow Creek Reservoir – Rainbow, brown trout and Kokanee salmon are available. This is a beautiful area with easy fishing access around the boat ramp area and the next bay. If a person likes to hike, taking the trail to the inlet area can be rewarding. This reservoir is a good place to take kids, and gets less fishing pressure than other area lakes. Worms, Powerbait, salmon eggs and many different lures are commonly used. Trailered boats are still not allowed on the reservoir. Fly fishing is also very productive from shore and out of canoes kayaks and belly boats. Inquire in Granby for updates. The weather has cooled down and fish activity has picked up. 9/27/2010 Interactive Map |
| Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) – The Yampa has dropped fast. Fishing has been good all through the valley, but especially up stream. Fishing dry flies as well as nymphs is very effective right now. Rapalas and rooster tails are working like a charm. Fish early or late; mid day seems to be slow right now. Fish the seams and deeper pools. The floating season has come to an end until water levels increase, late october. More info | Interactive Map |
Tags: area, Colorado, day, Dillon Marina, end, Fishing, Grand Lake, information, Interactive Map, Mountain, North, October, Reservoir Fishing, right, September, time, Valley, water, week, year
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