Northwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

August 31, 2010

Colorado River (near Granby) -- The water flows below Windy gap and below Parshall are 145cfs and 279cfs respectively. Copper Johns, RS-2s, Prince nymphs, chartreuse wooly buggers, yellow colored flies, and other emerger patterns, Joe's hoppers, grasshopper and egg patterns are doing well. In the immediate Granby area and downstream to the bridge at the lower end of Byers Canyon, bait fishing is permitted and two fish may be kept. From the east side of the bridge abutments (the west end of Byers Canyon) down to Troublesome Creek, including the Williams Fork River from the reservoir, catch-and-release rules apply and fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. Cooler nights and mornings make better fishing conditions, keeping the water cooler and the fish more active. 8/29/2010

Delaney Buttes -- The fishing action on the Delaney's is really picking up. Anglers are having good, to excellent success for big trout, using a variety of dry flies and hardware

Dillon Reservoir -- The launch ramp at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm daily weather permitting. The only boat launching areas will be at the Dillon and Frisco marinas. All boats launched and retrieved at the Dillon Marina will require an Invasive Species Inspection. We recommend that you check ahead with the marinas staff for hours of operation before you launch or retrieve your vessel. Inspection station hours will vary during the year depending on weather and time of season. We recommend that you check ahead with the marinas staff for hours of operation. The launch ramp at the Dillon Marina will be open 8:30am to 5:30pm daily weather permitting. The only boat launching areas will be at the Dillon and Frisco marinas. Phone (970) 468-5100 for information

Elkhead Reservoir -- The water has improved in clarity and the fish are on. This lake has really turned on. We are seeing very nice fish being caught and a variety of species. Large Pike in the 13-15lb range, Cat fish in that same 15lb range and great Small Mouth are being taken. Crappie fishing has really slowed, but they are still being caught on the north end. ANS inspections will continue through September and the boat ramp will remain open. We will close the ramp Oct. 1, but hand launch and shore fishing is still available.

Frying Pan River -- Depending on the stretch of the river, flows have been around 13cfs to 164cfs. We're still seeing fish actively feeding on shrimp. Sight fishing on the flats is just about as much fun as you can have on the Upper Pan right now.

Granby Reservoir -- Fishing in the early morning and late evening are still the best times. Colder nights and brisk mornings are making fishing better and the fall spawning season is just around the corner. Trolling, using deep diving lures, lead line, and downriggers can find kokanee and lake trout. Jigging is very productive. Fly fishing the inlet streams, the Colorado river below Shadow Mountain and Arapaho Creek is very good; streamers, wooly buggers, emergers egg patterns, and some dry flies are working well. Rainbows can be found all around the reservoir. The water level is still high. Arapaho Bay is also fishing well. 8/29/2010

Grand Lake -- Nights are becoming colder and mornings are brisk. Fish activity will be picking up. This lake is over 270' deep. It can be difficult, but very rewarding to learn to fish this lake. Very large lake trout, nice rainbows, browns, and kokanee salmon are available. Trolling, jigging, bait, lure, and fly fishing are all productive ways of catching these fish. Belly boats are useful. Two prime bank fishing areas are the mouth of the channel and around the West Portal. From Oct. 1st-June30th, all lakers 26-36 inches long must be released immediately. Rapalas, Mepps, Panther Martins, and Blue Fox spinners are only some of the lures used. Jigging with sucker meat is common and productive. 8/29/2010

Green Mountain Reservoir -- Fishing is slow due to the heat and activity on the lake. Trout are being caught on nightcrawlers, power bait or salmon eggs. Popular colors for lures are hot pink, orange, red and green. Best fishing times are early morning and evening.

Pearl Lake -- 7/15/10 Anglers are having some luck at Pearl. As usual though, it is a very picky lake to fish. All areas and campground are open and fishing is good. Remember all boats on trailers have to be inspected before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key words for a fast inspection. Use this link to view our Hahn's Peak web cam that we turned so you can see the cove behind the Visitor Center http://165.127.23.131/view/index.shtml

Rifle Gap Reservoir -- The water level is low, and has resulted in a very muddy shoreline. The best access to the lake is from the rocky points and outcroppings. Trout fishing is fair to slow, with the best action being on rainbow Power Bait, fished off the bottom. All other species are reported as slow.

