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Colorado Master Angler Program
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Antero Remains dry and is not likely to refill until the water supply improves.
Cheesman Reclamation work in the wake of the 2002 Hayman fire is now finished but Denver Water says the reservoir will remain closed to fishing all year because of a remaining danger from still-standing burned snags. Crews will spend the summer removing them.
Elkhead The reservoir will be drained in the summer of 2005 for major reconstruction that will double its water capacity. Refilling will start in the summer of 2007.
Flagler Drought caused a total fish die-off. The reservoir will be restocked when water levels improve.
Horsetooth This popular foothills reservoir west of Fort Collins is full again after being drawn down for major reconstruction. It has a rebuilt dam, new marina and improved fish habitat. Although no game fish have been stocked in three years the lake still harbors smallmouth bass, walleyes, crappie and bluegills that will fatten fast on the rich plankton created by vegetation that grew up on the reservoir's floor and exposed banks when the water level was low.
Milavec - Although it has been stocked with catchable trout, Milavec Reservoir in Frederick will remain closed to fishing until July 1. The lake is still filling after being drained for habitat improvement last year and it will not be ready for public use until the shoreline is replanted and a sprinkler system is installed.
Prospect Lake, Palmer Lake, Monument Lake and Rosemont Reservoir -- These bodies of water are either drained or will be drained in the near future. Their fisheries will be rebuilt as conditions allow.
Ramah Reservoir This lake northeast of Colorado Springs is fed by a small drainage, doesnt get much water and usually runs dry every five years. It currently has no water and will not be restocked with warm-water fish under conditions improve.
Rampart Reservoir The U.S. Forest Service has completed construction projects here, water level is at about 85 percent of capacity and the reservoir will be open for fishing this summer. In the event of an orange terrorism alert, it will be closed to boating and vehicular access.
Tarryall -- Dam repairs have been completed and the reservoir is ready to start storing water, but not much is available. At best, it may be partially filled but the entire State Wildlife Area is likely to remain closed to the public this year.
Thurston Reservoir Went dry as a result of drought and not likely to refill this year.
To read more, see Fishing Information & Stocking Report.
Conditions Report:
Denver Metro Region
Arvada Reservoir - Stocked again last week so trout fishing should be good. Use Power Bait, salmon eggs, worms and small silver spinners for trout. A leech on a twister jig works well for walleyes. Also, troll slowly with a night crawler on a harness. Only electric motors are allowed, no gasoline.
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Aurora Reservoir - The $25,000 Tagged Fish Tournament drew 800 anglers but no one caught it. So that fish and another one tagged for $5,000 will be worth $500 to anyone who registered for the tournament or $100 to any unregistered angler who catches them before the end of the year. A 5-pound rainbow won one lucky angler a fishing boat and plenty of other prizes were awarded. Fishing for trout remains good, bass are hitting on soft plastics in the coves and wipers are becoming more active. Large schools are being seen all over the lake and a few nice fish have been caught on Rapalas, crankbaits and rainbow-patterned plastics. Walleye fishing is fair using bottom bouncers and jigs. Only electric motors are allowed on boats. Park hours for May are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Barr Lake - Anglers are catching rainbow trout with Power Bait and live minnows. Smallmouth bass are starting to hit on 3-inch plastic grubs on jigs. The lake is open to boating with hand-propelled craft such as canoes and kayaks and boats with motors of 10 horsepower or less.
More info Interactive Map
Bear Creek - Good dry fly action is being reported between Kittridge and Evergreen. Fish late mornings and evenings with dry/dropper rigs featuring an Elk Hair Caddis or Pale Morning Dun in front and a San Juan Worm.
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Bear Creek Reservoir - Fishing for stocker rainbows has been good using worms and rainbow or orange Power Bait. Small Rapalas or other minnow-type lures fished from a boat are also effective.
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Berkeley Lake - Rainbows are being caught on Power Bait in about 5 feet of water. A few small bluegills can be caught on Gulp maggots.
