Fishing Report - Southwest (9/24)
Regions: Denver Metro, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest
Blue Mesa Reservoir (Gunnison County)
The Ponderosa and Stevens Creek boat ramps have been closed due to low water. Large boats should use the Iola, Elk Creek or Lake Fork Ramps. Kokanee fishing slowed a bit this week but trout fishing responded with a bit of a mid-week bounce.
Crawford State Park (Delta County)
Catfish, crappie and pike have reportedly been caught in the last week. A large 30 lb. 44" pike was recently landed. Crappie as large as 12-13" have also been reported, as well as numerous smaller ones. There have been reports of a few bass as well.
Gunnison Gorge, Gunnison River (Gunnison - Delta County)
Gunnison River Expeditions provided the following information this week: "Currently the Black Canyon of the Gunnison Gorge is flowing at 483 CFS. We are expecting the river flows to start dropping into October. We have had some stone fly action in the gorge. It appears the bugs are molting their shells. Hopper droppers, Tricos, and streamers are also working well right now in the Gorge and on the lower Gunnison. For more information please call the Gunnison River Pleasure Park. "
Jackson Gulch Reservoir, Mancos State Park (Montezuma County)
Fishing has picked up with cooler temperatures. Concrete boat ramp is out of the water. Hand launch only.
Navajo State Park (Archuleta County)
Fishing has slowed some. Water temperature is currently approximately 65 degrees. Call our marina at (970) 883-2628 for more information. Colorado and New Mexico fishing licenses are available at the Visitor Center.
Ridgway State Park (Ouray County)
Ridgway Reservoir was stocked this past week. The fall colors are amazing and the fishing has really picked up with the cooler weather. The reservoir is at 61 percent capacity and holding. Both shore fishermen and boaters are reporting average fishing for stocker-sized fish (8”-14”) with a few larger fish (18”-20”) also being caught. The catch is mainly rainbows, but there have also been some brown trout, splake, and a few smallmouth bass. Shore fishermen are doing best between the Dutch Charlie fishing pier and the mouth of Mears Bay, and also along the Dallas Creek day use area shoreline. Shore fishermen should try green, orange, and pink PowerBait, or worms off the bottom; Kastmasters and Mepps are the favored lures. Boat fishermen are having luck with Rapalas and Kastmasters near the dam, along the west shoreline and around the opening to Mears Bay. Fishing in the Uncompahgre River at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is very good. The river flows are currently at around 103 CFS, depending on the downstream call for water. Fly fisherman are doing well on Wooly Buggers (brown), Copper Johns, and Pheasant Tails (red is doing well); small midges are also working. Spin fisherman are doing well with Mepps and Panther Martins. Please remember that the Uncompahgre River in Pa-Cu-Chu-Puk is restricted to flies and lures only, and all fish caught must be returned to the river immediately. The ponds at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk have a good population of rainbows and some brown trout. Fishing in the ponds has been average. There have been occasional larger fish (18”-20”) caught. Fishermen have been doing best with worms and salmon eggs near the surface in the mornings and evenings, and various colors of PowerBait off the bottom at other times. Remember that the Uncompahgre River adjacent to the ponds is restricted to flies and lures only.
Taylor Reservoir (Gunnison County)
Here's an update from the folks at Taylor Park Marina: "Fishing is fantastic for rainbows and northern pike. We have had two 20 lb. pike and several smaller ones caught in the last week. Rainbow fishing is great with trolling cowbells and nightcrawlers. Lake trout are starting to bite again, but small ones. The larger lake trout seem to be spawning and uninterested in any activity. We will be open here at the marina until Sept. 30 and then will close until next season!"
