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 Colorado Fishing Report

Help The Angler keep others informed by emailing fishing reports to us. Include your name in the message part of your report if you'd like to receive credit for the report.

Information for fishing reports is gathered by a number of ways including angler contact, state agencies and bait and tackle dealers.

Read Reports from Colorado Anglers

Free Fishing Days - Kansas June 7 ­ 8, 2008, Arkansas June 6 ­ 8, 2008, Colorado June 7 ­ 8, 2008, Iowa June 6 ­ 8, 2008, Missouri June 7 ­ 8, 2008, Nebraska May 17, 2008, Oklahoma June 7 ­ 8, 2008 and Texas June 7, 2008

We've had a request for reports on Golden Pond, Pela Crossing & Lageman Reservoir
If you fish those waters, please email us some reports.

COLORADO FISHING
Report

May 7, 2008

Statewide Fishing Conditions

Conditions by Region
Report for the week of May 6, 2008
Denver Metro l Northeast l Southeast l Northwest l Southwest
Denver Metro Region
Arvada Reservoir - Fishing for trout is fair, with fish being caught from the shore on orange Power Bait. Bass are being caught from boats on crawdad lures bounced off the bottom.

Aurora Reservoir - The water temperature is about 45 degrees and the reservoir is open to boating. Inspection of all watercraft including belly boats before launching is required. Boats must be clean, and bilge and livewell areas dry. Trout action has been slow for some and good for others on Power Bait and salmon eggs. The best areas have been the dam, the marina cove and south of the scuba area. Also, fly fishermen have reported some success using Pheasant Tails, other nymphs and egg patterns. From boats, try drifting with crawlers or slowly trolling with Rapalas. Jigs and minnows have produced some walleye action. Some reportedly have been caught off the west end of the dam. The limit for trout is two fish. Boating is restricted to electric motors.

Barr Lake - The water level is high, the boat ramp is open and the dock is in place. Fishing has been slow overall, though some 16- to 18-inch trout have been taken on minnows and Power Bait, mostly from boats. An occasional catfish has been taken on dead minnows or night crawlers off the bottom.

Bear Creek - The stream between Evergreen Lake and Bear Creek Reservoir has a fairly good population of 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout and an occasional larger brown. After ice-out, trout will take a variety of dry flies, nymphs and small spinners. The best fishing months usually are May and June. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures, and all rainbows must immediately be returned to the water alive. The limit for other trout is two fish.

Bear Creek Reservoir - Fishing in the reservoir has been fair and should improve with recent stocking. Rainbow trout have been caught on orange Power Bait and salmon eggs. Saugeye fishing has been very good using night crawlers.

Berkeley Lake - The 40-acre lake is stocked with trout in the spring and also has largemouth bass, bluegills crappie and channel catfish. Boats are not permitted. A recreation center, playground and other amenities are available on the south side of the lake.

Centennial Park Lake - The lake is stocked with catchable-sized trout in the spring, which can be taken on a variety of baits and lures. The lake also has warm-water fish including bass, crappie, catfish and perch, but good fishing for them is several weeks away. No boats are allowed on the 15-acre lake. A playground, restrooms and handicapped-accessible fishing pier are available.

Chatfield Ponds - The ponds support fairly good populations of largemouth bass, catfish and panfish. Try soft-plastic grubs or small crankbaits for the bass. Fishing with minnows off a bobber can be another effective technique. Only belly boats are permitted. Though a state parks pass generally is required, some free parking may be available off Highway 75.

Chatfield Reservoir - The water temperature is about 50 degrees. The level is a little low, but expected to rise soon. Fishing for all species has been slow. Trout have provided most of the action, especially near the inlet, typically a good area for early season trout. Crankbaits often produce well there. Walleyes soon should be moving along the dam face and other structure, but so far, few have been reported. The minimum size for bass at the reservoir is 15 inches. The minimum size for walleyes is 18 inches, and only one exceeding 21 inches may be kept daily.

Cherry Creek Reservoir - The water level is normal and the temperature is about 50. The east and west boat ramps are open and the docks are in place. Fishing has been on the slow side, but should pick up with warmer weather. Expect walleyes to move into shallows and along the dam face late in the day. Try for them with a minnow on a bobber, large tube jigs or night crawlers. Periodically stocked trout offer potentially good springtime fishing. The reservoir also has catfish, wipers, crappie and perch, which become more active a little later.

Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) - The creek holds a surprising number of trout, but not of any great size. Fly fishermen can have some fun with No. 16-18 Hare's Ears, RS-2s, olive caddis, Pheasant Tails and small streamer patterns. Effective lures include small Rapalas and Mepps spinners. Respect private property along the creek.

Clear Lake - The lake south of Georgetown off the Guanella Pass road typically is ice-free in late April or early May. It offers fair to good fishing for catchable-sized rainbow trout, and also has some brook trout and a few browns. Fishing can be fairly good on a variety of baits and lures, but success largely depends on periodic stocking. The north shore often is the best location. No boats are permitted on the lake.

Evergreen Lake - The lake is free of ice. Early season fishing for holdover trout can be fair to good. The lake also has some tiger muskies.

Georgetown Lake - The lake is free of ice. Early season fishing for holdover trout usually is quite good. Try salmon eggs, Power Bait and small spoon-type lures.

Jim Baker Reservoir - The 80-acre Adams County lake offers fishing for catchable-sized trout early in the season. It also has smallmouth bass, walleyes, panfish and tiger muskies, all of which become more active later. Boats are not allowed. Fishing hours are sunrise to sunset.

Ketring Park Lake - The 15-acre lake offers fishing for a variety of mostly small warm-water fish. Typically, the early spring action has been slow but should improve with warmer weather. Boats are not allowed.

Main Lake - The fluctuating 45-acre lake has bass up to 18 inches, crappie, bluegills, catfish and other warm-water species. Early season fishing has been slow. No boats are allowed on the lake.

Quincy Reservoir - Inspection of all water craft including float tubes before launching is required. Check in on the east side before launching on the west side. The water temperature is 56 degrees. Trout action is fait to good using spinners, flies and spoons. Bass action is fair to good using soft plastics and suspended jerkbaits. Overall, it is starting to pick up on the east end of the reservoir. Quincy is restricted to fishing with artificial flies and lures. Please see the definition of artificial in the Colorado Division of Wildlife's fishing regulations booklet. The limit for trout at Quincy is two. Bass must be at least 18 inches to keep. All boats must be hand launched. Only electric motors are permitted. For rmation, call 303-693-5463 or 303-690-1286.

Rocky Mountain Lake - The lake is periodically stocked with pan-sized trout in the spring. A variety of warm-water fish including largemouth bass, panfish and catfish provide fairly good fishing later. Boats are not allowed. The minimum size for largemouth bass is 15 inches. A playground and restrooms are nearby.

Sloans Lake - The urban lake periodically is stocked with catchable trout in spring. It also has some bass, catfish and a few crappie, but carp comprise much of the fish population.

Smith Reservoir - Warm-water fishing has been poor, but will improve with rising water temperatures. Crappie provide much of the early season activity. Largemouth and smallmouth bass become active a little later and provide potentially good fishing well into the summer. The 45-acre lake also has bluegills, catfish and perch. No boats are allowed on the lake.

Standley Lake - New zebra mussel rules and regulations are in place for the start of the May 1 opening of the boating season. Aquatic bait is no longer allowed at Standley Lake; this includes salamanders, leeches, crayfish, frogs and minnows. Fishing hours are from sunrise to sunset and will be strictly enforced. All trailered boats must pass an inspection and go through an 11-day quarantine period before they can be launched on Standley Lake. The quarantine will be reduced to seven days in June. The water temperature is 45 degrees. Trout fishing has been fair to good in the early season. A variety of baits, fished off the bottom, work best at this time of year. For rmation, contact the Standley Lake Visitor Center at 303-425-1097.

