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.