Review C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E Fishing Report COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us Friday September 10 th , 2021 News and Information "Don't forget to get your copy of the 2021 Fishing Guide." This special to Colorado Outdoors is stocked (see what we did there?) with great content from exploring high mountain lakes for cutthroat to fly fishing in Colorado's backyard wilderness area, and so much more! 2021 Fishing Guide Pure Rio Grande cutthroat trout stocked by helicopter in Upper and Lower Sand Creek Lakes The fish used to stock the lakes came from the nearby Medano Creek drainage, which is located in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve in the San Luis Valley. That drainage was previously restored with Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the 1980s. By pulling trout from Medano Creek, CPW aims to accelerate the restoration project in the Sand Creek drainage by stocking a small number of adult trout capable of producing a spawn as early as 2022. Parasitic infestation in West and Dowdy lakes impacting fish populations Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials at its aquatic animal health laboratory have identified an anchor worm infestation as the cause of dead and dying fish at West and Dowdy lakes in western Larimer County. Anchor worm is a parasite that can cause severe inflammation resulting in open bleeding sores on fish. Adult females are permanently fixed to a fish, resulting in the observed sores. It can lead to stress, osmotic imbalance and to secondary infection. The free-swimming immature stages of the anchor worm can feed on gill tissue, causing considerable damage that can impact respiration and osmoregulation, in addition to being an irritant. Lake trout tournament benefits CPW’s management of Blue Mesa Reservoir Anglers at Blue Mesa Reservoir who participated in the lake trout harvest tournament aided Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s management goals for kokanee salmon and lake trout in the renowned fishery. For the last two years, CPW sponsored the tournament to help maintain adequate kokanee fry survival by limiting predation from lake trout. Unchecked lake-trout population growth caused significant declines of kokanee in previous decades, Brauch said. Since the number of predatory lake trout has been reduced, kokanee abundance has improved. Anglers reel in big prizes at Ridgway Smallmouth Bass Tournament The effort by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to preserve native fish species was aided for a seventh consecutive year by the Ridgway State Park Smallmouth Bass Tournament. Licensed anglers walked away with big cash prizes after the tournament, which was held July 10 through Aug. 8. While only 25 anglers participated, down from nearly 80 just two years ago, 1,690 smallmouth bass were removed from Ridgway Reservoir, almost 200 more than in 2019. Now you can take the #ColoradoOutdoors anywhere. Follow us on @instagram @coparkswildlife! http://instagram.com/coparkswildlife Check out our CPW community on Facebook. Colorado anglers can “like" the CPW Facebook page to get tips, share stories, and more. If you love the outdoors, this is the place to be. Before you head out, head for facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/. Fish with us on Twitter Colorado anglers can get updates directly from CPW on Twitter. Follow @COParksWildlife.
Transcript
Fishing Regulations
Review
C O L O R A D O P A R K S & W I L D L I F E
Fishing Report
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Friday September 10th, 2021
News and Information
"Don't forget to get your copy of the 2021 Fishing Guide." This special to Colorado Outdoors is stocked (see what we did there?) with great content from exploring high mountain lakes for cutthroat to fly fishing in Colorado's backyard wilderness area, and so much more! 2021 Fishing Guide
Pure Rio Grande cutthroat trout stocked by helicopter in Upper and Lower Sand Creek Lakes The fish used to stock the lakes came from the nearby Medano Creek drainage, which is located in the Great Sand Dunes National Preserve in the San Luis Valley. That drainage was previously restored with Rio Grande cutthroat trout in the 1980s. By pulling trout from Medano Creek, CPW aims to accelerate the restoration project in the Sand Creek drainage by stocking a small number of adult trout capable of producing a spawn as early as 2022.
Parasitic infestation in West and Dowdy lakes impacting fish populations Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials at its aquatic animal health laboratory have identified an anchor worm infestation as the cause of dead and dying fish at West and Dowdy lakes in western Larimer County. Anchor worm is a parasite that can cause severe inflammation resulting in open bleeding sores on fish. Adult females are permanently fixed to a fish, resulting in the observed sores. It can lead to stress, osmotic imbalance and to secondary infection. The free-swimming immature stages of the anchor worm can feed on gill tissue, causing considerable damage that can impact respiration and osmoregulation, in addition to being an irritant.
