Fishing Report - Northeast (9/24)
Regions: Denver Metro, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest
Antero Reservoir (Park County)
Not much in the way of changes this week. The fishing is good for trout above the weedlines and along the south end. The weather is turning cold, especially at night. Morning fishing activity is hot with a mid-day lull if the sun comes out through the more frequent cloud cover.
Boyd Lake State Park (North of Loveland, Larimer County)
Trout fishing has been good lakewide this past week with a variety of lures being successful. Bass fishing has picked up in the past few days with largemouth bass hitting Rattle Traps in the north end. Smallies are biting a bit slower. For smallmouth, try plastics on the south near the Pump House. No changes on bluegill, carp and yellow perch - slow for all. Catfish are fair on crank baits at the north end of the lake. Crappie are reported to be taking minnows on the south end and near the Marina. Walleye fishing has been good on the north end with bottom bouncers in deep water. The current water temperature is estimated to be hovering in the mid 70's with a depth of 30.87 feet (approximately 540 Surface Acres, 32% from fullest capacity). 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)
All boat ramps are still open. Walleye activity is fair. Trout fishing is picking up with cooler weather. The forecasted rains may improve fishing this coming weekend, especially for the early morning hours. Inspections for invasive mussels are required before entering any Larimer County waters so please check times for inspections.
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) Boaters are having the best success throughout in 10-20’ of water. Shore fishermen are reporting the best bite from sunrise to late afternoon along the south side from Witcher’s Cove to Lazy Boy. Rainbow and chartreuse PowerBait are hot, Nightcrawlers w/PopGear or floated with a marshmallow. If using lures try Tazmanian Devils, Kastmasters or Trout HDs for the best success. Pike (GOOD - VERY GOOD) Reports are in of big pike being caught along the west end of the reservoir. Try using large spoons, tube jigs or spinner & stick baits. Salmon (FAIR) Last reports of success were in the main channel out from North Boat Ramp and around Deer Island. Try Arnies Dynamic, Needlefish or Pop Gear with wedding rings.
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. Currently, water levels are low in many of our ponds. Kriley and Slough Ponds are recommended. Each angler is allowed four fish per day with eight being the maximum number in position. 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)
No report this week from Larimer County. Shore anglers can access the northernmost bays of Horsetooth Reservoir through Lory State Park. A valid fishing license and state parks pass are required.
Jackson Lake State Park (Morgan County)
Some of the water edges are muddy. Water temperature is approximately 70 degrees. Shore fishing in the lake has been good for channel catfish and fair for all other species. The reservoir is very low. Our boat ramp is closed due to no water at the ramp. We will allow hand carry vessels (canoes, belly boats, etc.) but one will have to carry them out to the water.
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)
Due to low water levels and oxygen deprivation, North Sterling State Park has suffered a nearly complete fish kill. As the primary function of North Sterling Reservoir is to store irrigation water, the water level has been severely drawn down during 2012, leaving a relatively small pool of water for fish to inhabit. Recent winds across the shallow pool resulted in a turnover, where water near the surface of the pool was forced to the bottom of the pool and water near the bottom of the pool is forced to the top, effectively mixing the whole pool. Water at the bottom of the pool is low in oxygen due to decaying organic matter. When this water is mixed throughout the pool the oxygen level throughout the entire pool is driven down, leaving little oxygen for fish to survive. CPW staff will work to aggressively restock the fish in the reservoir beginning next spring if water levels improve. Due to severely low water levels in Jumbo Reservoir, Prewitt Reservoir, and Jackson Reservoir, anglers who would like to fish in the upper northeast corner of the state are encouraged to fish at Jumbo Annex Reservoir or Stalker Lake.
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 - VERY GOOD) Reports are showing successful catches from the east shoreline. Callibaetis, Wooly Buggers and Damsels are the most productive flies. Rapalas in silver and blue and Tazmanian Devils in red are all doing well. Pike (GOOD) Pike action is picking up throughout the reservoir. Try crank or jerk baits, large tube jigs, & Tazmanian Devils. South Platte above Spinney – Streamflow is at 67.6 cfs on 9/12/12 at 3:45 pm. Dream Stream – (GOOD) Large fish are being caught with Pheasant Tails, Midges, Baetis and Barr’s emergers. Also try Wooly Buggers, San Juan worms, BWO’s and PMD’s. Stream flow is at 90.2 cfs on 9/12/12 at 3:30 pm.
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.
