Fishing Report: Northwest (7/9)
Other regions: Northeast, Southeast, Southwest, Denver Metro
Delaney Buttes, Cowdrey and Lake John (Jackson County)
No report this week. Anglers can call the Lake John Resort for current conditions.
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)
Fishing is very good at this time. Large pike have gone deeper and are being taken on rubber wigglers. Sizes are ranging from 24" to 36". A lot of smaller pike are now being taken in the shallows. Small and largemouth bass activity is picking up in the North End of the lake. Jigs and crankbait are catching fish in the coves; Crappie are feeding in the brushy areas on the north end of the lake and their activity has picked up. There are no reports of catfish yet. Fishing should remain good until summer temps drive the fish into deeper water and slows feeding activity. The variety of species in the lake is small mouth bass, crappie, northern pike, catfish and trout. The water temperature has reached 72 degrees.
Harvey Gap State Park (Garfield County)
Anglers are having luck catching perch at the north end of the boat ramp.
Highline Lake State Park and Mack Mesa Reservoir (Mesa County)
Large catfish have been caught at Mack Mesa and carp are falling to bow-fisherman near the closed East boat ramp. Nightcrawlers, ice, and fishing licenses are available at the Visitor's Center.
James M. Robb Colorado River State Park (Mesa County)
Due to the hot temperatures fishing has slowed down quite a bit. Fishermen are encouraged to fish early in the morning or late evening. They are also encouraged to keep all trout within the catch limit as the trout are experiencing high stress due to the heat and are not as likely to survive if returned to the water. People are still catching trout at Island Acres and Fruita during the cooler part of the day on power bait and flies. There have been a few bass caught at Connected Lakes.
Lake Granby (Grand County)
Trout are active on jigs. Shore anglers are seeing best action on the north end coves.
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)
Trout fishing is good across the lake. Pike fishing is also good and anglers are encouraged to keep any pike they catch (no limit) to help balance the fishery. Perch fishing and walleye have slowed with warmer temperatures.
Stagecoach State Park (Routt County)
Fishing reports from anglers fishing the shore or from a boat have slowed down. Many people are still catching their limit. Power bait and worms seem to work well. Trout have also been hitting on kastmasters and spoons. Tube jigs, rapalas, and various crank baits have been working well for pike. Tailwaters anglers are using San Juan worms, RS2's and zebra midges. The flow at the tailwaters is at 20 cfs. 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 weather has been warm and fishing success has slowed. Rainbow Ridge is the spot to try, especially early in the morning.
Sylvan Lake State Park (Eagle County)
Sylvan Lake was stocked with 10" cutthroat July 5 and stocked with catchable rainbow in late May and in early June. Fishing has been good. Small dark flies are working. Or try bright colored PowerBait or worms off the bottom. If fishing from East & West Brush Creek, fish early in the day and follow guidelines to reduce stress during these high temp and low water conditions.
Vega State Park (Mesa County)
Fishing at Vega is excellent. Anglers are using PowerBait (pink, yellow and purple), worms, and Panther Martins with much success. Please remember to stop at the entrance station and/or visitor's center and have your boat inspected prior to launching. A Clean, Drain and Dry inspection with a seal applied can speed up your entry into the park. You can buy fishing licenses at the Visitor's Center - open daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and 8 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