Lake trout tournament benefits CPW’s management of Blue Mesa Reservoir Anglers at Blue Mesa Reservoir who participated in the lake trout harvest tournament aided Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s management goals for kokanee salmon and lake trout in the renowned fishery. For the last two years, CPW sponsored the tournament to help maintain adequate kokanee fry survival by limiting predation from lake trout. Unchecked lake-trout population growth caused significant declines of kokanee in previous decades, Brauch said. Since the number of predatory lake trout has been reduced, kokanee abundance has improved.
Anglers reel in big prizes at Ridgway Smallmouth Bass Tournament The effort by Colorado Parks and Wildlife to preserve native fish species was aided for a seventh consecutive year by the Ridgway State Park Smallmouth Bass Tournament. Licensed anglers walked away with big cash prizes after the tournament, which was held July 10 through Aug. 8. While only 25 anglers participated, down from nearly 80 just two years ago, 1,690 smallmouth bass were removed from Ridgway Reservoir, almost 200 more than in 2019.
Now you can take the #ColoradoOutdoors anywhere. Follow us on @instagram @coparkswildlife! http://instagram.com/coparkswildlife
Check out our CPW community on Facebook. Colorado anglers can “like" the CPW Facebook page to get tips, share stories, and more. If you love the outdoors, this is the place to be. Before you head out, head for facebook.com/ColoradoParksandWildlife/.
Fish with us on Twitter Colorado anglers can get updates directly from CPW on Twitter. Follow @COParksWildlife.
From the Hwy. 9 bridge at Kremmling downstream to the Hwy.13 bridge in Rifle
July 7, 2021 July 12, 2021 (see note below)- REMOVED for the section from the Hwy. 9 bridge at Kremmling downstream to State Bridge. August 10, 2021 (see note below)- REMOVED for the section from State Bridge downstream to the Red Dirt Creek confluence. As of August 24th, the voluntary, full day fishing closure is REMOVED from the Red Dirt Creek confluence downstream to the Hwy.13 bridge in Rifle.
From State Bridge downstream to the Hwy.13 bridge in Rifle
July 7, 2021 July 20, 2021 (see note below)-MODIFIED to a 12:00 pm voluntary fishing closure only for the section from State Bridge downstream to the Red Dirt Creek confluence (downstream of Burns). August 10, 2021 (see note below)- REMOVED only for the section from State
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Bridge downstream to the Red Dirt Creek confluence. As of August 24th, the voluntary, full day fishing closure is REMOVED from the Red Dirt Creek confluence downstream to the Hwy.13 bridge in Rifle.
NW Voluntary After 12:00 pm
Colorado River
From State Bridge downstream to the Red Dirt Creek confluence (downstream of Burns)
July 20, 2021 August 10, 2021 (see notes above)-REMOVED
From the Hwy.131 bridge at Wolcott downstream to the Colorado River confluence
July 24, 2021 August 10, 2021 (see note below)- REMOVED only for the section from the Hwy. 131 bridge at Wolcott downstream to the upper boundary of Gypsum Ponds State Wildlife Area. As of August 24th, the voluntary, after 12:00 pm fishing closure is REMOVED from the upper boundary of Gypsum Ponds State Wildlife Area
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Cowdrey Lake Northeast 9/1/2021
Rangely Fishing Pond Northwest 8/30/2021
Raftopoulos Pond #1 Northwest 8/30/2021
Raftopoulos Pond #2 Northwest 8/30/2021
Raftopoulos Pond #3 Northwest 8/30/2021
Catch of the Week
Zach Langer got into the kokanee fishing at Green Mountain Reservoir. Congratulations Zach on the impressive catch! Kokanee are the land-locked form of sockeye salmon that live in
reservoirs throughout higher elevations.
