Fishing Report - Northeast (9/10)

Regions: Denver Metro, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest

Antero Reservoir (Park County)
Cooler temps are holding up high and anglers are seeing increased activity for rainbows and browns. Try a variety of lures above the weed beds and see what works. The anglers who get the right combination are having success but the right lure seems to change throughout the day. Morning fishing continues to be best as sunshine after 10 a.m. tends to slow things down.

Bear Creek (Jefferson County)
Voluntary closure due to high water temperatures. Anglers are asked to find alternate waters in the area.

Boyd Lake State Park (North of Loveland, Larimer County)
The current water temperature is estimated to be hovering in the mid 70's with a depth of 31.8 feet - 591.30 Surface Acres, 35 percent from full capacity. Walleye fishing is reported to be good in the deep waters in the central part of the lake. Trout fishing is fair lakewide on lures but picking up as the weather cools. Largemouth and smallmouth bass activity is keeping anglers busy with success lakewide on soft tubes.  The white bass seem to prefer minnows. Bowfishing is still going well for carp in the shallows. Catfish are hitting bait near the marina, especially late . PLEASE NOTE: Any Live fish collected for use as bait may only be used in the same body of water from which they were collected. All live baitfish from a commercial source and transported by anglers must at all times be accompanied by a receipt for the source. See the Colorado Fishing Regulation for further clarification and information.

Carter Lake (Larimer County)
End of summer has not shown to be the end of the fishing season at Carter Lake. Walleye have been biting around the western end of the lake. Swim baits as well as worms have been reported as being effective in the evening and the early night hours. Trout fishing has also been good from the shore on both the south and the north ends. Most shore trout fishing reports have been from the Saddle area of the lake. As water levels continue to drop keep aware of ramp inspections and closures prior to launching boats.

Eldorado Canyon State Park, South Boulder Creek (Boulder County)
Fishing in South Boulder Creek is picking up as the weather cools down. The creek is running low for this time of year, but low water can bring great fishing. The water level is currently running at 18 cfs. South Boulder Creek holds some nice fish, mostly browns in the 8 to 12 inch range, and an occasional 12 plus inch fish. We have also seen more and more rainbows that make it down from Gross Reservoir, one recent report of a 14 inch rainbow. The water is clear, cold, and is home to an abundant number of fish. The best time to fish is 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Fish are hitting on a variety of nymphs:  #16 RS-2s, and yellow CDC flashback pheasant tails, #18 midges and purple psycho princes just to name a few, but most any dry fly we have seen success with.. For the younger kids and non fly fishers we have also seen some success with live worms and salmon eggs. Live bait spinning rods and fly fishing all permitted and success rate for each is high.  Come early (at sunrise) and avoid the picnic crowds and please be careful on the slick rocks. We also now sell fishing and hunting licenses at the Visitor Center please come in and get yours today!

Eleven Mile State Park (Park County)
Trout (GOOD TO VERY GOOD) Shore fishermen are catching all around the lake. On the North side limits are being reached at Coyote Ridge and on the South side the hot spot seems to be Rodgers Mountain. Boat fishermen are reeling them in throughout the Reservoir in 15 - 30 foot range despite the weeds. Fishermen are reporting that PowerBait (various), Nightcrawlers with marshmallows, crawfish and various lures are doing well. Pike (GOOD) Big ones are being caught throughout the reservoir. Try Pike Bunnies, CrankBaits and jerk baits from Rocky Flats to Stoll Mountain. Salmon (FAIR) There are no new reports this week. Try fishing in about 20’ to 30’ around Deer Island or straight out from the North Boat Ramp. Down Riggers are essential, try with flashers, needlefish or Arnies lures.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park Ponds (Jefferson and Gilpin Counties)
Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers five fishing ponds open year-round to all park visitors. The ponds are Kriley, Slough, Ranch Ponds East and West, and Dude's Fishing Hole. Each angler is allowed four fish per day with eight being the maximum number in possession. Anglers have the best success in the early morning and the hour before dark. No live baits are allowed with the exception of worms. Please call the Visitor Center for directions at (303) 582-3707.

Horsetooth Reservoir, Lory State Park (Larimer County)
The water levels have stayed high enough that rangers have been able to keep the south boat ramp open. Water levels are low so boaters are advised to call ahead and make sure the ramp is open. Senior Ranger Jim Hawkins says the walleye fishing is great right now. Bass fishing remains moderate.

Jackson Lake State Park (Morgan County)
The reservoir is very low due to the water release. Our boat ramp is closed due to no water at the ramp. We will allow hand carry vessels (canoes, belly boats, etc.) but you will have to carry them out to the water. Some of the water edges are muddy. Water temperature is approximately 78 degrees. Shore fishing in the lake has been fair for all species.

Jumbo Reservoir (Logan and Sedgwick Counties)
The boat ramp at Jumbo Reservoir (Logan and Sedgwick Counties) has been closed as the water level has dropped below the end of the ramp. The boat ramp will reopen next spring when water levels begin to rise. Hand- launched boats are still allowed. Shore anglers at the reservoir are asked to harvest any fish that are caught using legal methods. The fish salvage order currently in effect at Jumbo Reservoir means that size, bag and possession limits at the lake are currently lifted however only legal methods of take are allowed. No commercial fishing is allowed under the salvage order. The reservoir will be stocked next spring when water levels begin to rise.

North Sterling State Park (Logan County)
Water levels are low but the wiper fishing is good with lots of fish being caught in the 20" range. Anglers are still doing best around Darby Point. Green mussel bait or shad imitation lures are working the best. Rattle traps and soft plastic shad lures in black and silver or white and green are working by casting or trolling. Crappie are still along the dam but have slowed some with the heat. Smallmouth bass up to 15” are coming out along the rocks of the dam on small minnow imitation lures. Some catfish are being caught along the flats on the south end of the reservoir using cut shad. Best times to fish have been early morning before the heat of the day and some action in the evenings as it cools.

Prewitt Reservoir (Washington County)
Prewitt water levels have dropped and the boat ramp is unusable and closed for the rest of the season.

Spinney Mountain State Park (Park County)
Spinney – Trout (GOOD) The bite is improving. Reports of successful catches are coming in from fishermen using Callibaetis, Damsels, Caddis, midges and Hoppers. Fishermen are reporting that shore fishing is good with a variety of Tazmanian Devils and Kastmaster lures. Pike (GOOD) Reports are coming in that the bite is picking up. Try large spoons, Spinner baits and larger tube jigs along the western shorelines. South Platte above Spinney – 24.5 cfs on 9/9/12 at 5:45 pm. Dream Stream – (GOOD) Fishermen are reporting good flows. Between Spinney & "bridge", San Juan worms, Barr’s emergers, Pheasant Tails and Trico’s are working well. Between "bridge" & 11Mile, try Midges, Trico’s, Hoppers and Elk Hair Caddis. Stream flow: 87.2 cfs on 9/9/12 at 6:30 pm, gage height .92 ft.

St. Vrain State Park ponds (Weld County)
Fishing for trout is slow but warmwater species are biting well. Bass, sunfish and catfish have been biting well in the mornings and evenings and catfish are active, especially at night. Bass are being caught on a variety of soft plastics, flies, crank baits, and spoons. Sunfish have been active on worms and flies with casting bubbles. Catfish have been caught on worms and stink baits. Please note that Bald Eagle Pond has the following restrictions: 1. Fish with flies and lures only. 2. All bass must be returned to the water immediately.