Washington Park Lakes - The lakes are stocked with trout in the spring. Otherwise, crappie running up to 10 inches, bass, bluegills and catfish can provide some interesting fishing in an urban-park setting. Try a small, green or white plastic grub or a live minnow below a bobber about 3 feet down for crappie.

Webster Lake - The lake offers fishing for catchable trout in the spring, and for bass, perch and catfish in late spring and early summer. No boats are allowed. A handicapped-access fishing pier, playground and other facilities are available.

Northeast Region
Barker Reservoir - The reservoir near Nederland is free of ice. After ice-out, fishing for trout can be fair to good. The north shore and inlet regions generally are the best locations. Try salmon eggs, worms and a selection of small spinning lures.

Barnes Meadow Reservoir - The lake still has ice.
Big Thompson River - Flows below Lake Estes were 54.2 on Monday and the water generally was clear. Fly fishermen have reported some periods of midge activity, with dry flies being a good choice on less-windy days. Stuck in the Shucks, Eric's Hi-Vis Midge and Sprouts in sizes 18-22 have been effective. For nymphs midge patterns, Brassies, Tailwater Tinys and Miracle Nymphs will work well. Baetis nymphs are active, so BH Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns and BH Baetis Nymphs in sizes 18-22 are a good bet. On cloudy days, BWO duns in size 18-22 have been good; try BWO Thorax, Parachutes and Hatchmasters. In the non catch-and-release section below the Waltonia bridge, salmon eggs have been an effective bait. Inquire in Estes Park for more details.

Boulder Reservoir - Fishing for walleyes near the dam has picked up a little, with some larger fish recently taken. Some bass also have been appearing in the catch. Fishermen should be aware of new boating regulations for the reservoir.

Boyd Lake - The water level is stable at 35.4 feet and the temperature is 54-56 degrees. The main boat ramp is in operation. Fishermen have been catching stocked rainbow trout around the marina channel, and some holdover trout at the north end, though that action has slowed. Some good catches of yellow perch have been reported, and a few white bass also have been taken in shallow water. When reservoir filling begins, look for action to pick up in the channels. Check the DOW's regulations booklet for size restrictions on walleyes and largemouth and smallmouth bass. The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has issued a mercury advisory for large walleyes from the lake. Call the park office at (970) 669-1739 for additional information.

Carter Reservoir - The reservoir is filling after low water levels last fall. The lake has risen significantly in the last week. The area below the Carter Knolls campground seems to be best for walleyes.

Chambers Lake - Unsafe ice conditions remain.

Dixon Reservoir - The water temperature has been in the 50s. Largemouth bass are becoming active. The lake also has catfish, crappie and bluegills.
Douglas Reservoir - The lake is full and the boat ramp is usable. The lake is stocked with catchable trout early in the season, and fishing for rainbows has been fairly good. The reservoir also has bass, crappie, wipers and carp, all of which will become more active later in the spring.

Dowdy Lake (Red Feather) - Fishing for holdover rainbow trout has been fair to good.

Estes Lake - The lake has a good population of rainbow trout, and fishing has been fair. The best bet is the inlet for spawning rainbows. Fly fishermen might try Woolly Buggers for cruising fish, and midges if surface activity is evident. For spin-fishing, try flashy lures and baits, especially salmon eggs, at the inlet. Fishing around the lake also can be good with a worm or Power Bait.

Flatiron Reservoir - Fishermen at the east end have been very successful, catching their limit on trout. Anglers should try Power Bait, salmon eggs, small Kastmasters and Dardevles.

Hidden Lakes - The lakes remain frozen and generally inaccessible.

Hohnholz Lakes - The Hohnholz lakes are ice-free, but at last report, the only access was through Wyoming. Lake No. 3 is the largest and has the largest trout. Fishing on No. 3 is by artificial flies and lures only. Black Woolly Buggers and gold-colored Kastmasters are among the most effective early in the season. Standard regulations apply to the other lakes.

Horsetooth Reservoir - The water temperature has been in the mid-40s and clarity has been good. All boat ramps are open and have docks in place. Fishing for all species has been slow. Fishermen are reporting having some luck for smallmouth bass and small walleyes on Rogues and different colored grubs, and are seeing large schools of fish on electronic devices. As the water warms up, the action should pick up considerably for the warm-water species. Some trout have been caught in the Inlet Bay and South Bay areas. All walleyes must be at least 18 inches long, but only one can exceed 21 inches. Smallmouth bass must be at least 12 inches.

Jackson Reservoir - Fishing is good for trout, fair for wipers and slow to fair for other species. Most trout have been caught from the west shore and the boat-ramp and inlet areas on typical trout baits including salmon eggs, Power Bait or worms. Mussels, shrimp and worms seem to be working best for wipers. Fishing action should improve as warmer temperatures arrive.

Joe Wright Reservoir - The lake remains covered by ice. Grayling are the primary species although rainbow and cuttbow trout can be caught, as well. The lake has a special regulation that only artificial flies and lures may be used (no bait fishing). The daily bag and possession limit is two trout.

Jumbo Reservoir - Jumbo Reservoir is full. Trout have been stocked but fishing for all species has been slow. A habitat stamp is required to enter Jumbo and the Red Lion Annex.

Lon Hagler Reservoir - The water level is high. Bass fishing has improved a little, but the overall action remains slow. Trout have been the primary catch through most of the spring, but that has slowed. Look for warm-water fishing to take off as the water warms up into the mid-50s.

Lonetree Reservoir - Fishing remains on the slow side, but fishermen have been catching a few bass and wipers. Expect activity to improve with warmer weather. The minimum size for walleyes is 15 inches, and fishermen may take only one walleye longer than 21 inches per day.

Long Draw Reservoir - The lake is frozen and the road is closed. The ice usually melts in mid to late May and the road is cleared later.

Lost Lake (at Chambers) - Unsafe ice conditions remain.

North Sterling Reservoir - The reservoir is full and the inlet is off. The outlet was to start running on Monday. That should create currents and get the fish moving. Water temperatures still are right at the 50-degree range, with the inlet and Elks Bay areas slightly warmer. Some catfish were still in the area of the inlet despite it not running. Anglers are catching a few walleyes along the dam in the mornings and evenings. Trout were stocked in March, so they should be working around the Balanced Rock and south boat ramp areas. A few wipers in the 15- to 17-inch range started coming out last week along the dam. All other species are slow at this time.

Parvin Lake (Red Feather) - Fishing for 10- to 14-inch rainbow trout, a few browns and some large, hatchery brood fish has been good on a variety of flies. Nymphs with some flash or peacock herl, worked slowly close to the bottom on a sinking line, have worked best. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures, and the daily and possession limit is two trout. Boating is prohibited except for float tubes used for fishing. A habitat stamp is required to use the state wildlife area.

Pinewood Reservoir - Trout fishing has been slow. Anglers have been successful catching some trout on salmon eggs and different colors of Power Bait. A keeper-sized tiger muskie recently was caught.

Poudre River - With recent cool nights, the river has remained fishably clear and fishing well through much of its length. Blue-wing-olive mayflies have been coming off in the afternoons, and midges have been emerging from midmorning to early afternoon. A few March brown mayflies and pre-emergent caddis also have been reported. Standard BWO dry fly patterns have worked well when the hatch is on. Otherwise, effective nymphing patterns include Pheasant Tails, Barr's Emergers, WD40s and Brassies. Stonefly nymphs have been active along the bottom. Try dead-drifting a dark Hare's Ear nymph or similar pattern in about a size 14.