Would you like to be featured in the next CPW Fishing Report’s Catch of the Week? Share your photo!
Email [email protected] and put “Catch of the Week” in the subject line or submit through the CPW Fishing App.
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report – Metro
Aurora Reservoir Park Rangers report as of 9/10/2021, trout fishing from shore is currently hit or miss. Some trout are being caught off the dam using PowerBait casting out 40-50 yards using a slip rig. Boaters are having fair to good success trolling with crawlers and spoons for trout. Also anchoring in 30-45’ of water and dropping down crawlers and power bait has been working well for some boaters. Walleye action is slow with a few reports of some fish being caught trolling with bottom bouncers and crawlers. All other species are slow or no reports. For more information call 303-326-8425. Park Hours for September 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Aurora Reservoir
Chatfield Reservoir
As of 9/10/2021, there have been a lot of reports of success catching walleye on a variety of lures. Trout fishing is currently fair. For more information, contact park staff by calling 303-791-7275. Chatfield Reservoir
Cherry Creek Reservoir
As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports anglers having increased success catching walleye, crappie, trout and bluegill. Common baits being used are mealworms, wax worms, Gulp worms, and nightcrawlers on Rapala raps, buck-shot flutter spoons, blade baits, and others. No other reports on any other species at this time. For more information please call (303) 690-1166. Cherry Creek State Park
Standley Lake Please call ahead prior to heading to the reservoir to get up-to-date lake and shoreline fishing conditions. Contact park staff at 303-425-1097. Standley Lake
Quincy Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, bass fishing has been slow. A few reports of some bass caught early morning and evenings. All other species slow or no report. Shoreline in some areas is difficult to fish due to aquatic vegetation. Try the dam with jigs and soft plastics. Restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Only watercraft capable of being launched by hand permitted. Trailers and vehicles are not permitted in the water. Park hours for September 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information call 303-326-8424. Quincy Reservoir
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado
Antero Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, the reservoir is fishing best in the mornings and evenings. There are plenty of food sources available and anglers have even reported success catching musky. Antero Reservoir
Arvada Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, anglers reported success catching trout in the mornings and bass in the evenings. Bass fishing is good and catfishing is fair to good. Arvada Reservoir
Barr Lake As of 9/10/2021 park staff reports good wiper action. For the most current conditions, please contact park staff by calling 303-659-6005. Barr Lake
Bear Creek Lake As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success catching walleye with a variety of lures. Trout fishing has improved to fair in the mornings and evenings. Bear Creek Lake
Boyd Lake As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports Boyd Lake is at 73% capacity and water temperature is 74 degrees. The lake is OPEN to boating. Anglers continue to report success catching walleye and white bass using a variety of spoons, spinners, jerkbaits, and crank-baits. There is no fishing permitted from marina slips or docks. Boyd Lake
Cheesman Canyon As of 9/10/2021, Cheesman Canyon continues to fish very well. Be careful on your approach to the water to not scare away any potential targets. Flows: 153 CFS above Cheesman Lake (9/9/2021) Cheesman
Dream Stream - South Platte As of 9/10/2021, look for holding pockets and focus on deeper sections of water. Surface feeding has become more consistent with the current invertebrate activity. Flows: 159 CFS above Eleven Mile Canyon (9/9/2021) Dream Stream
