FISHING
CONDITION REPORT
July
15,
2008
The fishing
might be good, it might not be. Either
way, an outing to the high country is its own reward, and with
the heat of summer descending on the lowlands, the time or
visiting some Alpine gem is at hand.
With
summer prevailing in the city, the high country is calling
out to Colorado anglers.
Alpine
lakes dot mountain ranges across the state, and virtually all
finally are free of ice. Some are readily accessible; some
require considerable walking, almost all of it uphill in rarified
mountain air. All are in spectacular settings and many support
populations of native cutthroat trout, usually replenished
by the stocking efforts of the Colorado Division of Wildlife.
High-lake
fishing often is temperamental, either hot or cold with little
in between. A lake might appear lifeless - then
suddenly come alive with rising trout dimpling the surface like
so many mountain raindrops. An angler seemingly can do no wrong
- then just as suddenly as it started, the activity stops.
The lake once again is lifeless.
The
time also is right for stream fishermen, who have endured a
prolonged runoff across much of the state. Flows are steadily
dropping and rivers are clearing. Summertime insect hatches,
including caddis, pale-morning-dun mayflies, Yellow Sally stoneflies
and green drakes, largest of the mayflies, have appeared on
many rivers. Trico mayflies, a signature hatch on several streams,
should be hatching soon.
Lake
fishermen, meanwhile, are finding their best activity early
and late in the day, a pattern likely to continue through the
summer.
Warm-water
enthusiasts enjoy fairly good fishing for bass. Catfish are
on the move in the evenings, and wipers soon will be chasing
young-of-the-year shad on a number of eastern-Colorado impoundments.
ANTERO REOPENS TO BOATING
Antero Reservoir south of Fairplay has reopened to all boats,
with the implementation of an inspection program in the effort
to control the spread of zebra mussels. Boat access is at the
north ramp, only. The Colorado Division of Wildlife will conduct
inspections from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily. Boats should be cleaned,
drained and dry before arriving at the inspection station.
BOATING
CLOSURES
A mandatory boat-inspection program is under way at Chatfield
Reservoir southwest of Denver, in the ongoing effort to control
the spread of zebra mussels. Boaters are asked to arrive with
their boats clean, drained of all water and dry. Boats also should
be drained before leaving, and cleaned and dried before launching
into another body of water.
Inspection
procedures also are in place at Pueblo, Antero, Elevenmile,
Spinney Mountain, Aurora and Quincy reservoirs and Standley
Lake.
Jefferson
Lake north of Fairplay is closed to trailered
boats and gasoline-powered boats, but open to hand-carried craft
including belly boats, canoes, rowboats and boats powered by
electric motors with no more than 55 pounds of thrust
Trailered
and all motor-powered boats are prohibited on Williams Fork,
Rampart, Clear Creek and Gross reservoirs. Sailboats also are
prohibited at Gross.
Dillon
Reservoir is open to all boats, but only though the boat-launching
areas at the Dillon and Frisco marinas.
ZEBRA MUSSEL
PRECAUTIONS
Zebra mussels are a non-native invasive mollusk that is harmful
to the environment.
They can be transported over land from one body of water to another
by hitchhiking on recreational vehicles including boats, jet
skis and boat trailers. Unchecked, these organisms will quickly
spread and out-compete native species.
They
have no effective predators and have detrimental impacts on
the environment, recreation, water quality and the water-transport
facilities of municipal providers and irrigators.
All
boaters are encouraged to follow these practices to help prevent
the spread of zebra mussels and other invasive species:
Before
leaving any body of water, boaters should:
- Drain the water from the boat, livewell and lower units of
the engine.
- Clean the hull of the boat
- Dry the boat, fishing gear and equipment
- Inspect all exposed surfaces
- Remove all plant and animal material
LONG DRAW ROAD OPENS
The U.S. Forest Service has completed spraying for beetles and
removing hazardous trees along the road to Long Draw Reservoir,
and the road has been opened. The reservoir is full, free of
ice and accessible for fishing.
JERRY CREEK RESERVOIRS TEMPORARILY REOPEN
The Ute Water Conservancy District has temporarily reopened the
Jerry Creek Reservoirs northeast of Grand Junction to the public.
The reservoirs were closed last August for construction work
on the dam and spillway. Most of that work is done, but a final
phase requires a federal 404 permit for completion. When that
permit is received, the reservoirs will again be closed for an
estimated 45 days.
In
the meantime, the reservoirs offer potentially good walk-in
fishing for largemouth bass and bluegills. Fishermen may use
only artificial flies and lures, and a catch-and-release provision
is in effect. Anglers may use waist-high waders
with float tubes, but other wading is not permitted.