Prewitt Reservoir - The reservoir is full with a small amount of water coming in to keep it full. There are a few walleye being caught but basically fishing is slow to poor. Trout have been stocked with a few being caught. The boat dock will be put in around the first week of May, weather permitting. A habitat stamp is required to enter Prewitt Reservoir.

Rocky Mountain National Park - The Park is starting to ice out. The Big Thompson in the Moraine is flowing at 7.1 cfs. In areas of open water, expect spooky fish and hatches of midges or little brown stoneflies. Check the regulations before fishing in the park because it has special-regulations areas and bait fishing is limited to kids in selected areas. Inquire in Estes Park for more details.
Simpson Ponds - Early season fishing has been slow but look for crappie and largemouth bass to become active when the water temperature warms a few degrees.

Slack Weiss Reservoir - An unsafe cover of ice remains.

St. Vrain River - The Vrain was running at 53.3 cfs at Lyons on Monday. Midges and blue-wing-olives are the best bets, with patterns similar to those for the Big Thompson. Baetis will show on cloudy days and a size 18-22 BWO pattern can work well. Fish are spooky, and long casts with light lines are the best approach. Spin-fishers will have to look for deeper areas to get the action they need to land a few fish.

Union Reservoir (Calkins) - Fishermen have been taking rainbow trout up to 18 inches. Minnows, worms and Power Bait are working best. A few wipers in the 17- to 18-inch range, with a few over 20 inches, have started appearing in the catch. The reservoir is down 3 feet and the water temperature is 52 degrees. Park hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. Camping will be available beginning May 1.

Watson Lake - The water level has been stable and the temperature is 54-56 degrees. Clarity is good. With the warmer temperature, fishing for smallmouth bass has taken off. Most have been 12-15 inches, with an occasional larger one. Most have been in 6-8 feet of water. Dark-green Wooly Buggers with a fair amount of flash, peacock Woolly Buggers and brown Clouser Minnows, retrieved slowly near the bottom, have been effective.

Wellington Reservoir #4 - The water temperature has been in the upper 40s, and the visibility into it is about 3 feet. Bait fishermen have been taking lots of trout off the bottom on night crawlers and Power Bait, and fly fishers have been having some fun on No. 8-10 peacock nymphs. Trout provide most of the early action here, but some catfish also can be taken on prepared baits. Other warm-water species will become more active in May.

West Lake (Red Feather) - Fishing for holdover rainbows has been fairly good.

Northwest Region
Big Creek Lakes - The lakes are frozen and generally inaccessible. Ice-out usually occurs in mid to late May.

Blue River (below Green Mountain Reservoir) - Monday's flow was 583 cfs. The river below Green Mountain Dam holds its share of trout, some of which are large. Though some public access is available, much of the river courses through private property. Catch-and-release and flies-and-lures provisions are in effect for the river from the dam to the Colorado River.

Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) - As spring approaches, fishing between Silverthorne and Green Mountain Reservoir should begin to pick up. Flows coming out of Dillon Dam have jumped to around 508 cfs in anticipation of a big runoff year. This increase in flow means good things for anglers. Fish should be a little less picky and will be holding in the softer water along the edges and in deep pools. Still, concentrate on your bigger midges and Mysis shrimp, along with San Juan worms and egg patterns through Silverthorne. North of town, go to San Juan worms, egg patterns, Flashback Pheasant Tails and midges in sizes 16-20.

Colorado River (below Parshall) - Monday's flows were 416 cfs at Windy Gap, 628 cfs near Parshall and 1,580 cfs near Kremmling, below the Blue River confluence. During cooler periods, the water is clear and fishable with midges, small dry flies and deep-drifted nymphs. When temperatures rise, it becomes significantly discolored. Mepps and Panther Martin spinners still can take a few trout at such times.

Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) - Recent flows were 5,250 cfs in Glenwood Springs. The river has become unfishable. River and creek closures are in effect along the major tributaries below Glenwood Canyon.

Colorado River (near Granby) - Sunday's flow rates were 273 cfs at Windy Gap and 519 cfs below Parshall. Murky conditions exist on warm days. Midges are the main hatch. Some dry flies such as Trico patterns have been working. RS-2s, Copper Johns, egg patterns and San Juan worms all can be productive. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the west end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

Cowdrey Lake - The lake remains mostly covered with deteriorating ice. Expect open water soon.

Crystal River - Recent river flows were at 608 cfs in Carbondale. Fish up near Redstone and above.

Eagle River - The river has been fishably clear above Wolcott, but off-color below.
East Delaney Lake - On Monday, 20-30 feet of open water were evident along the west shore. With warm, windy weather, additional areas should open soon. Inquire in Walden for rmation. A habitat stamp is required to use the state wildlife area.

Elk River - The Elk is open and on cooler days has been fishably clear on the Christina State Wildlife Area. The spring runoff appears imminent, however, and warming weather will discolor the river.

Elkhead Reservoir - Elkhead is open for boating and fishing. The ice went off last week and things are looking good. Fishermen took good-sized trout and a few crappie and bluegills through the ice last winter. Although the bass did not make a strong winter showing, that is not uncommon. The reservoir's warm-water fish showed great potential last summer and fall, so hope for good things this season. This summer, camping and other activities will be coming on line as construction is completed. The lake surprised many, and provided a great opportunity last year. Local fishermen still encourage catch-and-release fishing until the fishery is re-established.
Fryingpan River - The Frying Pan has been exceptional lately, with river flows at 332 cfs last week. Mysis shrimp are by far the way to go up near the dam. Look for some superb hatches of midges and BWOs between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the middle river. The nymph fishing is equally good prior to and after the hatches. Hot flies include: BWO CDC Comparaduns, Sparkledun BWOs, Para-Quill BWOs, Poxyback Baetis, Pheasant Tails, RS-2s, Johnny Flashes, Zebra Midges, Tim's Mysis and Epoxy Mysis.

Granby Reservoir - Up to 20 inches of ice still covered most of the reservoir last weekend, and ice fishermen still were at it. Conditions might change rapidly, however; use extreme caution if going on the ice. Runoff coming down Stillwater Creek is beginning to open an area in the bay. Willow Creek pumping continues, creating some open water in Rainbow Bay. That area usually offers good fishing at ice-out. Many large lake trout were caught this winter. Rainbows have been plentiful. Some kokanee have been caught, but they have been very elusive. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

Grand Lake - Though ice remains, open-water areas are spreading. Consistent fishing on this deep, natural lake requires some learning and experience, but it can be highly rewarding. The water level of this lake remains constant. It has been a good ice-fishing season, with a 42- and 47-inch lake trout being caught. Inquire in Granby for updates.

Green Mountain Reservoir - The lake is still iced-over and not safe. The inlet has open water and lake trout are being caught on sucker meat.

Harvey Gap Reservoir - The ice is off the lake and it is open for boating. The trout are very active and fishing is picking up. Perch and crappie also are picking up and some reports of sunfish being caught have come in. The pike also became more active last week.

Highline Lake - Early season warm-water fishing has been slow. A few crappie are being caught, but fishing for bass and catfish is slow. With 10,000 trout having been stocked this spring, fishing for them has been fair using typical trout baits and spinners. The canal feeding the lake opened, and the lake is full and spilling. Both boat ramps are open. Use caution on the east ramp because of a build-up of silt and debris from the inlet.

Jerry Creek Reservoirs - The Mesa County reservoirs near Molina have closed to public access for dam and spillway reconstruction. They are unlikely to reopen before July, at the earliest.
Kenney Reservoir - The lake is open, but fishing overall has been slow and few fishermen have been on the water. Some rainbows have been taken on Power Bait, and night crawlers have produced some catfish and carp. Night crawlers also have been taking some catfish from the White River below Taylor Draw Dam.
Lake Avery - The lake is free of ice. Fishing for rainbow trout has been good on a variety of baits and lures.