Eleven Mile Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, The 11 Mile Marina reports “Trout fishing is fair to good. The bite can be hit and miss but there sure are a lot of very nice fish being caught in the 18” to 24” class. A variety of baits are working depending on how you like to fish. Pop Gear crowd doing very well with Arnies Pop Gear or Green Rainbow by Lure Jensen. Tube jigs are coming on. Kastmasters, Tas Devils and Krocodiles are also hot. The West End gets a lot of attention but we are catching fish all over the lake. Sometimes the North Shore Marina kicks out fish as good as anywhere. Don’t overlook the East End for bigger fish. Less pressure bigger fish. Shore anglers doing well at sundown and at night. Kokanee fishing is poor. No good news to report other than one here one there. The story of this past Summer? We are still working the sling blades and dodgers with a variety of offerings. You will catch Trout in the process. Northern pike fishing is good to very good. A lot of nice fish in the 28” to 33” range being caught. We have had action all around the lake. Bill’s Spinner Baits, White or Chartreuse tubes, Rapala and spoons are all seeing decent action. Bite times have been spread throughout the day with mid-morning and late afternoon showing off. Bigger fish are showing their face and even taking swipes now. Opportunities are increasing for a trophy fish. Crawfishing is excellent. It’s prime time of the Season if you like crawfish. We sell some awesome traps that will fill up and make you happy with a big boil of deliciousness. The peak season is now through early September. Stop in we will show you how we do it.” https://www.11milesports.com/fishing-report Eleven Mile State Park
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Evergreen Lake As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success catching rainbow trout with PowerBait and worms. Evergreen Lake
Horsetooth Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success trolling for walleye and smallmouth bass using soft plastics. Horsetooth Reservoir
Lon Hagler Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, no new catfish reports, but anglers continue to catch bass regularly. Lon Hagler
North Sterling Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports fishing for walleye and crappie is fair, drum and wiper are okay and fishing for catfish is currently good. The reservoir is OPEN to boating. The Inlet is OFF and the Outlet is ON. Contact the park for the latest ice conditions at 970-522-3657. North Sterling Reservoir
Spinney Mountain Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports fishing for northern pike continues to be excellent! Trout fishing continues to produce very well. Scuds and leeches have worked well for nymphing and woolly buggers have been the go-to for streamers. Spinney Mountain Reservoir
St. Vrain State Park As of 9/10/2021, pike and walleye/saugeye will also chase larger swimbaits and spoons, but we recommend suspending only a few feet down, as most ponds with Pike are very shallow at St. Vrain. Pike and Walleye will also chase streamers and poppers, but will usually require some form of a leader to prevent breaking free. Please contact the park for the most up-to-date conditions by calling 303-678-9402. St. Vrain State Park
Waterton Canyon – South Platte As of 9/10/2021, there are good hatches of caddis as well as blue-winged olive and midges. With low flows, you are going to want to focus on pools and slow riffles and be ready for aggressively feeding fish. Anglers have also reported success nymphing while others have tried dry droppers. Flows: 70 CFS at Waterton (9/9/2021) South Platter River
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado
Arkansas River – Leadville to Buena Vista As of 9/10/2021, Braden Baker with Ark Anglers writes, “The upper Arkansas is in great shape and with a much cooler forecast in the next couple of weeks our northern fish will have a very comfortable environment as we head into the fall. Hayden Meadows is still the most wadeable section of the Arkansas, though now that the Voluntary Flow Management Program has ended more of the river below the Lake Creek confluence will offer easier wading access. The low, clear flows in Hayden Meadows can make for more technical fishing and spookier fish, so be very thoughtful in your approach. This area is seeing a fair amount of pressure, so be very courteous to fellow anglers and try to give your neighbors plenty of their own room to fish. Be prepared primarily for caddis, grasshoppers, and golden stoneflies above Buena Vista. That said, guides saw our first fall hatches of blue-winged olives last week so we may see more fish eating small baetis patterns in the next few weeks. Guides and DIY anglers are reporting very good dry and dry-dropper fishing this week, but nymphing through the deeper pools and pockets will also be effective. Streamers can also be a great way to probe some of the deeper pockets north of Buena Vista.” Flows: 85 CFS at Hayden Meadows, 119 CFS at Granite (9/9/2021) http://www.arkanglers.com/ Arkansas River
Arkansas River – Buena Vista to Salida
