Colorado Fishing Reports

Rain, snow, bright sunshine, warm temperatures, possibly all in a matter of hours … sounds like another summer day in Colorado. Indeed, the weather across the state has been variable the past week or so, and that is reflected in the outlook for fishing.

Welcome monsoonal rains drenched much of the Eastern Slope, taking the edge off the heat of summer and recharging some lowlands reservoirs. While that might have improved fishing for catfish, bass and other warm-water species in a number of reservoirs, wipers also are likely to be more active with the slightly cooler water temperatures and the recent full moon.

Young-of-the-year shad typically are near the surface, whipping the powerful white-bass/striped-bass hybrids into dramatic feeding binges, with the water all but boiling with the frenzied wipers. Early mornings and late afternoons often are the best times, though in some lakes that have heavy boat traffic, the feeding might take place at night.

A wiper bite will be hectic and memorable, but fishermen should be prepared with appropriately heavy tackle. Even so, expect to lose some lures. Breaking lines is what wipers do best.

Rain also brought some cooling relief to higher-elevation reservoirs, though mornings and late afternoons still are the peak fishing times. On the downside, rains also raised many tributary creeks along the Eastern Slope, making fishing a bit more challenging.

Snow appeared on mountain peaks in much of the state. Trails to some Alpine lakes might have been soggy from rain and melting snow, but fishing as a rule was good.

Much of western Colorado largely escaped the rain, though temperatures also were cooler. Rivers on the Western Slope remain clear and in prime condition for fishing. Mountain creeks remain at normal flows and clear. If popular rivers become a bit crowded, they offer an attractive alternative.

GRANBY WEEKEND BOAT INSPECTIONS
The Colorado Division of Wildlife, in cooperation with the U.S. Forest Service and the Northern Colorado Water Conservancy District, has begun weekend boat inspections at Granby Reservoir in an effort to curb the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive aquatic organisms.

Inspections are conducted randomly at the Stillwater and Sunset Point ramps from sunrise to sunset Friday through Sunday, when 95 percent of the reservoir’s boating typically occurs. The Arapaho Bay ramp is closed during that time. The reservoir will remain open and all ramps will be accessible at other times. Expanded inspections are planned as additional staffing and resources become available.

Boaters should make sure their vessels are clean and dry before entering and when leaving the reservoir. Vessels identified as “at risk” for spreading mussels and other nuisance species will be cleaned and decontaminated at an on-site hot-water wash station.

ANTERO BOAT INSPECTIONS
Trailered boats are permitted on the lake from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset seven days a week. All trailered boats must be inspected at the north ramp before launching. Boats must be off the water ½ hour after sunset.

TARRYALL BOAT INSPECTIONS
A boat inspection procedure for the control of zebra and quagga mussels at Tarryall Reservoir is in place. Trailered boats are allowed on the lake from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Before launching, trailered boats must be inspected at the north ramp off Park County Road 77. Hand-launched craft such as float tubes, canoes and nonmotorized rowboats are permitted at all times. Boaters may not create a white-water wake.

LIMITED WILLIAMS FORK BOATING
Williams Fork Reservoir near Parshall is open to trailered and motorized boats on a part-time basis. An inspection station at the east boat ramp is in operation Thursday through Sunday. Hours at present are 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Thursdays and Sundays, and 6 a.m. to noon and 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, but might be changed to better accommodate weekend boating traffic.

The east ramp will be open seven days a week when additional inspectors are hired and trained. The inspections are part of an effort to control the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species.

RAMPART OPEN TO PART-TIME TO BOATING
Rampart Reservoir near Woodland Park has reopened to trailered and motorized boating four days a week. The DOW is conducting inspections 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. Boats that have been launched before 5 p.m. may stay on the water until 7 p.m. Boats should be clean and dry upon arrival.

ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS AND CLOSURES
A mandatory boat-inspection program is under way at Chatfield Reservoir southwest of Denver, in the ongoing effort to control the spread of zebra mussels. Boaters are asked to arrive with their boats clean, drained of all water and dry. Boats also should be drained before leaving, and cleaned and dried before launching into another body of water.

Inspection procedures also are in place at Pueblo, Elevenmile, Spinney Mountain, Aurora, Quincy, Rampart, Ridgway and Tarryall reservoirs and Standley Lake.