Lake John - Though some breakup along the edges has occurred, on Monday the lake still had no fishable open water. Expect that to change quickly with warm, windy weaather. Inquire in Walden for the latest.

Mack Mesa Lake - Trout have been stocked three times this spring and fishing has been good on salmon eggs, Power Bait and spinners. The lake is full and shore access is good. Mack Mesa is restricted to hand-propelled craft or boats with small, electric trolling motors. Don't forget your PFDs if you are fishing from a boat.

Muddy Creek - Flows below Wolford Mountain Reservoir are running about 70 cfs. The reservoir will begin to spill and flows will be up dramatically in mid May, so now is the time to fish this area.

North Delaney Lake - On Monday, the lake had no open water. Expect quickly changing conditions with warmer weather. The lake is designated Gold Medal Water, and special regulations apply. Be aware of the dam closures Sept. 15-Nov. 15; fishing is prohibited within 100 feet of the dam. Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. The limit is two trout. Brown trout of 14-20 inches must immediately be released. Rainbows and cutthroats of 18-22 inches must be returned to the water.

North Michigan Lake - Ice on the lake still is thick. Ice fishing is slowing down a lot due because of the amount of snow and slush on the surface. No signs of breaking up are evident. More water is coming in now.

North Park Alpine Lakes - All Alpine lakes still are completely frozen-over and trails are covered with deep snow.
North Park Streams - North Platte tributaries such as the Illinois, Michigan, Roaring Fork and North Fork are open, but clarity can be an issue on warmer days. Try dead-drifting Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails, leeches and scuds in size 14-16, or working olive, black or white streamer flies. Headwater creeks remain ice-covered.

North Platte River - Flows have been around 1,500 cfs and visibility has been about one foot into the water. Cooler days are the best times to fish because clarity will be better then. A favorite local technique is fishing with a yellow, white or olive streamer fly, trailed by a No. 12 stonefly nymph or 20-Incher. Access to the canyon section of the river still can be a problem because of snow. Expect a significant runoff when the thaw begins. Inquire in Walden for the latest.

Pearl Lake - The area still is getting snow and cold temperatures at night. Despite recent warm weather, ice remains and there is no open water. Pearl Lake fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. The bag limit is two fish over 18 inches. Please use caution on the ice. The surface gets slushy during warm days and refreezes in layers. The road to Pearl Lake is closed because of snow and will probably open around Memorial Day. At present, a 1/2-mile snowshoe or cross-country ski trek into the lake is required. Two yurts are available for camping at Pearl Lake. For current conditions, call the visitor center at 970-879-3922

Ranger Lakes - The lakes are frozen-over. They still are covered in snow and slush, with no signs of a breakup.

Rifle Gap Reservoir - The reservoir is open for boating and one courtesy ramp is in the water. Trout are very active and appear very healthy. Several thousand 10- to 12-inch rainbows were stocked last week and they are very active. The walleyes are spawning and seem to have slowed other activity. The pike and perch still are not very active. Some smallmouth bass reportedly have been caught by the boat ramp.

Rio Blanco Lake - Though early season fishing has been slow, crappie recently have become active. Standard yellow crappie jigs have been producing fair to good results. Fishing for bass, channel catfish and northern pike has not yet come around. Activity will pick up with warmer water temperatures.

Roaring Fork River - The Roaring Fork is running clear from Aspen down to Brush Creek, just below Jaffe Park. Recent river flows have been 916 cfs near Emma and 916 cfs in Glenwood Springs. Fishing below the Crystal River confluence has been touch-and-go. The nymph fishing has been superb up high, with complementary midday hatches of BWOs, especially on overcast days. Hot flies include: Flashtail Hot Eggs, San Juan Worms, Princes, red Copper Johns, STDs, BLMs, Pheasant Tails, RS-2s, CDC Loopwing BWOs, BWO Thread Emergers, Frying Pan Emergers, Para-Quill BWOs and Stimis.

Shadow Mountain Reservoir - Pumping through the canal continues, making the canal and the area where it dumps into the reservoir prime fishing areas. Open water exists out to the islands and down to the dam. The south boat ramp is open. Many fish have been caught in the canal, including a 6.5-pound rainbow and browns from 3 to 4.5 pounds. Browns and rainbows are being caught along the eastern shore. Fishing below the Shadow Mountain Dam has been good, especially down toward Granby Reservoir. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

South Delaney Lake - On Monday, the lake still had no open water. Expect conditions to change quickly if the weather is warm and the wind blows. Inquire in Walden for rmation. A habitat stamp is required to use the state wildlife area.

Stagecoach Reservoir - The reservoir still has 12-18 inches of ice, with a little open water around the inlet channel. Ice fishing has been good in recent weeks, with trout taking worm-tipped jigs and pike becoming more active. Late-season ice fishermen are urged to be especially cautious because conditions can quickly change. For rmation, visit www.parks.state.co.us

Steamboat Lake - Ice fishing has been very good all winter but has slowed down. Nice-sized fish are still being caught, but fewer of them. The area had a record year for snow. Despite recent warm weather, lots of snow and thick ice remain; the lake has no open water. Most roads are still closed, but the ice is accessible for ice fishing at the marina parking lot or by walking the ski trail on snowshoes or skis from the visitor center to Placer Cove. Don't expect ice-off until sometime in May. Please use caution on the ice as it gets slushy in warm weather and often is frozen in breakable layers. Inlet Creeks have started to open up, but most still have ice and early fish have not been moving up the creeks yet. For current conditions, please call the visitor center at 970-879-3922.

Sylvan Lake - The lake has slush atop hard ice, and ice fishing still is possible.
Trappers Lake - The lake is frozen and the road above Mile Marker 32 has not yet been plowed. Fishermen may use only artificial flies or lures. The limit on cutthroats is two fish. All cutts longer than 11 inches must immediately be returned to the water alive. Fishermen are encouraged to keep all the brook trout they catch.

Vega Reservoir - Winter is still around at Vega, with approximately 1-2 feet of snow on the ground and 15-20 inches of ice on the reservoir. About two feet of open water can be found around edges of the lake, and slushy ice is on top of 15-20 inches of rotten ice. Ice anglers have been catching some 12- to 14-inch rainbows, with mealworms being the bait of choice. Please use caution when entering the ice, as it is quickly rotting and becoming hazardous. Plateau Creek is open and running at the southeast end of the reservoir; however, you will need snowshoes to access it.

White River - The river has come up and on Monday was flowing at 677 cfs near Meeker. The water is discolored and fishing is difficult.

Williams Fork Reservoir - Open water is expanding out from the river inlet at the south end and around the small stream by the west boat ramp. Fishing for rainbow trout by the inlet and around the open edges has been good. Rainbows of 3-6 pounds have been caught. The reservoir also has some large northern pike. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions.

Williams Fork River - Monday's flow was 142 cfs. The tailwater has been the only reliably clear stream in the area, but higher releases from the reservoir appear likely. In the meantime, look for trout to be moving into riffles and shallower runs. Nymphing with the usual small patterns such as Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Princes and Hare's Ears will remain the most productive technique, though some weighting might be necessary. Midges still might emerge in midafternoon, and some blue-wing-olive mayfly activity is possible.

Willow Creek Reservoir - The reservoir still is ice-locked. This is a beautiful area with easy fishing access. It generally gets less fishing pressure than other area lakes. Worms, Power Bait and salmon eggs are commonly used. Inquire in Granby for updates.

