Northwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

January 17, 2012

Dillon Reservoir: Ice thickness is more than 12” throughout the reservoir. Kokanee action in the Snake River arm has slowed down as spawning activity has dwindled. However, some fish are still being caught.

Granby Reservoir: Ice is 8-12” thick throughout the reservoir. There is very little snow on the ice this year. Some large pressure ridges have formed on the lake, and caution must be used in attempting to cross them. Fishing has been good for lake trout in 20-90 feet of water, with fish generally found on the bottom.

Green Mountain Reservoir: Ice averages 12” throughout the reservoir. Fishing has been fair and consistent for suspended small lake trout. The bag limit for lake trout is 8 fish and harvest of small lake trout is encouraged. The access gate on the northern end the reservoir has been opened.

Harvey Gap Reservoir:  As of January 10th, ice has not yet capped the entire reservoir, and snow cover is almost non-existent.  The east inlet area is still open, and open areas exist near the dam.  Moving from east to west, ice thickness increases from 7" near Cottonwood camping area to 9" in the west inlet area.   Yellow perch have been taken reservoir-wide, and anglers have also had luck with trout (rainbow and brown), as well as northern pike and black crappie.  Anglers are having luck fishing near the bottom using a small ice jig tipped with salmon eggs, or meal and wax worms.   The 2012 Rifle Gap Ice Fishing Tournament will be held January 21st and 22nd.  Contact the Rifle Chamber of Commerce to register and for more info at:  970-625-2085 ext. 4; www.riflechamber.com (Calendar of Events).  Always take precautions, such as wearing a life jacket and a long rope tied to a shoreline anchor, and drilling test holes.  Ice rescue stations are located in several locations throughout the park.Weekly updates on ice conditions and angling success will be provided on the Colorado State Parks website. Anglers may also contact Harvey Gap/Rifle Gap State Park, 5775 Hwy. 325, Rifle, CO, 81650; Phone:  970-625-1607.

Pearl Lake: The lake is iced over at this time. Ice is approximately 15” thick. Ice fishing for cutthroat trout and grayling are allowed. Please note that only flies & lures are allowed, with a bag limit of two trout 18” or longer. The road is only maintained to approximately ¾ of a mile from the lake. Anglers have to ski or hike from that point. Fishing has been picking up recently with decent catches being reported. Weekly updates on ice conditions and angling success will be provided on the Colorado State Parks website. Anglers may also contact Steamboat Lake State Park at (970) 879-3922 or steamboat.lake@state.co.us.

Rifle Gap Reservoir: As of January 10th, ice has not yet capped the entire reservoir, and snow cover is almost non-existent.  The east inlet area is still open, and open areas exist near the dam.  Moving from east to west, ice thickness increases from 7" near Cottonwood camping area to 9" in the west inlet area.   Yellow perch have been taken reservoir-wide, and anglers have also had luck with trout (rainbow and brown), as well as northern pike and black crappie.  Anglers are having luck fishing near the bottom using a small ice jig tipped with salmon eggs, or meal and wax worms.   The 2012 Rifle Gap Ice Fishing Tournament will be held January 21st and 22nd.  Contact the Rifle Chamber of Commerce to register and for more info at: 970-625-2085 ext. 4; www.riflechamber.com (Calendar of Events).  Always take precautions, such as wearing a life jacket and a long rope tied to a shoreline anchor, and drilling test holes.  Ice rescue stations are located in several locations throughout the park. Weekly updates on ice conditions and angling success will be provided on the Colorado State Parks website. Anglers may also contact Harvey Gap/Rifle Gap State Park, 5775 Hwy. 325, Rifle, CO, 81650; Phone:  970-625-1607.

Ruedi Reservoir: Ruedi is still predominantly open water, with some ice formation at the inlet.  Typically, ice fishing can occur safely toward the end of January – though mild weather conditions this year may push this later into the winter, if at all.  Fish that can be caught in Ruedi include lake trout, kokanee, rainbow trout and brown trout. As well, anglers may catch illegally introduced yellow perch and are encouraged to remove them from the lake. Local contact info for water: U.S. Forest Service, P.O. Box 948, Glenwood Springs, CO, 81601, Phone: 303-963-2266.

