COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE

Fishing Regulations Report

Friday June 21st, 2019 Review News and Information

Upcoming Fishing Tournaments and Events

CPW’s family ‘Cast, Blast N’ Twang in Craig offers prizes for catching tagged trout Saturday, June 22nd Colorado Parks and Wildlife annual ‘Family Cast, Blast N’ Twang at the Wyman Museum in Craig will offer a fun twist this year. Anglers can catch one of five tagged trout and win a prize, or test your archery skills during the evening’s archery competition.

State and local agencies warn of the dangers present on Colorado’s rivers, streams, and lakes Following a strong winter and wet spring that overloaded the mountain snowpack, the statewide levels were 625 percent above the median.

Take a Friend Fishing, Hook Great Prizes This year, CPW and our partner Colorado fishing companies are encouraging anglers to take a friend fishing. As a reward for sharing your expertise and love of fishing, we have created a contest for mentors who take the time to pass on their knowledge.

Now you can take the #ColoradoOutdoors anywhere. Follow us on @instagram @coparkswildlife! http://instagram.com/coparkswildlife

Check out our CPW community on Facebook. Colorado anglers can “like" the CPW Facebook page to get tips, share stories and more. If you love the outdoors, this is the place to be. Before you head out, head for facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/.

Fish with us on Twitter Colorado anglers can get updates directly from CPW on Twitter. Follow @COParksWildlife.

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us Stocking Report

Water Region Date Stocked

Poudre River #2 Northeast 6/10

Poudre River #3 Northeast 6/10

Lost Lake Northeast 6/10

Tarryall Reservoir Northeast 6/10

Rifle Gap Res Northwest 6/10

Avery Lake Northwest 6/10

Chalk Creek Lake Southeast 6/10

Riverside Ponds Southeast 6/10

Wrights Lake Southeast 6/10

San Isabel Boy Scout Lake Southeast 6/10

Twin Lakes Southeast 6/10

Mountain Home Reservoir Southwest 6/10

Smith Reservoir Southwest 6/10

Stabilization Reservoir Southwest 6/10

Trout Lake Southwest 6/10

Bellaire Lake Northeast 6/11

Ben Delatour Pond Northeast 6/11

Pine Valley Ranch Lake Northeast 6/11

South Platte River North Fork Northeast 6/11 #1A

Slough Pond Northeast 6/11

Kriley Pond Northeast 6/11

Teal Lake Northeast 6/11

Walden Lions Park Pond Northeast 6/11

Wahatoya Lake Reservoir Southeast 6/11

Daigre Reservoir Southeast 6/11

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us Bear Lake Southeast 6/11

Blue Lake Southeast 6/11

North Lake Southeast 6/11

Taylor Reservoir Southwest 6/11

Central City Park Pond Northeast 6/12

Seymour Res Northeast 6/12

Granby Res Northwest 6/12

Shadow Mtn Res Northwest 6/12

Dillon Res Northwest 6/12

Turquoise Lake Southeast 6/12

Rampart Reservoir Southeast 6/12

Mallard Pond Southwest 6/12

Bittersweet Lake Northeast 6/13

Centennial Lake Northeast 6/13

Slack and Weiss Res Northeast 6/13

Williams Fork Res Northwest 6/13

Granby Res Northwest 6/13

Blue Lake Lower Southeast 6/13

Catamount Reservoir North Southeast 6/13

Catamount Reservoir South Southeast 6/13

Ridgway Reservoir Southwest 6/13

Roaring Judy Ponds Southwest 6/13

Pericles Pond Southwest 6/13

Georgetown Lake Northeast 6/14

Monument Reservoir Southeast 6/14

Skaguay Reservoir Southeast 6/14

Dome Lake Upper Southwest 6/14

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us

Catch of the Week

Great catch Mark Dempsey, 31 inch 13 lb Channel Catfish!

Have a fish you are proud of? Share your photo! Email [email protected] and put “Catch of the Week” in the subject line

Conditions Report – Metro

Aurora Reservoir This 762-acre impoundment is located off E. Quincy Avenue, two miles east of E-470. Open to boating. Electric motors only. As of 6/20/2019, trout fishing is slow to fair from shore. Boaters are reporting fair to good success on trout trolling with lures and fishing with crawlers off the bottom in 20-25’ of water. Walleye action has been slow to fair. A few reports of smallmouth and largemouth bass being caught off the points and in the coves using soft plastics, flies and swim baits. For more information call 303-326-8425. Park hours May 5:30am-9:00pm. Restricted to electric motors only. Aurora Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir This 1,356-acre impoundment is located in Chatfield State Park. As of 6/14/2019, water temperatures are in the high 50’s to low 60’s. Anglers targeting smallmouth are having success on tube jigs and swimbaits along rocky shorelines. Walleye anglers have been reporting a lot of success using live bait rigs along the underwater roadbeds. with paddletails has also produced some good walleye action and some slightly larger fish. Trout fishing has been fair with most fish being caught on nightcrawlers floated about a foot off bottom. Fish have seemed to be most active in the evening hours. Chatfield Reservoir