Wolford Reservoir - Wolford Mountain Reservoir was ice-free on May 2. The boat ramp is in and usable. Fishermen are doing very well from shore using mostly spinnerbaits. Because of the runoff, the north inlet area is very murky. Better fishing is found from the campground toward the dam.

Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) - The river has come to life and flows are starting to rise. The upper stretches have seen very good early fishing. It can be very difficult to access due to deep snow. State-park-managed boat ramps will open this weekend. Fishing should be good until midday flows muddy the water. With these colder temperatures, fishermen will definitely see more trout than bass or pike. It will take some time before the warm-water fish really liven up. A long runoff appears in store, so get your gear in line but be patient.

Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) - The Yampa through Steamboat Springs has been up and down, reflecting variations in the weather. On most days it has been muddy, and though the section through town might become fishably clear for a brief time after a cold night, the tailwater below Stagecoach Dam offers the only reliable conditions. Midges and a few blue-wing-olive mayflies have been evident there. The tailwater can become crowded, however.

Southeast Region
Adobe Creek Res. (Blue Lake) - Water temperatures are in the mid 50s. The high-water ramps are usable. A fire ban applies to the area. Though windy conditions have discouraged most fishermen, crappie fishing is improving. Anglers have been catching crappie using minnows and small, green Twisters. The crappie fishery appears to be rebounding after relatively high water in 2007, following several low-water years. The lake also has a good population of saugeyes and fishing for them should be good. Catfish are another attraction and the lake has both blue and channel cats, including many large ones.

Antero Reservoir - Antero is mostly open. Shoreline fishermen have reported poor fishing, with many dead fish along the bank. The lake is closed to all watercraft until further notice in an effort to control the spread of zebra mussels. Some degree of winter kill most likely has occurred. DOW biologists will assess the situation after ice-out. If the winter kill was minimal, expect good fishing for large rainbow, cutthroat and brown trout, with brook trout and splake running 14-18 inches. The daily bag and possession limit is two trout with no size restrictions.
Anticline Lake - The small lake below Pueblo Dam is stocked with catchable-sized trout through the spring, until the water becomes too warm. Try worms, Power Bait, salmon eggs and small spinning lures.

Arkansas River #3 (Through Pueblo) - Flows have dropped a little from last week. Monday's volume was 477 cfs. This makes wading a challenge, but not impossible. The clarity is in the murky range, fish are sitting in deep, pocket-water areas. Amazing hatches of BWOs have been occurring, but the fish are picked up best in the lower water columns. Fish deep and use dark attractors.

Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) - Sunday's flows in this reach were 350-450 cfs, with good visibility. Caddis larvae in the morning and blue-wing-olive nymphs in the afternoon continue to be good producers. Look for a good blue-wing-olive emergence on Wednesday, when cooler weather and some cloud cover are expected.

Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) - Releases from Twin Lakes were ramped down over the last several days to give a Sunday flow at Granite of 334 cfs. Flows probably will be back up in the 500s by the weekend. Caddis larvae and blue-wing-olive nymphs have been consistent producers. Look for a good blue-wing-olive hatch on Wednesday, when showers are in the forecast.

Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) - The river below Salida has undergone a major transformation this week due to a reduction of water released from Twin Lakes. While flows will probably return to the 700-800 cfs range by the weekend, expect flows below 600 through Wednesday. With the lower flow, the caddis hatch has resumed, and as of Sunday had progressed upstream as far as Cotopaxi. Hatches have not been thick, but fish are coming up to caddis adult and pupa patterns out of anticipation. Expect a good blue-wing-olive hatch Wednesday, when cooler, wet weather is expected.

Beckwith Reservoir - The lake has been stocked with catchable-sized trout this spring. The lake also has largemouth bass, crappie and bluegills, which become more active with warmer temperatures. Boaters have access near the south end of the dam. Only electric motors may be used.

Blue and Bear Lakes - The lakes are frozen and will remain that way until at least May.
Bonny Reservoir - Not many fishermen have been observed yet. The water temperature is about 56 degrees. Catfish soon should start biting along the north shore. The lake level is below the boat ramp, but hand-launch boating is allowed. Check the State Parks Web site for current boating conditions.

Brush Hollow Reservoir - Fishing for stocked trout has been good, with salmon eggs and Power Bait getting the best results. Fishing for bass has been slow, as has fishing for catfish in the evenings and at night. No crappie have been reported yet. Trout will remain the main catch through the spring and early summer. Fishing for the warm-water species including walleyes will improve as the water temperature rises. Wakeless boating is permitted. A habitat stamp is required to use the state wildlife area. A mercury advisory by the Colorado Department of Public Health is in effect for walleyes of a certain size.

Catamount Reservoirs, North & South - The reservoirs remained closed last week because of ice on North Catamount but probably will open sometime this week. See the entry for Crystal Creek Reservoir for hours. Water levels should be good to excellent this year, and 20,500 catchable trout will be stocked during the summer. Very good fishing for rainbow trout is expected on both lakes. Both also have lake trout and North Catamount has cuttbows of 2-3 pounds. Early season fishing for lake trout on North Cat should be fairly good. North Cat is restricted to fishing with artificial flies and lures.

Cheesman Reservoir - The north side of the Goose Creek arm has reopened for fishing. Current reports are unavailable; however, fishing for trout likely will be slow, but fish will be large. Fishing for 12- to 17-inch smallmouth bass should be fairly good. The reservoir also has kokanee salmon, northern pike and yellow perch.
Clear Creek Reservoir - The lake is ice-free. Few fishermen have been trying their luck. The lake remains about half full. The reservoir was drawn down to conservation-pool level last summer, but is expected to refill this spring. Stocking of catchable trout will resume this spring and fishing should be very good. The south river-fishing-access area will be closed for construction at least another month.
Cottonwood Lake - The lake remains mostly frozen, with open water by the inlet and outlet. Ice fishing is not recommended. The road is open all the way and is in good condition.
Crystal Creek Reservoir - Crystal is ice-free and open for the season. Opening-week fishing for pan-sized rainbow trout has been excellent on orange or yellow Power Bait and worms. The lake is part of the Pikes Peak North Slope Recreation Area, accessible from the Pikes Peak Highway and requiring payment of a fee at the highway tollgate. Hours of operation will be: May 1-22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; May 23-Sept. 1, 7 a.m.-8:30 p.m.; Sept. 2-30, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. on weekends and 8 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays; closed on July 20 for Pikes Peak Hill Climb auto race. Good water levels are expected, and fishing for catchable-sized trout should be very good. A trails system offers easy shoreline access.

Daigre Reservoir - The lake is free of ice. Though fishing pressure has been light, fishing for trout has been fairly good. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures at the lake.

DeWeese Reservoir - Fishing still is good at Deweese. Power Bait and salmon eggs seem to work best. Cuttbows and rainbows are averaging 13 inches, with a few of 16-18. The water still a bit cool for the smallmouth bass, but several tiger muskies in the 35- to 30-inch range were caught last week on crawfish lures. Habitat stamps are required of everyone using the wildlife area.

Elevenmile Reservoir - Open water can be found at the west end and along much of the shore, but on Monday the lake still had a 35-percent ice cover. Boating is not yet available.

Fountain Lake - Like other urban lakes in Pueblo, this one is stocked with catchable trout through much of the year except during the heat of summer. Most standard baits and lures are effective. The lake also has some catfish that can grow quite large.

Hayden Meadows Reservoir - On Monday, the lake was half-covered with unsafe ice. It should be ice-free by Mothers Day. Though only a few fishermen have been trying it, fishing in the open water has been fair on most baits.
Horseshoe Reservoir - The ice is gone, the water level is good and boating is possible. The dock was to be in place by Monday. Fishing for pan-size trout has been fair to good. Tiger muskies and warm-water fish have not become especially active with the cold water temperature. The lake has good populations of largemouth and smallmouth bass, including some exceptional quality fish, as well as bluegills, sauger and catfish. Call the park office at (719) 738-2376 for current conditions.