Shadow Mountain/Grand Lake: The Farr Pump Plant pumped intermittently over the past month, destabilizing the ice in the area where the pump canal enters Shadow Mountain Reservoir and the channel entering Grand Lake. Ice conditions elsewhere are good. Call Rocky Mountain Outfitters at 970-798-8021 for current conditions.

Stagecoach Reservoir: Fishing has been very good for catchable rainbow trout in the coves and inlet areas. . Trout in the 16” - 18” range are being reported in the catch, but most are averaging 12" to 15". Fishing has been productive off of Keystone Point and in Morrison Cove, with larger trout coming out of Morrison Cove. An assortment of terminal tackle has been producing, such as jigs tipped with powerbait, wax worms, night crawlers, tube jigs, castmasters, solo night crawlers, spoons, etc. Ice jigs and meal worms have been producing well. Good numbers of trout have been caught in the 15’ -20’ depth range. The ice is approximately 10 inches thick, with minimal snow cover.  Extreme caution is advised near the inlet of the reservoir as ice cover is minimal. Northern pike fishing has been slow. Harvest of northern pike is strongly encouraged. Weekly updates on ice conditions, access, accommodations and angling success will be provided on the Colorado State Parks website. Anglers may also contact Stagecoach State Park at (970) 736-8342 or stagecoach.park@state.co.us.

Steamboat Lake: Fishing has been good for rainbow trout and Snake River cutthroat trout in approximately 8–10’ of water. The Marina cove area, in particular, has been fishing fairly well. The ice is approximately 15” thick with minimal snow cover. An assortment of terminal tackle has been producing, such as jigs tipped with powerbait, wax worms, night crawlers, tube jigs, castmasters, jigging rapalas, etc. Weekly updates on ice conditions, access, accommodations and angling success is provided on the Colorado State Parks website. Anglers may also contact Steamboat Lake State Park at (970) 879-3922 or steamboat.lake@state.co.us.

Sweetwater Lake: The ice on the reservoir is approximately 12” thick and safe for access, but it is always wise to exercise caution.  Trout fishing has been excellent.  Recommended tackle:  wax worms have been very productive.  The lake is stocked with rainbow trout and contains wild brook trout and brown trout. Feral kokanee are occasionally caught, as well. For up-to-date conditions and local information, contact the U.S. Forest Service- White River National Forest, Phone: 303-945-3255.

Sylvan Lake: Ice cover remains good, though variable conditions do exist, so use caution.  In mid-December, 14” rainbow trout were stocked into the lake.  The lake is stocked with rainbow and cutthroat trout and wild brook trout also reside in Sylvan Lake.  Tackle suggestions:  wax or meal worms with colorful small jigs.  Also, try the beaver ponds on West Brush Creek between the visitors center and the lake.  Updates on ice conditions and angling success are provided on the Colorado State Parks website. Anglers may also contact Sylvan Lake State Park, 10200 Brush Creek Rd., P.O. Box 1475, Eagle, CO, 81631, Phone: 970-328-2021, sylvan.lake.park@state.co.us.

Vega Reservoir: As of January 10, the reservoir is capped with ice, with ice thickness varying across the reservoir, especially near the inlets.  Trout in the 12"-16" range are being reported by anglers targeting shallow water areas.  Anglers are having luck fishing near the bottom using a small ice jig tipped with salmon eggs, or meal and wax worms.  Always take precautions, such as wearing a life jacket and a long rope tied to a shoreline anchor, and drilling test holes.  Ice rescue stations are located in several locations throughout the park. Weekly updates on ice conditions and angling success will be provided on the Colorado State Parks website. Anglers may also contact Vega Reservoir State Park, P.O. Box 186, Collbran, CO 81624; Phone: 970-487-3407

Williams Fork Reservoir: Ice is 12-15” throughout the lake with little snow. Motorized access is not allowed on the reservoir. Fishing has been fair for small lake trout. As of January 1, the bag limit for lake trout has increased to 8 fish per day, with no more than one fish over 30 inches. Harvest of small lake trout is encouraged.

Wolford Reservoir: The main boat ramp gate is open, allowing motorized access onto the lake. Ice is 15” thick throughout the lake.  Fishing has been fair to good for rainbows and some browns in 12-16 feet of water using standard ice fishing jigs tipped with meal worms.