Cherry Creek This 881-acre impoundment is located in Cherry Creek State Park, in Aurora. There are two entrances to the park, the east entrance off S. Dayton St. and the west entrance off S. Parker Rd., As of 6/20/2019, water temperatures are reaching upper 60s, but this may change with the cooler weather over the weekend. The reservoir was stocked on 6/3/2019. Walleye bite has been consistent with the majority of anglers having greatest success in the mid-morning. Cherry Creek Reservoir

Quincy Reservoir As of 6/20/2019, Bass fishing is fair to good. Best action has been in the early morning and evening. Reports of smallmouth bass being caught off the dam using jigs. Restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Some reports of perch being caught using jigs. Only watercraft capable of being launched by hand permitted. Vehicles and trailers are mot permitted in the water. For more information call 303-326- 8424. Park Hours June 5:00am-9:30pm.Quincy Reservoir

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us

Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado

Antero Reservoir As of 6/20/2019, water temperatures are in the high 50’s. An increase in water temperature translates to more and more hatches occurring. Anglers are reporting Callibaetis and Damselflies being the next to hatch. There have been many reports of nice browns being caught as well as a few real quality cutbows. Anglers are having the most success fishing the deeper sections of this shallow reservoir. Antero Reservoir

Deckers and Cheesman Canyon As of 6/20/2019, flows have significantly increased throughout the week (mid 200’s) to right around 576CFS. With increasing flow, look for fish near the banks and any pockets. Dry fly action has been inconsistent as of late and with increased flows anglers will have best luck with nymphing rigs. With high water take extra precaution when wading. Flows: 579 CFS (6/20/2019) Deckers and Cheesman Canyon

Eleven Mile Reservoir As of 6/20/2019, water temperatures are being reported around 56 degrees. TROUT: EXCELLENT: The fishing is great and the bite even better. Many Cuttbows ranging 14 to 20 inches. Occasional Browns and Cutthroats have also been landed. Most methods are working from shore or boat. Boaters are having a grand time on the troll but you can drift and pitch and still do OK. Bite times vary throughout the day. Early and mid-morning is the best. Same baits are working with color pattern variations depending on time of day. Can’t go wrong with Pink. Chartreuse Dynamac by Arnies or the Arnies Reflecto in Green have caught some big fish. This is a great time to go through the tackle box and see which lure catches the biggest. Cowbells and pop gear for those that like that angle are best trolled super slow with a 3 foot leader tipped with crawler. Since the rivers are most difficult, if not impossible to fish, a fly rod from a boat is both successful and avoids the elbow-to-elbow crowd seen on the dream stream. Kalibeatis hatch coming on daily late morning. Work two flies on one rig. Gold bead nymphs are a favorite.

KOKANEE SALMON: FAIR: They have been showing up in shallow water. This is a bad sign of things to come. These fish are disoriented and dying from Gill Lice. We have seen it before. They are typically by themselves and are not biting. You can net them if you wanted. Meanwhile out in the deep action continues to be sporadic but you can still catch them if you are in the right place at the right time. The backside of Duck Island has been consistent but you need to be careful of the rocks. They seem to be holding right at the drop offs from the island. You can be in 60 feet of water and hit 30 just like that. Also, work the channel from Duck through North Shore to Goose Island. Tas Devils, Macks’s Wedding Rings, Dick Nite’s, Needledish and Kastmasters have all caught fish. We have been tipping our hooks and that seems to help. Pautzke Fire Corn in Natural or Pink has performed well.