Jefferson Lake - At above 10,000 feet in elevation, the lake usually remains frozen until late May or early June. Fishing for stocked rainbow trout, occasional holdovers and a few brook trout should again be good. The lake also has mackinaw, and ice-out is the best time to catch the larger fish from shore.

John Martin Reservoir - Both state park boat ramps are in the water. Fishing has been slow - one fish per 5-6 hours of fishing, on average. Trout from Lake Hasty and catfish in the spillway. Crappie reported in spillway last week but none this weekend. A few white bass and wipers have been caught along the north shore. Some saugeyes and channel catfish have been taken from the river below the dam. Endangered bird closures are in effect on the south shore, and a fire ban is in effect for the area.

Karval and Kinney lakes - Both lakes and the nearby Hugo SWA ponds have been stocked with catchable-sized trout, though Karval received fewer fish. Fishing pressure has been light, primarily because of the weather. Fishing for catchable-sized rainbows has been fair to good on Power Bait, salmon eggs and night crawlers on Kinney and the SWA ponds. All also have most of the common warm-water species, though fishing for them has been slow because of cold water temperatures. Roads leading into the ponds are likely to be muddy. Fishermen need to remain on maintained roads.
Lake Henry - Few fishermen have been trying their luck at Lake Henry. Water temperatures are in the mid 50s. The water level at present is good, and the boat ramp is in good shape. The lake has a growing number of crappie, catfish that average 2 1/2 pounds, and lesser populations of saugeyes and wipers.
Lake Meredith - Few fishermen have been on the water this spring. Water levels currently are good, boat ramps are usable and water temperatures are in the mid 50s. DOW sampling last fall revealed a good number of small crappie, as well as saugeyes, bass, channel catfish and sunfish, but the majority of fish were nongame species.

Manitou Lake - The lake is ice-free. The popular U.S. Forest Service lake north of Woodland Park is heavily stocked with catchable-sized trout through the summer. Fishing success largely depends on the stocking. Weekdays are less crowded. The water level is good, but some weed growth can hamper fishing. Payment of an entry fee is required. Campgrounds and other amenities are nearby.
Martin Lake - The boat ramp is open and the dock is in for the season. Fishing for walleyes is starting to come around. A catfish weighing 15 pounds and 31 inches long was caught last week. This fish was caught with a worm on the bottom. Fishing for pan-sized trout has been fair to good, and a 45 1/2-inch northern pike was caught out of the lake. Though heavy recreational boating can make fishing a challenge, this small lake has populations of bass, bluegills, catfish, northern pike, walleyes, saugeyes, wipers and yellow perch, all of which have some quality fish. Weed beds are expanding, improving fish habitat but making fishing more difficult. Expect some excellent pike-fishing opportunities this summer. Call the park office at (719)738-2376 for current conditions.

Montgomery Reservoir - The lake near Hoosier Pass is closed for fishing until June 1.

Monument Lake - This 40-acre lake is ice-free, the water level is good and catchable-sized trout recently were stocked. Fishermen were doing especially well for the trout on Power Bait of various colors. Catfish and other warm-water fish have been stocked the past few years and should provide additional opportunities when the water warms up.
Monument Reservoir - Fishing for rainbow trout and a few browns has been very good. Effective baits include salmon eggs, corn-flavored eggs, blue neon Power Bait and doughballs. The Stonewall Volunteer Fire Department will host a fishing tournament at the lake on May 10. Live minnows may not be used as bait in Eastern Slope waters above 7,000 feet in elevation and on virtually the entire Western Slope.

Nee Gronda Reservoir - Construction of a ramp extension is under way and should be completed within the week. Through high winds and up-and-down surface temperatures, wiper and saugeye fishing is improving. Anglers catching these fish in good numbers by wading out and casting white or chartreuse jigs. Some of the wipers have been in the 8- to 9-pound range. May and June are the prime times for saugeyes and wipers. Slow trolling or drifting with jigs or crankbaits tend to get the best results. Nee Gronda also has good populations of white bass, crappie, smallmouth bass and catfish.

Nee Noshe Reservoir - A few small wipers have been taken recently but overall, fishing has been slow. Nee Noshe is very low, at less than 500 acres and dropping. Anglers should be aware of very soft mud on the north and west sides. The boat ramp no longer is usable. Construction of a low-water ramp is planned. Until that is completed, anglers must use hand-launched boats or float tubes. The lake still has some larger-than-average wipers, saugeyes and catfish.

Nichols Reservoir - Nichols is accessed by a hiking trail leading down from the Rampart Reservoir dam. The main entry to Rampart is closed until about May 1, making access to Nichols impractical. The reservoir is heavily stocked with catchable-sized trout and generally offers better-than-average fishing through the summer.
North Lake - Fishing for 12-inch rainbow trout and some nice-sized splake has been good. Fly-rod fishermen appear to be having the best success. Effective fly patterns include brown and green Woolly Buggers, black Pistol Petes and Gray Gnats. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures at North Lake. Habitat stamps are required of all visitors to the state wildlife area, unless excluded by age or disability.

OHaver Reservoir - On Friday, the lake was about 20 percent open. The road was passable by standard vehicles but not by campers. Complete ice-out sometime this week is likely. Because of very little ice fishing last winter, early season fishing for holdover trout should be quite good.
Palmer Lake - The water level has improved significantly. Catchable-sized trout were stocked last week. Anglers also report catching some holdover trout the past few weeks. Additional trout will be stocked as long as good water conditions remain. Re-establishment of the warm-water fishery will require some time.
Pikeview Reservoir - Fishing for recently stocked rainbow trout has been fair to good on the usual baits and small lures. The lake also has some saugeyes up to five pounds, a few sublegal tiger muskies and catfish. A paved, designated parking area is available. Other amenities include a wheelchair-accessible sidewalk to one of two fishing piers and enclosed pit toilets.
Prospect Lake - Stocked rainbow trout are the main attraction, but the lake in Colorado Springs also has crappie, channel catfish, saugeyes and wipers, which should be approaching size of interest to fishermen this summer. In addition to catchable-sized trout, the lake usually also gets some larger (15- to 20-inch) brood fish from the state hatchery system.
Pueblo Reservoir - The reservoir remains full, and with the water temperature in the low to mid-50s, fishing is gradually picking up. Look for crappie in 20-30 feet of water in the west end, and smallmouth bass a few feet above the crappie. A couple of large walleyes have been taken by jigging, but fishing for catfish and wipers still has not come round. Inspection of boats for zebra mussel containment has begun. The reservoir has a good population of mostly sublegal walleyes and a stable population of wipers in the 12- to 26-inch range, in addition to smallmouth, largemouth and spotted bass. The reservoir also has channel and flathead catfish and some yellow perch and crappie.

Quail Lake - The Colorado Springs city lake is heavily stocked with catchable-size trout in the spring. Catfish become active when the water temperature reaches 60 degrees, and fishing for bluegills and yellow perch should be fair after May 1.
Queens Reservoirs - Upper and Lower Queens reservoirs are dry.

Rampart Reservoir - At last report, ice still covered much of the surface. Some open water was reported around the Rainbow Gulch inlet. Ice fishing is not permitted. The main entry will not be opened for at least another week. In the meantime, anglers may walk down the Rainbow Gulch trail. Early season fishing for rainbow trout and mackinaw usually is good, and the reservoir is stocked with catchable-size trout through the summer. The DOW will be conducting a creel-census survey this summer. Anglers are asked to cooperate.
Runyon Lake - This is one of several Pueblo-area lakes stocked with catchable-size trout through much of the year. Try night crawlers, Power Bait, salmon eggs and a variety of small spinning lures. The lake also has some channel catfish that can grow to impressive size.

