Southwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

August 31, 2010

Animas River -- Finally, the monsoons arrive (with a vengeance!) and water levels are up. Bad news, expect turbid conditions at times. Fishing has been generally slow.

Beaver Creek Reservoir -- The Colorado Division of Wildlife will be raising the level of the water at Beaver Creek Reservoir to approximately 20' below the spillway. The water level will be maintained at this level so that state engineers can inspect the dam and related structures. The water may need to be maintained at that level for the entire summer. However, fishing continues at the reservoir and the fish will likely become more concentrated with less water in the reservoir. Several reports indicate anglers are having good success and catching their limits. Anglers are advised to be cautious on the steep-sided slopes

Blue Mesa Reservoir -- Mature Kokanee salmon are beginning to move up towards the inlet area of the lake. Large schools of fish can be found from 40 to 70 feet down. Trolling remains effective with larger offerings in pinks and green. These salmon can be caught using spoons vertical jigging once a large school is located. Small lake trout and browns are also being caught throughout the lake trolling minnow imitations and spoons from 25 to 60 feet deep. Water temperatures are beginning to cool with morning temps from 68 to 70 and dropping one to two degrees per week. Boat ramps are now open from 5:30am to 9pm.

Conejos County (high country lakes) -- Conejos County has a variety of high country lakes that offer excellent trout fishing opportunities. Trout species include native cutthroats, brooks, browns and rainbows. Fishing is expected to be excellent throughout the summer.

Conejos County (small streams) -- Conejos County has a variety of small streams that offer excellent trout fishing opportunities. Trout species include native cutthroats, brooks, browns and rainbows. Currently, conditions on small streams in Conejos County are good. Fishing is expected to be excellent throughout the summer.

Conejos River -- Flows on the Conejos are around 128 cfs on the lower river and 204 cfs below Platoro. Fishing conditions are excellent. Caddis, and Mayflies are hatching and fish are feeding on dry flies. Angling techniques also include dry/droppers (e.g. stimulator dry fly followed by stonefly nymph), nymphing, spinners, and bait. The Conejos has two sections of special fishing regulation waters. The first is 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. The second is 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 boat ramp at the Iron Creek launch area is open and ready for anglers. You must have your boat inspected prior to launching at any time of the day. This past week, anglers have been regularly catching crappie, and catfish. We have had reports of some VERY large catfish. Chicken livers and hot dogs seem to be the bait of choice. Rainbow trout were just stocked on Friday. Fishing has been good both from shore and from boats.

Dolores River (lower) -- The river below McPhee Reservoir is running 70 cfs. Large browns have made a comeback over the last 3 years; however, the fishing remains very slow.

Echo Canyon Reservoir -- Fishing for trout has been fair. Fishing for green sunfish, black crappie, catfish, and largemouth bass is good. Be prepared for very "weedy" conditions.

Groundhog Reservoir -- Fair for 10-16 inch rainbow trout and cutthroats. Fish typically move a little deeper this time of year. The lake has a lot of crayfish in it and lures/patterns that imitate crayfish could be a good choice.

Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) -- Flows are 660CFS. Clarity is Gunnison Green. Caddis and PMDs on top; try Lafontaine Caddis Pupa, Pulsating caddis below. #16 PMDs on top. Also standards like: #6 Woolly Buggers, #14 orange and green scuds, #10 GB Poxy Back Biot Stones, #12-16 GB Prince Nymphs, #16-20 Copper Johns, Pheasant Tails and Flashback PTs, and #10 20-Inchers and Halfbacks.

Gunnison River (through the canyon) -- The flow in the Gunnison Gorge is 609 cfs. Fishing conditions have been very good until August 20th. Heavy rains have caused the river to be off color. The river is starting to clear and fishing is slowly getting better. Fishermen have been using Hopper Droppers, Green hoppers. Red San Juan Worms, Red Copper Johns, PMDs, Caddis Pupa Tan #14 and any May Fly. Streamers and Big Hoppers are good right now. The North Fork is low now but off color. Call Gunnison River Pleasure Park at 1-888-782-7542 for other information.

Haviland Lake -- Fishing has slowed but still fair for 10 inch rainbow trout on Powerbait. Woolly buggers are also working well.

Jackson Gulch Reservoir -- Fishing has been excellent for 10-12 inch rainbow trout and small yellow perch (no limit). It continues to rain almost every day thus keeping water temperatures cool and fish active. Trollers have been using Panther Martins and small Rapalas. Bank anglers have had success with green Power Bait. Yellow perch love worms. Fly fishermen are successfully using various dry flies in the moving waters near the inflow and wooly buggers in the lake. Be sure to bring plenty of bait as there is no place nearby to purchase it. Jackson Gulch requires an ANS inspection before launching boats. An inspector is on duty 8AM to 8:30PM daily through Labor Day. Mancos State Park offers canoe, pedal boats and sit on top kayak rentals. For more information: www.parks.state.co.us or call 970-533-7065.

Joe Moore Reservoir -- Joe Moore has a mix of rainbow trout, yellow perch, black crappie, and largemouth bass. Joe Moore is very weedy this time of year and the warm water species should be quite active.