NORTHERN PIKE: FAIR TO GOOD: More fish are being reported by anglers. Although a few big ones have been tagged, most are running 24 to 30 inches. Work the weed line along the overflow channel West of Stoll or the channel from Suckers Cove East to the wash out and then down to Lazy Boy. WE still like Howbert to Witchers and coves in between. Big sticks, big tubes and Spinner Baits have done well. Mid morning to early afternoon. Wind is your friend if you can handle it. Water gets murky fish get aggressive. Eleven Mile State Park

Staunton Ponds As of 6/20/2019, ADA accessible fishing pier is complete and ready to be fished from. Please contact the park about how we can provide an accessible fishing experience. There is no public access below the dams on Elk Creek Road. Do not drop people or equipment off at this location. For more information contact park staff at 303-816-0912. Staunton State Park

Tarryall Reservoir As of 6/14/2019, fishing continues to be excellent for trout. The most productive baits have been PowerBait or artificial salmon eggs. Anglers have reported quick limits of fish being caught. Anglers fishing with lures have had the most success using small blue and silver Kastmasters. Tarryall Reservoir

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado

Adobe Creek Reservoir As of 6/20/19, Crappie and white bass are being caught from boats. Blue Lake has always been a popular catfish destination, and plenty of large channel cats and blue cats inhabit this lake. Carp are being caught from shore. Adobe Creek Reservoir

Arkansas River-Below Pueblo Reservoir As of 6/20/2019, The tailwater is currently high 3,000cfs, as water is being moved downstream due to heavy runoff from this winter's snowpack. It appears the heavy flows will continue for at least the next month. With the high flows, fishermen should use caution while fishing the tailwater. Flows: 3960 CFS (6/20/2019) Lake Pueblo State Park

Arkansas River – Buena Vista to Canon City As of 6/20/2019, water temperatures are hanging in the 40s. Flows are way up compared to last week as a lot of runoff has been entering the waterway. This is causing poor visibility and challenging conditions for anglers to compete with. Due to fast flows, fish will be looking for any slower moving sections of river (banks, pockets etc). Large streamers, large dries with droppers will likely be the most productive route. With fast high water, be extra careful if you find yourself wading. Flows: 3690CFS (6/20/2019) Arkansas River

Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area 6/14/2019 High Water Advisory in Effect for Pine Creek Rapid, Numbers, and Royal Gorge.

Horse Creek Reservoir As of 6/20/2019, A few white bass and largemouth bass are being caught from both boats and shore.

John Martin Reservoir As of 6/14/2019, the lake is about 20 feet low. The recent stretch of consistent weather has the fishing picking up with anglers reporting days of catching over 30 white bass with ease. Reports indicate the number of crappie being caught are steadily increasing from both boat and the shore. John Martin Reservoir State Park

Pueblo Reservoir As of 6/20/2019, Surface temperature is 65 degrees. Fishing for walleye and bass has been good lately due to the cooler spring temperatures. Mister twisters, jerkbaits, and crankbaits are good bets for walleye and bass. Trout fishing with bait has been fair from the shore. There have been a few reports of wipers being caught while trolling. Be sure to check the 2019 Fishing Brochure for updates on new Pueblo Specific Regulations for 2019. Boat Ramp/Inspection Station hours are currently 5:00am to 11:00pm. Lake Pueblo State Park

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado

Blue River – Silverthorne As of 6/21/2019, flows have increased to above 900 cfs. Although flows are up some anglers have still been able to get into some nice fish. With high water, fish will be looking for any area that offers some slower pockets that offer some current relief. Banks and pockets should hold the majority of the fish. With increased flows out of the dam be sure to have your mysis shrimp ready to go. Warm weather should produce decent hatches so don’t be afraid to throw a few dries at actively feeding fish, nymphing heavy rigs will still be the most productive this week. Flows: 922 CFS (6/21/2019) Blue River

Colorado River – Near Kremmling As of 6/14/2019, flows continue to increase steadily. Fishing on the Colorado River has been tough but dedicated anglers can have success. The only few reports of success are coming from anglers using spoons, or jerk baits fished in the current. Fly anglers are also having some success nymphing large flashy flies such as flashback pheasant tails or stonefly imitations. Try out a multiple nymph rig to test fish in various depths. Flows: 2390 CFS (6/14/2019) Colorado River

James M. Robb Colorado River As of 6/20/2019, trout fishing is good on all lakes using a variety of baits, flies and lures. Please ensure the responsible and ethical release of fish and properly dispose of . James M. Robb Colorado River

Lake Granby As of 6/14/2019, fishing for lake trout has been successful with sucker tipped jigs. Anglers are also reporting excellent rainbow fishing from shore using a variety of baits and lures. Lake Granby

Lake John As of 6/21/2019, Lake John is fishing better and better, day by day but it’s still slower fishing then most are used to here for this time of the season. It’s just been a colder start to the season and it’s taking its sweet time warming up. This is both good and bad…. Good that the mosquitoes aren’t horrible yet and really just barely starting to show up but bad in the sense that fishing is taking a little bit linger to become as active as people are used to. We do have some pictures to share and the average size is continuing to be nicer this year compared to last year. Still a mix of items working well right now including flatfish, Kastmasters, Rapala’s, nightcrawlers, green garlic Powerbait and salmon egg peach Powerbait. We are seeing top water action on midges, chronomids, and mini leeches. Lake John