Skaguay Reservoir - Some open water has appeared by the boat ramp and the spillway. Some trout are being caught on Power Bait and Pautzke's Balls of Fire. Remaining ice is unsafe. Open-water facilities include a boat ramp. Wakeless boating is mandatory and a habitat stamp is required. The creek below the dam offers fishing for brown trout.

South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Elevenmile) - Flows have been running around 250 cfs. Though fish are tending to gather in deeper pools, fishing has been on the slow side. Midges remain the primary hatch.

South Platte River, Deckers area - Monday's flow below Cheesman Dam was 702 cfs, after a surge of higher water late last week. Expect slow fishing until conditions stabilize.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir - Trout fishing is excellent, with most of the action in the morning. Red/orange egg patterns, Woolly Buggers and Kastmasters have been productive. Northern pike fishing is poor.

Tarryall Reservoir - The lake was almost ice-free late last week. Fishing for holdover trout was fairly good. Good fishing for 11- to 16-inch rainbow and Snake River cutthroat trout and occasional larger browns is expected this spring and summer. Northern pike are growing in size and numbers. Anglers are encouraged to keep all the pike they catch. Wakeless boating is permitted. A habitat stamp is required of all visitors to the state wildlife area.
Trinidad Reservoir - Trinidad Lake is currently about 850 surface acres, with the temperature around 49 degrees. Fishing for rainbow trout has been good since the lake has been ice-free. Some bass, catfish and walleyes also are appearing in the catch. The boat dock has been installed. The entire campground and bathhouse were opened on May 1. Boaters beware of floating debris and unmarked hazards as the water level continues to rise. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for bass and walleyes at Trinidad Lake. For further information, call the visitors center at 719-846-6951.

Turks Pond - Fishermen have been catching recently stocked trout and catfish. A few saugeyes and wipers have been caught, as well. Most have taken white or chartreuse jigs. Some of the wipers have been in the 6- to 12-pound category. Very few crappie, bluegills or largemouth bass have been caught. The water level is low and at present, only hand-launched boats can be used. Water levels should improve in the near future as well repairs are completed.

Turquoise Lake - The reservoir remains covered with ice that is slushy on top. The only vehicle access still is at the dam. The lake has an abundance of mostly small lake trout. Most anglers fish for them from the east and south shorelines, finding good action through June, before mackinaw move into deeper water. The bag and possession limit is two lake trout. Stocking catchable trout from the Leadville National Fish Hatchery resumed last year and will continue in 2008. Try the standard baits, lures and flies. Occasional large brown trout also are taken here. Two boat ramps and U.S. Forest Service camping facilities are available.
Twin Lakes - Both lakes are ice-covered, with the usual open water below the power plant and the connecting channel. Fishing there has been fair for good-sized rainbows. Remaining ice is unsafe; stay off. The population of lake trout is on the rebound, with fish averaging just under 20 inches, but with some up to 40. At ice-out, the areas near the hydropower plant and where the channel from the upper lake enters the lower provide some of the best mackinaw action. Casting large Rapalas is effective then. Later, fishing from boats with downriggers or deep-water jigging with sucker-tipped Gitzits works best. The lakes are stocked with catchable trout, and fishing for rainbows generally is good through the summer.
Twin Lakes (Mt. Elbert) Forebay - The forebay has open water. Fishing for catchable-sized rainbows and a few cutthroats has been good on Power Bait and worms. A few small mackinaw have been taken on jigs with sucker meat. Some crusty snow remains around much of the shore. The forebay has a good population of mackinaw that average 17 inches but run up to 40. Early season fishing for lake trout usually is good for anglers casting large Rapalas from the south shore. The forebay also has a good number of rainbows and is stocked through the summer. The lake-trout limit is one fish. All mackinaw between 22 and 34 inches must be released. Carry-on boats and float tubes are permitted, but boaters should be mindful of the potential for extreme fluctuations.
Two Buttes Reservoir - Precipitation from last summer has evaporated and Two Buttes Reservoir again is dry.

Valco Ponds - Three of the old dredge ponds along the Arkansas River below Pueblo Reservoir are open for fishing. They offer saugeyes and channel catfish, as well as some decent-sized bass and bluegills, and are a great place to take kids. Limited-harvest fishing for the bass is strongly encouraged to protect their population.
Wahatoya Reservoir - The lake is ice-free, but few fishermen have been on the water recently. Early season fishing for trout has been fairly good. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures. Boats with motors are prohibited.

Southwest Region
Animas River - Low runoff has discolored the river. Muddy conditions are likely to continue through the main runoff into early summer. The river has been fishably clear on colder days, but the action has been slow and discolored conditions return with warming weather.

Beaver Creek Reservoir - Ice still covers most of the lake except for the inlet. Anglers reported fair fishing for rainbow and brown trout using worms.

Big Meadows Reservoir - The reservoir remains frozen and unsafe. During the winter, U.S. Forest Service Road 410 is closed and access is limited to snowmobiles or hiking in with snowshoes.
Blue Mesa Reservoir - The Iola basin is 100 percent open and the boat ramp is usable. The lake around the Elk Creek and Lake Fork marinas still was frozen last weekend. Look for full ice-out by May 2 or May 3. Brown-trout fishing is good along the shorelines using Rapala-type lures and marabou jigs.

Conejos County (high country lakes) - The high country remains frozen and snowed-in.

Conejos County (small streams) - Small streams remain mostly ice-covered and inaccessible due to the high snowpack.

Conejos River - Fishing on the Conejos has been fair for brown and rainbow trout, with little fishing pressure. Flows on the Conejos have increased to around 570 cfs at Mogote. Winds have been blowing consistently. High runoff is expected. Angling techniques include deep nymphing (e.g. stonefly patterns in combination with a #16 Pheasant Tail or Chironocone), streamer fishing, spinner fishing and bait. The Conejos has two sections of special fishing regulation waters: From the upper boundary of Aspen Glade campground to Menkhaven Resort, artificial flies only and a daily bag and possession limit of two trout 16 inches or longer, and from the confluence of the South Fork to the lower bridge at Platoro, artificial flies and lures only, with a daily bag and possession limit of two trout 16 inches or longer.

Crawford Reservoir - The lake offers fishing for trout, northern pike, yellow perch, crappie, largemouth bass and catfish. Overall, the fishing over the weekend was reported as fair to good. Other than perch, all species were being caught. Effective baits included flies, worms and lures, sometimes in combination. Success was about equal from the bank or from a boat. The buoys have been put back into the lake, and both ramps and docks are in service. The water level of the lake is full. The water remains cold, so use caution when out on the lake and good luck.
Dolores River (lower) - Flows of 500 to 3,000 cfs below McPhee Dam can be expected until mid-June. When the spring runoff ends, dam releases will be reduced to about 70 cfs for the remainder of the summer. To monitor the highly variable flows, log on to the Dolores Water Conservancy District Web site at http://www:doloreswater.com/releases.htm.

East River - The East on Monday was flowing at 566 cfs, up from last week. On all but the coolest days, it has been discolored and difficult to fish. Streamer flies or dead-drifting a Copper John or Pheasant Tail nymph along the bottom might take a few trout. Though the river might still be fishable on cool days following cold nights, the runoff appears to be under way.

Echo Canyon Reservoir - The reservoir is free of ice. Early season fishing for holdover trout and possibly some perch usually is good. Recent stocking of catchable-sized trout will improve the odds. Bass will become more active when the water warms up.

Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) - Flows are up to 3,200 cfs. The road down to fish the East Portal has reopened. Rainbows are spawning, so watch the redds. Fish frequently hold closer to the edges at higher flows. Look for an afternoon hatch of BWOs. During off-hatch times, go small (#20-24) and use midge-larva, pupa or emerger patterns. For the BWOs, use #18-20 WD40s, Flashback Pheasant Tails, Copper Johns, Adams and Parachute patterns. When in doubt, throw on a red San Juan worm, an egg or a Woolly Bugger in combination.

Gunnison River (through the canyon) - The flow in the Gunnison Gorge has been 3,560 cfs and should remain about that level for some time. Due to the high water, fishing has been slow. Fish the high water by working the back side of runs. San Juan worms, Prince Nymphs, egg patterns, mayflies and caddis have been the most-used flies the past few days. The North Fork is not low enough to wade. A commercial shuttle/return-boat service will be available in the spring through the Pleasure Park.

Gunnison River (Upper from Almont to Blue Mesa) - Monday's flow was 1,370 cfs, up a little from a week ago. The upper reaches might still be fishable, but the Ohio and Tomichi Creek tributaries have muddied the lower portions. Expect a prolonged runoff. Though conditions are marginal, deep-drifting weighted nymphs such as stonefly patterns, large Pheasant Tails, Prince Nymphs, 20-Inchers, cased caddis imitators, Copper Johns, egg patterns and San Juan worms might produce some fish below Almont. The key is fishing near the bottom and fishing slowly. Spinners and weighted streamer flies also can be effective.

Jackson Gulch Reservoir - Ice has finally released its grip and the lake is filling fast. The boat ramp is open. Fishing for 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout has been very good. The west road and west-side fishing access are open. No ice remains in the inlet cove. Rainbow-colored Power Bait and night crawlers have been working. Small in-line spinners, worked fairly slowly near bottom or trolled, will also work. Use small jigs tipped with a worm suspended about 20 feet under a slip bobber for the perch along the dam. Boat rentals are available this summer. Call 970-533-7065, 970-882-2213 or check the link below for current conditions.

La Jara Creek - La Jara Creek has been fishing well for brown trout. Fishing has been good on worms, spinners and artificial flies. Trout spook easily, so anglers should take a stealthy approach when fishing the creek. A vehicle closure on the La Jara Creek State Wildlife Area is in effect through the Thursday before Memorial Day weekend, so access to the creek from the state wildlife area is by foot or horseback only.

La Jara Reservoir - The reservoir remains ice-covered and inaccessible.

McPhee Reservoir - The lake is ice-free, but the water remains cold. Early season fishing for trout can be fairly good. Look for crappie fishing to take off in a week or two, and bass to become active a little later. A slot limit applies to bass. All smallmouth and largemouth bass 10-15 inches long must be returned to the lake immediately.

Miramonte Reservoir - The ice is completely gone, the boat ramps are open and the docks should be in place by the weekend. Fishing from the banks has been fair, with people catching mostly 10- to 14-inch rainbows on Power Bait and salmon eggs. Some larger fish also have been reported, and a few browns have been noted. A new diversion structure built by the DOW is functioning well, so the water level should remain more stable. The 405-acre lake south of Norwood offers potentially good fishing for larger-than-average rainbow trout. The DOW stocks subcatchable rainbows, which grow to size in the lake. Crayfish are a primary source of forage for the trout, and crayfish-imitating flies and lures generally work well.
Mountain Home Reservoir - The reservoir is free of ice and about half full. Fishing for 17- to 19-inch rainbow trout is reported as good from boats and shore using lures and Power Bait. Both boat ramps are accessible; however, anglers should use caution when launching boats.

Narraguinnep Reservoir - The reservoir is free of ice. Fishing for pan-sized trout has been fair to good.
Navajo Reservoir - The water temperature is 52 degrees, the level has come up 3 feet since March and the water may be stained from runoff. Conditions again were very windy last week. Fishing for crappie in Bancos and Euel canyons has been fair on the calmer days. Soft-plastic grubs and minnows have been producing. A few northern pike have been taken on spinnerbaits but the overall activity has been poor. Fishing for bass has been slow on the Colorado side of the reservoir. Look for crappie to move over the tire habitat structure as the water warms. Call 970-883-2628 for rmation. The marina, offering minnows and other supplies, is open for the season.

Pastorius Reservoir - The reservoir south of Durango is free of ice, but a significant winter kill of warm-water fish has occurred. The lake will be stocked with catchable-sized trout by early May. The warm-water fishery also will be re-established, but will take some time.
Platoro Reservoir - Platoro Reservoir is ice-covered and inaccessible because of snow.
Ridgway Fishing Ponds - The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of Ridgway State Park is excellent for children because it has the only water below the dam that is not restricted to artificial flies and lures or catch-and-release fishing. A limit of four trout may be kept there, both by children and licensed adults (16 years or older).

Ridgway Reservoir - The lake is free of ice and the boat ramps are open. The water level is dropping and the temperature is in the 40s. Fishing should improve when the water warms up a little.

Rio Grande High Country Streams - High-country streams are iced-over and generally inaccessible.

Rio Grande River - The river is stained, with little fishing action from shore. Boat anglers report good action for brown trout on streamers, stonefly nymphs and Woolly Buggers.

Road Canyon Reservoir - The reservoir is 90 percent ice-covered, but open along the dam and inlet. Fishing is for rainbow and brook trout is slow.

San Juan high-country lakes, streams - High country waters are frozen and generally inaccessible.
San Luis Lake - The San Luis Lake is free of ice, but has not been stocked. The water level is low and the boat ramp is not usable.
Sanchez Reservoir - The lake is free of ice. Sampling last fall documented an abundance of walleyes ranging from 13 to 23 inches in length, in addition to northern pike. Pike fishing is picking up with warming water temperatures. A 9-pound pike was caught last weekend. Most anglers are using cut baits (suckers) from shore.

Smith Reservoir (San Luis Valley) - The reservoir is ice-free and has refilled after very low water last summer. Trout fishing was reported as slow, but harvested fish have been of quality size.
Summit Reservoir - The lake was chemically treated to remove non-native white suckers last summer and has been restocked with 20,000 eight- to nine-inch rainbow trout. The trout should be 10-11 inches next summer, providing some good opportunities for fishermen. Additional stocking of catchable and subcatchabe trout also is scheduled.
Taylor Reservoir - The reservoir remains covered with snow and ice. Ice-out is at least a month away.

Taylor River - Monday's flows were 523 cfs at Almont and 395 cfs below Taylor Dam. Portions of the river may be fishably clear, but wading has become difficult. Dead-drifting a weighted nymph along the bottom or working streamer fly might still be productive on the lower river. Look for tributaries to rise and add discoloration with warmer weather. The tailwater directly below the dam has some exceptionally large rainbow trout, but the area attracts large crowds the year around. Mysis shrimp and midges are the go-to patterns. Think small - sizes 18-24.

Trujillo Meadows Reservoir - Trujillo Meadows Reservoir is frozen. Expect a late ice-off.

Tucker Ponds - The ponds still are covered with ice.

Vallecito Reservoir - The lake was stocked with 45,000 12- to 13-inch rainbow trout last November in hopes they would elude Vallecito's northern pike, acclimate to lake life and continue growing under the ice. At last report, the lake still had ice. Fishing for trout should be very good after the ice melts. Fishing for pike up to 15-20 pounds usually is excellent during the first 4-6 weeks after ice-out. A mercury advisory has been issued for consumption of northern pike from the lake.

Williams Creek Reservoir - The reservoir remains frozen.

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