As of 9/10/2021, Braden Baker with Ark Anglers writes, “The Voluntary Flow Management Program has ended and the river has dropped back down to native flows. This adjustment has brought the river back into the ideal flow range for our local trout (240-400 CFS at the Wellsville gauge) and they will be able to maximize their use of the river to their benefit. We will still have enough water to float fish the Arkansas but this adjustment is definitely welcome news to wade anglers who will have more flexibility on wadeable water the rest of the summer. Our current forecast shows a comfortable drop in temperature with daytime highs down in the 70s which will mean a cooler river and broader window of quality daytime fishing hours. This cooldown paired with the recent drop in flows will provide a very comfortable environment for our resident trout heading into fall. We have a little extra water in the river this morning which makes for a slightly easier float fishing environment dow near Salida, and the river has been fishing incredibly well so far this week. Clarity is excellent in the middle basin and flows have receded now that we are back to sunny, dry weather. With flows dropping to native levels, expect fish to be able to occupy more of the river rather than just the edges like they do during high summer flows. Fresh golden stonefly shucks are on the rocks above the water most mornings, and the presence of these insects alongside grasshoppers has given us some fun action on larger attractor dry flies. Anglers spotted our first late-season hatches of blue-winged olives last week below Buena Vista, so small baetis nymphs, emergers and dry flies should be in your arsenal. Caddis and red quills make up medium-sized food items, with sporadic midge and trico hatches taking the microscopic award. Dry dropper and shallow nymphing tactics are generally the most productive, but streamer fishing has been very effective lately, as well. At times fish are incredibly surface-oriented, yielding windows of great dry and double-dry fly fishing. The next few weeks should provide some excellent late summer opportunities. On the warmest days expect the action to generally be best in the morning and evening, with a potential lull mid-afternoon during the heat of the day. It all depends on the water in front of you. Fish will be looking for oxygen, so if you can find aerated water you'll find trout. Following a low water spring and an underwhelming runoff, fish are healthy and have fared well through the high water.” Flows: 278 CFS at Hecla Junction (9/9/2021) http://www.arkanglers.com/ Arkansas River
Blue Lake As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success catching catfish, walleye, and carp. Blue Lake
Hugo SWA Ponds As of 9/10/2021, no new species reports for this body of water. Hugo SWA Ponds
John Martin Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, WEST BOAT RAMP is closed due to low water levels. EAST BOAT RAMP remains open and available to launch vessels. The East Boat Ramp was designed as a low-water boat ramp. Larger vessels with deep hulls, or a trailer that sits high above the ground, will find it difficult to impossible to launch. Most vehicles will have to be partially submerged to launch boats from trailers. John Martin Reservoir
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Kissel Pond As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported good catfishing in the later parts of the day. Kissel Pond
Lake Pueblo As of 9/10/2021, walleye fishing has picked up and anglers are reporting success on a variety of lures. Anglers have also reported success catching bass and perch. Lake Pueblo
Rosemont Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, fishing early mornings and evenings can prove to be beneficial for both the angler and fish. Rosemont Reservoir
Trinidad Lake As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports the lake is at 838 surface acres with a surface elevation of 6193.01, and the water level is decreasing. Boaters have had luck trolling rapalas and worm harnesses. Surface water temperature is around 72-74 degrees. Perch and walleye are abundant. South shore has produced good-sized trout very regularly using PowerBait and doughballs. Reilly canyon road remains closed to vehicles, however, foot access is allowed. Anglers have reported good-size catfish, perch, and trout closer to the inlet. The river is shallow and running slowly. Call the park for the most up-to-date conditions at 719-846-6951. Trinidad Lake
Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado
Blue River As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success with caddis imitations and flows are allowing for dry flies. Flows: 453 CFS below Green Mountain Reservoir (9/9/2021) Blue River
Eagle River As of 9/10/2021, nymphing is proving to be very successful even with the increase in surface activity. Flows: 130 CFS below Gypsum (9/9/2021) Eagle River