Steamboat Lake As of 6/14/19, creeks are continuing to run quickly. The lake is ice-free and fishing has been great so far! Please use caution when fishing near moving water. Flows this time of year can be dangerous. Steamboat Lake State Park

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado

Blue Mesa Reservoir As of 6/14/2019, the water level has started to stabilize as outflows through the dam have increased. There is still a large amount of floating debris present in the reservoir so anglers are encouraged to use caution when navigating on a boat. The reservoir is open for boating, boat inspection hours are 6:00am to 8:00pm 7 days a week, launching will be available at the Elk Creek Boat Ramp as well as the Lake Fork Boat Ramp. Reports are coming in from anglers stating that trolling has been excellent. Fishing for trout has still been good casting jigs and jerk baits along shore, if you are not having success look a bit deeper as the fish are staying slightly deeper with rising water levels. Trolling for kokanee salmon has been getting better each day. For more information, contact Curecanti National Recreation Area at 970-641-2337. Blue Mesa Reservoir

Gunnison River – near Gunnison As of 6/21/2019, flows have decreased slightly since last week. Anglers are still having the most success using nymphs in the slower deeper pools. Other anglers have had some limited success fishing the small pockets of slack water behind larger rocks. Worms, stonefly, and mayfly nymphs as well as caddis larva have been working on trout. Look for flows to increase as the Gunnison Basin has well above average snowpack. Flows: 4630 CFS (6/21/2019) Gunnison River

Navajo Reservoir As of 6/17/19, Fishing at Navajo has been good. The lake is rising every day. The current lake level is 6061.33, up 13.13 feet from one year ago. The water temperature at the boat ramp in Arboles is 64 degrees. Fishing for small mouth bass and pike has been good. The best fishing has been in the shallow coves as the lake rises. The best lures are crank bait and large lures resembling bait fish for pike. Some crappie are still being caught along structures. John Deere green jigs are good. Navajo State Park

Ridgway Reservoir As of 6/20/19, Ridgway Reservoir: fishing for trout is good has been most productive lures of choice are worms, salmon eggs, spinners, and Rapala’s.

Fishing Ponds: at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk have been fishing well with small worms, Powerbait, and egg imitations. Recent stocking of catchable size rainbow trout. Ridgway State Park

Taylor River – Below Taylor Park Reservoir As of 6/21/2019, flows out of Taylor Park Reservoir are increasing and the water is gaining size daily. Reports have been coming in from anglers using emergers, mysis shrimp and baetis nymphs with success. With the increased flow, fish are moving to deeper waters and some in pocket water. Do not be afraid to try stonefly nymphs and midges in these sections. Flows: 822CFS (6/21/2019) Taylor River

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us Conditions Report – Statewide

River flows have picked up around the state due to high runoff coming from our heavy winter snowfall. Fish are still being caught in streams but it has become more difficult. Anglers around the state will be looking to sections of the river where water flow is at its slowest, think banks and pockets. Majority of anglers will be turning toward lake fishing until the flows start to settle down. Lakes have been fair in clarity as they are also seeing a great increase in runoff feeding in. Water body temperatures are on the rise and it is producing more and more hatches. Keep an eye on these hatches so you can throw your most qualified fly or lure.

Tip of the Week

Monster Browns After Dark

Fishing for big browns at night is a tradition, if not an addiction, for many savvy anglers. Brown Trout are often referred to as nocturnal, but this is not the case; rather, they are more of a nocturnal feeder. During the day, browns will stay hidden under brush, along cutbacks and under logjams.

Brown Trout will take a variety of flies, bait and lures during the day, but the big boys come out to play at night.

Traditional at night can be very productive for big browns, providing you have a fairly good knowledge of fly casting techniques. Fly fishing in near dark or total darkness can be an adventure, complete with tangled line and potential traps wherever you step.

Some of the largest browns are caught during the summer at night. The dark of the moon is especially productive. During the dark of the moon phase, you truly have trouble seeing your hand in front of your face. The use of a flashlight or headlamp with a red lens is a necessity; avoid white light to save your night vision.

Wool Buggers, Zonkers, and Leeches are very productive streamers; recommended sizes are #4s in black, purple, brown, and dark blue.

Have a suggestion or request? Email us at [email protected] We would love to hear back from our subscribers regarding fishing reports, tips, and requests of material you would like to start seeing more of. Any useful feedback helps us make our fishing reports a “go to” resource for anglers fishing Colorado’s waters. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************** DNR Fish Reporter

COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 1313 Sherman St., Denver, CO 80203 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us