Shadow Mountain Reservoir -- Most of this reservoir is shallow, but trolling the channel, spin or bait fishing the east shoreline north of the dam can be productive. Fishing the pump canal, the area around the mouth of the canal, and below the dam can be highly rewarding using flies, slip bobber rigs, lures, and nightcrawlers on the bottom. Early morning pumping makes the canal and the area where it enters the reservoir, prime fishing sights; kokanee, rainbows, and browns are being caught. Small jigs tipped with wax worms, mealworms, power bait or eggs are commonly used. The flow rate below the dam is low, but the spillway is fishing well. All species of fish that reside in the reservoir are being caught in the spillway area. Cooler weather is coming and will increase fish activity. 8/29/2010

Stagecoach Reservoir -- Due to park construction and decreasing water levels, the reservoir measured 7 feet below full on 8/28. The muddy shore line is exposed and algae is highly visible. The reservoir will close to trailered watercraft on September 7th for the season. Hand launch vessels are permitted at visitors own risk until ice on. With decreasing water levels, the flow at the tailwaters is estimated to stay at 142 cfs through September. Midges, San Juan worms, emergers and RS2's have been working well for fly fishing the tailwaters. Brightly colored PowerBait, Kastmasters, and trolling with a crayfish lure have yielded some larger sized trout in the reservoir. Pike activity has increased due to cooling water temperature, which is at 67 degrees.

Steamboat Lake -- 7/15/10 Fishing is still good all around. As of last weekend, most anglers are using a variety of baits and doing well. Meadow Point and Rainbow ridge are very popular all day long. The coves won't hit hard until the weekend. Remember all boats on trailers have to be inspected before launching. CLEAN DRAINED and DRY are the key words for a fast inspection. Use this link to view our Hahn's Peak web cam that we turned so you can see the cove behind the Visitor Center http://165.127.23.131/view/index.shtml

Trappers Lake -- No current fishing report is available at this time

Vega Reservoir -- Vega is open for boating. Fishing is picking up and should continue to improve throughout the year

Williams Fork Reservoir -- Rainbow and brown trout, lake trout, northern pike and Kokanee are available. Boat inspections and ramp access are from 6:00AM to 8:00PM seven days a week; ramps are closed at night. Bank fishing is good at the inlet and by the east boat ramp. Rainbows have been plentiful and large. Bait fishing using bottom rigs, jigs, trolling worm harnesses are productive methods of catching fish as well as lures and fly fishing. Early morning and late evening remain the best times to fish. Some nice cloudy, rainy days can make fishing good throughout the day. Inquire in Granby for the latest conditions. From buoy line at Williams Fork River inlet upstream to first CR bridge: Fishing and snagging prohibited Sept. 15-Nov. 30. 8/29/2010

Willow Creek Reservoir -- Rainbow, brown trout and Kokanee salmon are available. This is a beautiful area with easy fishing access around the boat ramp area and the next bay. If a person likes to hike, taking the trail to the inlet area can be rewarding. This reservoir is a good place to take kids, and gets less fishing pressure than other area lakes. Worms, Powerbait, salmon eggs and many different lures are commonly used. Trailered boats are still not allowed on the reservoir. Fly fishing is also very productive from shore and out of canoes kayaks and belly boats. Inquire in Granby for updates. As the weather cools down, fish activity is picking up. 8/29/2010

Wolford Reservoir -- No fishing report available.

Yampa River (Hayden through Craig) -- The Yampa is cleared and has dropped fast. Fishing has been very good all through the valley. Fishing dry flies as well as nymphs is very effective right now. Rapalas and rooster tails are working like a charm. Fish early or late; mid day seems to be slow right now. Fish the seams and deeper pools. As water temperatures increase, be very aware of your landing techniques if you are going to release. The floating season is coming to an end until water levels increase. Hayden pump station is closed so float fishermen will need to move down stream or walk-wade. Double bridges west of Hayden will temporarily close after Labor Day due to stream bank work. It will re-open later this fall.