Grand Lake As of 9/10/2021, Fishing with Bernie Guide Dan Shannon reports, “Ramp hours are 6 a.m – 6 p.m. Water temps continue to cool and less traffic on the water has helped the bite. Fishing has been fair to good for all species. Rainbow trout and Brown trout bites have been good, fish along shorelines and docks with erratic retrieve of spoon or crankbait, color does not matter but make sure to pay attention on the pause of the lure. Lake trout are being caught in 50-70’ of water, look for them with your electronics then fish on the bottom with small jigs and plastics tipped with sucker, glow colors have been best producers.” https://www.fishingwithbernie.com/ Grand Lake
Harvey Gap As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports pike, smallmouth bass and perch are being caught. Harvey Gap
Lake Granby As of 9/10/2021, Fishing with Bernie Guide, Dan Shannon reports, “Ramp hours are 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cooling water means the bite is picking up! Lake trout have moved to pre-spawn locations in 50-70’ of water. Small minnow imitations on a jig head tipped with a small piece of sucker has been go-to lure, chartreuse or orange colors. Rainbow trout and Brown trout are active and moving shallower, target these fish by trolling spoons and cranks in 12’ of water along shorelines or casting crankbaits and tubes along rocks and transition areas. Great time of the year to be on the water, the elk are talking along the shore of RMNP and fishing is getting better by the day!” https://www.fishingwithbernie.com/ Lake Granby
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Lake John As of 9/10/2021, reports indicate that sizeable trout continue to be landed regularly at the lake. Lake John
Mack Mesa Lake Mack Mesa Reservoir is refilled and has been restocked with bluegill to start developing a forage base for the largemouth bass and other species to be stocked later this summer. Those warm water species include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. CPW also plans to stock trout in time for the fall and ice fishing seasons. Mack Mesa Lake
Rifle Gap As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports “walleye, northern pike, perch and smallmouth bass fishing is good.” Rifle Gap
Vega Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, all boat ramps are closed for the season. Anglers on shore are reporting catching some nice trout in 16 - 20 inch range using silver spinners, worms and PowerBait. Lake levels are below normal. Vega Reservoir
Williams Fork Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, Fishing with Bernie Guide, Randy H reports, “The new ramp hours are 7 AM to 7 PM. Water capacity is 75%. Inflow is 31 CFS, outflow is 275 CFS. The lake is 17 feet low. Surface temp is 63 early AM warming to mid 60's. This will be my final fishing report for the season. The boat ramp will be closed by September 12th or sooner due to the low water level. The Lake Trout bite is slow to fair the first half of the day. The fish are up and moving around in the AM but by noon most of them are belly down on the bottom. Look for them in 70 to 100 feet of water. Tubes or small grubs tipped with sucker meat worked slowly on the bottom is working best. Keep your bait moving or a crawdad will get it. Northern Pike are slow but catchable if you're very persistent. Early AM and late PM is the best time to fish. Crankbaits, jerk baits or swimbaits fished with an erratic slow to medium retrieve may get hit. Shore fishing for Rainbows is slow due to low population, but as the water continues to cool large resident Rainbows will be feeding along the shoreline. Kokanee trolling is very slow as CPW has not stocked the lake since 2019 in an effort to rid the Kokes of gill lice” https://www.fishingwithbernie.com/ Williams Fork Reservoir
Yampa River Due to critically low water flows caused by dry conditions and minimal snowpack levels, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has implemented a mandatory fishing closure on a 0.6-mile stretch of the Yampa River between the dam at Stagecoach State Park downstream to the lowermost park boundary. The closure began on May 25 and will continue until further notice. Yampa River
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado
Animas River at Durango As of 9/10/2021, Duranglers reports, “Keep an eye on those temps throughout warmer sunny days. Hopper/dropper rigs are a good go-to, but streamer fishing is starting to pick up. BWO hatches are starting, and afternoon dry fly fishing can be great. Small caddis are also hatching in the mornings and evenings. Won’t hurt to try out a streamer either.” Flows: 186 CFS at Durango (9/9/2021) Duranglers Animas River