Jefferson Lake north of Fairplay is closed to trailered boats and gasoline-powered boats, but open to hand-carried craft including belly boats, canoes, rowboats and boats powered by electric motors with no more than 55 pounds of thrust

Trailered and all motor-powered boats are prohibited on Clear Creek and Gross reservoirs. Sailboats also are prohibited at Gross.

Dillon Reservoir is open to all boats, but only though the boat-launching areas at the Dillon and Frisco marinas.

ZEBRA MUSSEL PRECAUTIONS
Zebra mussels are a non-native invasive mollusk that is harmful to the environment.
They can be transported over land from one body of water to another by hitchhiking on recreational vehicles including boats, jet skis and boat trailers. Unchecked, these organisms will quickly spread and out-compete native species.

They have no effective predators and have detrimental impacts on the environment, recreation, water quality and the water-transport facilities of municipal providers and irrigators.

All boaters are encouraged to follow these practices to help prevent the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species:

Drain the water from the boat, livewell and lower units of the engine.
Clean the hull of the boat
Dry the boat, fishing gear and equipment
Inspect all exposed surfaces
Remove all plant and animal material

OLD DILLON RESERVOIR DRAINING
The town of Dillon is about to drain Old Dillon Reservoir, used primarily for recreation since the main Dillon Reservoir was built in 1963. The process is expected to take about a month. Anglers are encouraged to fish at the old reservoir during the draining and before an emergency salvage takes place.

JERRY CREEK RESERVOIRS TEMPORARILY REOPEN
The Ute Water Conservancy District has temporarily reopened the Jerry Creek Reservoirs northeast of Grand Junction to the public. The reservoirs were closed last August for construction work on the dam and spillway. Most of that work is done, but a final phase requires a federal 404 permit for completion. When that permit is received, the reservoirs will again be closed for an estimated 45 days.

In the meantime, the reservoirs offer potentially good walk-in fishing for largemouth bass and bluegills. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures, and a catch-and-release provision is in effect. Anglers may use waist-high waders with float tubes, but other wading is not permitted.

HABITAT STAMPS
All people ages 19-64 must have a habitat stamp to enter a state wildlife area or a state trust land leased by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. The stamps are necessary to use state wildlife areas for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and any other purpose. Stamps cost $5 and are required on the first two hunting or fishing licenses an individual buys in a calendar year. Purchased without a hunting or fishing license, the stamps cost $10. Lifetime stamps are available for $200. People under 19 and over 64 are not required to have the stamps.
BE BEAR AWARE
Fishermen and campers are reminded that many of their favorite waters are in bear country. Taking simple precautions such as not leaving food out where bears can find it and keeping a clean camping site can avoid potential problems for people and bears alike. The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers brochures and other information for reducing the risk of bear encounters. They are available at DOW offices statewide.

LIGHTNING AWARENESS
Summertime fishing also is the time for summer thunderstorms, complete with lightning and possibly heavy rain. Colorado is among the top states in the country for recorded lightning strikes. Lightning poses some special hazards to fishermen, especially if they are on or near large bodies of water, on exposed hillsides, or carrying graphite fishing rods.

When thunderheads are building up, it’s best to get off the water quickly. Seek appropriate shelter, but avoid tall objects such as trees. If necessary, lie flat on the ground under low-profile brush until the storm passes. Don’t carry graphite rods or aluminum rod cases; leave them on the ground, find shelter and return for them later.

SOUTHEAST COLORADO SHORELINE CLOSURES
Visitors to several popular southeast-Colorado reservoirs are asked to be mindful of potential closures to protect endangered birds. Sections of shoreline at John Martin Reservoir are closed to protect piping plovers and least terns. Portions of Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake) and the Queens State Wildlife Area complex of lakes could also be affected.

The size and location of closed areas varies from site to site and year to year. Signs marking the closure areas are posted every 50-75 feet, and buoy lines are set up in the water. Despite the closures, most of the area around the reservoirs remains open to normal activities. People are encouraged to go to reservoirs and enjoy the water, keeping in mind that small portions will be marked as closed.

RECENT STOCKING
The following recently were stocked with catchable trout:

Body of Water Location

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58690 total hits since Friday January 25 2008 157 hits today.

58690 total hits since Friday January 25 2008
157 hits today.