Fishing Report - Northwest (6/4)
You can contribute to the weekly fishing report by sending tips or conditions reports to fish.reporter@state.co.us. The deadline for the weekly fishing report is Mondays at 5 p.m.
Fishing conditions change on a constant basis, so you may need to check multiple sources for the most up-to-date information. State wildlife officials encourage anglers to explore the numerous private websites that offer fishing condition reports, such as www.fishexplorer.com, www.coloradofisherman.com, www.fishhound.com and www.sportfishcolorado.com. Many fly shops and marinas offer fishing condition reports.
See the state's Stocking Report, which shows were catchable trout were recently stocked.
See seasonal fishing information and learn how to get a fishing license.
Regions: Denver Metro, Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest
Delaney Buttes, Cowdrey and Lake John (Jackson County)
The folks at Lake John Report say water levels are holding for the most part. They wanted us to pass along a reminder about the fire ban in Jackson County - no open fires allowed. Need the latest fishing conditions in North Park, you can call Lake John Resort and they'll be happy to help.
Dumont Lake (Grand, Routt and Jackson County)
LAKE IS CURRENTLY DRAINED FOR REPAIRS. Dumont Lake is not expected to reopen until 2013 or 2014.
Elkhead Reservoir State Park (Moffat County)
The variety of species in the lake is small mouth bass, crappie, northern pike, catfish and trout. fishing is picking up. Water temperatures are also coming up. Pike are fishing well in the whole lake, Crappie are fishing fair; Trout and Catfish are fishing slow.
Harvey Gap State Park (Garfield County)
PLEASE NOTE: Large and Small Mouth Bass must be returned to the water from May 1 - June 15th, due to spawning.
Highline Lake State Park and Mack Mesa Reservoir (Mesa County)
Trout are still biting at both Mack Mesa and Highline Lakes - some are nice-sized; others are pan-sized! Bass and crappie are biting near the dam at Highline Lake, from the bank or from a boat. PowerBait is now available in the Visitor Center, along with nightcrawlers and fishing licenses. For those who prefer to troll Highline Lake, ANS boat inspections are available at the WEST ramp, from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. ONLY. If you catch or see a northern pike at either lake, please remove it from the water and turn it over to park staff.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (Mesa County)
Fishing has slowed down as water temps have started rising with hot summer days in the Grand Valley. The crappie and catfish are still biting at Fruita.
Lake Granby (Grand County)
No reports this week.
Pearl Lake State Park (Routt County)
Belly boaters are doing well around the willows, bank fishing has been OK. The dam area has been producing pretty well also. Please remember Pearl Lake is regulated to flies and lures only, with a bag limit of two 18"+ trout.
Rifle Gap State Park (Garfield County)
PLEASE NOTE: Large and Small Mouth Bass must be returned to the water from May 1 - June 15th, due to spawning. Most anglers are looking for perch (no limit), pike (no limit) or trout (limit 4). Most recently some large Walleye have been spotted on the bottom of the lake off the Cedar campground loop. It was reported that a 22" Walleye caught and a 24" Pike were caught by the same angler.
Stagecoach State Park (Routt County)
Fishing reports from anglers fishing the shore or from a boat have been great. Multiple reports of trout over 9lbs have been landed using power bait near the inlet. Trout have also been hitting on kastmasters and spoons. Pike have started moving into the shallows and coves and are being caught on tube jigs, rapalas, and various crank baits. Tailwaters anglers are using San Juan worms, RS2's and zebra midges. During the busy season for the Tailwaters, anglers are asked to be mindful of the resources and help avoid overcrowding.
Steamboat Lake State Park (Routt County)
The reports on fishing are strong at this point. Rainbow Ridge in the early morning appears to be the current hot spot.
Sylvan Lake State Park (Eagle County)
Stocked with catchable rainbow on May 23. Fishing has been good. There are a variety of hatches going on right now. For fly fishing, fish are biting on olive wooley worms #12, olive. Midge flies with white beads in olive and red. The stocker cutthroats and rainbows, along with native brook trout are moving around in schools close to shore, eating a variety of midges. As for bait fisherman, red and green power bait has been doing very well, along with a variety of spinners.
Vega State Park (Mesa County)
Fishing conditions remain excellent. Rainbows are being caught daily in the 14 - 18 inch range with Power Bait, worms, salmon eggs and Panther Martins. Please remember to stop at the entrance station and/or visitor's center and have your boat inspected prior to launching.