Blue Mesa Reservoir As of 9/10/2021, the reservoir continues to produce kokes and lake trout on a variety of lures. Blue Mesa Reservoir
Dolores River As of 9/10/2021 Duranglers reports, “The upper Dolores drainage is fishing solid. Dry droppers into the fall Caddis and small mayflies can be around. Terrestrials such as hoppers, ants, and beetles will be out as well.” Flows: 36.6 at Dolores (9/9/2021) Duranglers Dolores River
Gunnison River As of 9/10/2021 Duranglers reports, “If you want to catch more fish, put on the nymph rig and fish deep with weight. Fish a dry/dropper for the best of both worlds. Some discoloration of the water means use some bigger bugs.” Flows: 601 CFS below Gunnison Tunnel (9/9/2021) Duranglers Gunnison River
James M. Robb Colorado River As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports, “Look for fishing to pick up as temperatures begin to be cooler in the evenings. Trout will be deeper. Bluegill and Sunfish will be more productive. Please ensure the responsible and ethical release of fish and properly dispose of fishing line. Remember, the daily limit for trout is four fish per person.” James M. Robb Colorado River - Corn, Fruita, and Connected Lakes
San Miguel River As of 9/10/2021, Duranglers reports, “Flows are pretty solid right now for this high country river. Don’t overthink it too much: dry/droppers on your favorite 4 weight and have fun! Hoppers and caddis should be out” Flows: 78.7 CFS near Placerville (9/9/2021) Duranglers San Miguel River
San Juan River at Pagosa Springs As of 9/10/2021 Duranglers report, “Solitude on the river in town Pagosa is limited to the first and last hours of the day. Expect lots of tubers and swimmers. Midday will be the busiest on the river. Hopper/droppers are your friend right now but watch for hatcthes of BWO. Streamers too!” Flows: 30.3 CFS at Pagosa Springs (9/9/2021) Duranglers San Juan River
Uncompahgre River As of 9/10/2021, Duranglers reports, “Nymphing smaller bugs is not a bad idea, but try a leech or SJ worm too. Watch for PMDs in the afternoons! Or, put on a streamer or bugger!” Flows: 176 CFS below Ridgway Reservoir (9/9/2021) Duranglers Uncompaghre River
COLORADO PARKS & WILDLIFE ▪ 6060 Broadway, Denver, CO 80216 ▪ (303) 297-1192 ▪ cpw.state.co.us
Tip of the Week – Know Before You Go
The Colorado Fishing Atlas: The latest interactive mapping tool offered by Colorado Parks and Wildlife allows users to
search for fishing opportunities by species, specific interest or proximity to their home or destination. Spend a few
minutes viewing a series of short video tutorials to learn about all the great new features or jump right in and start
scouting from the comfort of your home today.
Road/Land closures: Check for closures in the area you plan to fish. This information, from the BLM and USDAFS,
changes often so go to their websites for current closures: BLM for Colorado, US Forest Service (you'll need to know in
which forest you will be fishing).
Forest Safety: Forest Service officials want to remind you to watch out for falling trees, especially in areas affected by
the 2.5 million acre mountain pine beetle epidemic. Check out US Forest Service for more information on guidelines,
safety tips and Bark Beetles.
Hotel accommodations and activities in your fishing area.
Camping? See the Colorado State Parks general camping rules. Fishing in a Colorado State Park? The individual Parks
also have important fishing information. The USDA Forest Service website also provides camping information for Forest
Service lands.
If you’ll be camping during your fishing trip, please help protect our forests by buying your firewood in Colorado.
Firewood can spread harmful insect pests and diseases such as emerald ash borer, sirex wood wasp, gypsy moth, Asian
longhorned beetle, and oak wilt disease. If you have brought firewood from another state, please burn it immediately.
For more information contact the Colorado Department of Agriculture at 303/239-4140.
Firebans: A link to the Colorado Division of Emergency Management fire bans and restrictions information.
We love to hear back from our subscribers regarding fishing reports, tips, and requests for the material you would like to start seeing more of. Any useful feedback helps us make our fishing reports a “go-to” resource for anglers fishing Colorado’s waters. If you would like to report water and/or fishing conditions to be used in the next fishing report, feel free to submit a report to [email protected]. ******************************************************************************************************************************************************** DNR Fish Reporter