La Jara Creek -- Fishing on La Jara Creek has been good for brown trout. Fishing techniques include worms, spinners, and artificial flies. Flows are at approximately 10 cfs. Water is clear and low. Fish spook easily so anglers should take a stealthy approach.

La Jara Reservoir -- Water conditions are good. Fishing pressure has been light. Fishing has been challenging. The reservoir is plentiful with natural food sources, often causing the fish to be selective feeders. Fish inventories show good numbers for splake and brook trout. Good fishing for brook trout and splake is expected throughout the summer.

Lemon Reservoir -- Fair for 8-10 inch rainbow trout. Large brown trout are occasionally taken in this reservoir and some kokanee salmon.

McPhee Reservoir -- Most fish species are moving deeper into the reservoir to avoid warm temperatures. However, the anglers are still doing well for rainbow trout and kokanee salmon. Smallmouth bass fishing remains steady. A few walleye have been captured in the House Creek arm of the reservoir.

Narraguinnep Reservoir -- Walleye fishing has been fair using bottom bumpers and crayfish lures.

Navajo Reservoir -- 28 members from 5280 Basshunters club caught and released 76 nice Bass during the weekend. Better catches of crappie have been caught on minnows. Pike fishing has been good on crank baits. Kokanee are still being caught at around 40 ft deep. Fishing for catfish has been slow.

Pastorius Reservoir -- Fair for rainbow trout on Powerbait. Reservoir is shallow and weedy.

Piedra River -- The Piedra River has a good population of brown and rainbow trout. River is running high and muddy with the strong monsoonal pattern we have been in over the past 2-3 weeks.

Platoro Reservoir -- Water conditions are good. Fishing has been good on spinners and bait for browns and rainbows. Fishing for kokanee has been fair.

Ridgway Fishing Ponds -- The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk ponds of Ridgway State Park are excellent for children because they are the only water below the dam not restricted to artificial flies and lures or catch-and-release fishing. A limit of four trout per person may be kept there, by children and licensed adults, 16 years and older. The ponds were stocked again (18 August 2010). Fishing continues to be good. Try worms, grasshoppers and red salmon eggs. Fly fishermen could try a Black Woolly Bugger or gold ribbed hare's ear size #14. Good luck!

Ridgway Reservoir -- The lake is falling and is now at about 20' below spilling. Fishing is good. 1,450 additional catchable-sized Rainbow Trout were stocked the week of August 10th. This totals more than 40,000 this season. Bank anglers have been doing well using the standards: night crawlers, green power bait, red salmon eggs and silver or gold Kastmasters. Olive and Black Woolley Buggers with spinning rod and bubble are working too. The Brown trout are out of the Mear's Bay area and deep in the main reservoir. Try early in the mornings or late evenings, trolling slowly along the shoreline - in the shade - for a chance at a large Brown Trout. Remember to have your boat clean, drained and dry when you come in to have it inspected before launching. Good luck fishing!

Road Canyon Reservoir -- The Colorado Division of Wildlife has investigated the extent of a recent winter fish kill at Road Canyon Reservoir. DOW aquatic biologists sampled the reservoir and found that brook trout have overwintered in the reservoir. However, no rainbow trout were collected. The reservoir will be restocked with rainbow trout the week of May 24th and throughout the summer to rebuild the fishery

San Juan River -- The river has settled down and conditions are great. The water flows are 172 CFS

Sanchez Reservoir -- The boat ramp will be closed from 8pm to 6am daily with aquatic nuisance species boat inspections taking place when the ramp is open.

Smith Reservoir (San Luis Valley) -- Smith Reservoir was drained last fall to repair the outlet structure. The reservoir was stocked with 750 14"+ fish mid-April and 2900 catchable size fish the last week of April

Summit Reservoir -- Fishing for rainbow trout is fair. Most trout range between 12-14 inches.

Taylor Reservoir -- The lake trout are at 100 feet plus. Trolling with lures has been effective for the smaller ones. Fishing off the bottom, anchored, with worms has been working too. Trolling an apex lure tipped with a worm has also been working. Rainbow trout are really on a strong bite even with the full moon! Trolling with cowbells and nightcrawlers, or an Assassin Spinner along with cowbells have been doing very well. A few Salmon have been caught while trolling for lakers. They are stacked up in about 50 ft. of water. Not much happening with Pike right now.

Trujillo Meadows Reservoir -- Trujillo Meadows Reservoir is open and accessible. Fishing for brown trout and rainbows has been good. Fishing has been best on spinners, fly and bubble rigs, and worms fished off the bottom.

Uncompahgre River in Ridgway Park -- Water temperature on the river at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is running at about 56 degrees. The water is slightly off color with the afternoon rains. Fishing is outrageously good and dry flies are working in the evenings. I saw several fishermen hooking Rainbows over the last few evenings. Flows are around 350 cfs; Grasshoppers are out! Try a "Parachute Hopper" or a "Ginger Quill". Good luck.

Vallecito Reservoir -- Fishing has been slow for kokanee and trout. Anglers are finding smallmouth bass along the dam face and rocky points and picking up a few northerns around the lake. We will be stocking 3000 13 inch RBT in the next few weeks.

Williams Creek -- No Reports. All area streams are running high and turbid with the rain.

Williams Creek Reservoir -- Fish are moving into deeper water as the summer progresses. Try the inlet to Williams Creek.