HABITAT
STAMPS
All people ages 19-64 must have a habitat stamp to enter a state
wildlife area or a state trust land leased by the Colorado Division
of Wildlife. The stamps are necessary to use state wildlife areas
for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and any other purpose.
Stamps cost $5 and are required on the first two hunting or fishing
licenses an individual buys in a calendar year. Purchased without
a hunting or fishing license, the stamps cost $10. Lifetime stamps
are available for $200. People under 19 and over 64 are not required
to have the stamps.
FIRE BANS
Visitors to the Adobe Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake), John Martin,
Queens, Turks Pond and Two Buttes state wildlife areas in southeastern
Colorado are reminded of fire bans in effect on the properties.
Extremely dry conditions in southeast Colorado have prompted
several counties to enact the restrictions. In general, charcoal
and gas grills are permitted; open fires and fireworks are
not. The restrictions will remain in place until lifted by
the counties.
BE BEAR AWARE
Fishermen and campers are reminded that many of their favorite
waters are in bear country. Taking simple precautions such as
not leaving food out where bears can find it and keeping a clean
camping site can avoid potential problems for people and bears
alike. The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers brochures and
other information for reducing the risk of bear encounters. They
are available at DOW offices statewide.
LIGHTNING AWARENESS
Summertime fishing also is the time for summer thunderstorms,
complete with lightning and possibly heavy rain. Colorado is
among the top states in the country for recorded lightning strikes.
Lightning poses some special hazards to fishermen, especially
if they are on or near large bodies of water, on exposed hillsides,
or carrying graphite fishing rods.
When
thunderheads are building up, it’s best to get off
the water quickly. Seek appropriate shelter, but avoid tall objects
such as trees. If necessary, lie flat on the ground under low-profile
brush until the storm passes. Don’t carry graphite rods
or aluminum rod cases; leave them on the ground, find shelter
and return for them later.
SOUTHEAST COLORADO SHORELINE CLOSURES
Visitors to several popular southeast-Colorado reservoirs are
asked to be mindful of potential closures to protect endangered
birds. Sections of shoreline at John Martin Reservoir are closed
to protect piping plovers and least terns. Portions of Adobe
Creek Reservoir (Blue Lake) and the Queens State Wildlife Area
complex of lakes could also be affected.
The
size and location of closed areas varies from site to site
and year to year. Signs
marking the closure areas are posted every 50-75 feet, and
buoy lines are set up in the water. Despite
the closures, most of the area around the reservoirs remains
open to normal activities. People are encouraged to go to reservoirs
and enjoy the water, keeping in mind that small portions will
be marked as closed.
RECENT STOCKING
The following recently were stocked with catchable trout:
| Body of Water |
Location |
| Alta
Lake, Lower |
SW of
Telluride |
| Animas
River #2 |
Above
Durango |
| Antero
Reservoir |
SW of
Hartsel |
| Beaver
Lake |
E of
Marble |
| Big
Meadows Reservoir |
SW of
South Fork |
| Brown
Lake, Lower |
W of
Creede |
| Chambers
Lake |
NE of
Cameron Pass |
| Christine
Lake |
NE of
Basalt |
| DeWeese
Reservoir |
N of
Westcliffe |
| Dolores
River #4 |
Above
Dolores |
| Dolores
River #5 |
Above
West Fork |
| Dolores
River, West Fork |
NW of
Stoner |
| Emerald
Lake |
SW of
Leadville |
| Fetcher
City Pond |
Steamboat
Springs |
| Flatiron
Reservoir |
NW of
Berthoud |
| Green
Mountain Falls Lake |
Green
Mountain Falls |
| Hayden
Meadows Reservoir |
S of
Leadville |
| Le Platt
Lake |
Bayfield |
| Monument
Lake |
Monument |
| Mountain
Home Reservoir |
SE of
Fort Garland |
| Quincy
Reservoir |
Aurora |
| Riverside
Ponds |
N of
Salida |
| Runyon
Lake |
Pueblo |
| San
Isabel Lake |
NW of
Rye |
| San
Miguel River #3 |
Above
Norwood Hill Bridge |
| Skaguay
Reservoir |
E of
Victor |
| Smith
Reservoir |
S of
Blanca |
| South
Catamount Reservoir |
S of
Woodland Park |
| Spectacle
Lake |
W of
Antonito |
| Spring
Creek Pond |
W of
Creede |
| Trinidad
Reservoir |
W of
Trinidad |
| Trout
Lake |
SW of
Telluride |
| Tucker
Creek Ponds |
NE of
Wolf Creek Pass |
For
more information about Division of Wildlife go to: http://wildlife.state.co.us