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Centennial Park Lake - Catfish are biting on stinkbait and chicken livers late in the afternoon. Some trout are being taken on live minnows and Tasmanian Devils, mostly in the mornings.
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Chatfield Ponds - Fishing has picked up for largemouth and smallmouth bass and catfish. For bass use a plastic worm fished slowly on the bottom. Darker colors work best. For catfish use shiners or stinkbait.
More info Interactive Map
Chatfield Reservoir - Stocked with trout last week and smallmouth bass are becoming more active around Massey Draw. Use live shiners for smallmouths, suspended about 6 feet below a bobber. Nice walleyes are being caught on leeches off Fox Hill and Catfish Flats. Troll slowly in the morning, bouncing your bait on the bottom 10 feet deep.
More info Interactive Map
Cheesman Reservoir - Reclamation work in the wake of the 2002 Hayman fire is now finished but the reservoir will remain closed to fishing all year because of a danger posed by still-standing burned snags.
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Cherry Creek Reservoir - Some walleyes are being caught in the old Cherry Creek channel on leeches, Reef Runner lures and Gulp grubs. Troll your bait 10 feet deep. Some wiper and crappie are hitting in the evenings on night crawlers and shiners below a bobber. Fish the area between the west boat ramp and the marina.
More info Interactive Map
Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) - Use a San Juan Worm with a Stimulator and Blue Dun for trout. Rainbows, brookies, cutthroats and browns can be caught here. Most are small but they feed actively all day.
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Clear Lake - Best bets here are Zeke's Floating Bait and Power Bait. Most rainbows and brookies are small but plentiful. Mornings are best. This lake is located above Georgetown heading up Guinella Pass.
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Evergreen Lake - Stocked trout are hitting Power Bait and worms. Keep the bait just above the bottom to avoid any suckers. One tiger muskie was caught last week on a frozen sucker.
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Georgetown Lake - This lake harbors many small trout. Worms and Power Bait work best, fished on the bottom in the mornings.
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Gross Reservoir - Fishing here has been very slow. No trout or tiger muskies have been caught recently.
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Jim Baker Reservoir - Some bluegills are being caught on worms and Gulp maggots while trout are hitting on Power Bait and salmon eggs. Best fishing time is in the morning.
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Ketring Park Lake - The lake was drained last year to make it deeper and add structure for fish habitat. It will be restocked with warm-water species but they will take some time to reach respectable size.
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Main Lake - The lake has been stocked with trout and bass fishing has improved. Cast a small spinnerbait along the bottom, late in the mornings. Small silver spinners and Tasmanian Devils work best for trout.
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Palmer Lake - Not worth fishing. This is one of several lakes that went dry or will be drained this year and no fish have been stocked.
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Quincy Reservoir - Restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Bass fishing is good and getting better every day. Use crankbaits or soft plastics, especially crayfish or lizard imitations on Texas or Carolina rigs. Trout fishing has been slow to fair. Beadhead Prince Nymphs, midge patterns and Pheasant Tails are still most productive for flyfishers. Best times early mornings and evenings. Lure casters have had some success trolling flies and pink Tasmanian Devils or Rapalas. Park hours for May are 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
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Rocky Mountain Lake - Filled with stocker trout that can be caught on Power Bait, Crave Bait, salmon eggs and worms.
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Sloans Lake - Fishing was slow last week. Try using live minnows for crappie and salmon eggs for trout. Large carp here can be caught with a single piece of corn on a hook.
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Smith Reservoir - Bass action is picking up on plastic worms or jigs fished on the bottom. Gulp worms work best on a Texas rig.
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South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) - Fly fishing slowed somewhat this past week but is still very good. Use small nymphs, such as Hare's Ears or Pheasant Tails. The farther up the canyon you go the better.
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Standley Lake - Lake is nearly full, open for boating and fishing is good for wipers and crappie at the inlet. Use live minnows for both. Stocker trout continue to be caught on Power Bait, worms and spinners. Water temperature is in the upper 40s. Drive-in access from 7 a.m. to sunset. Call the park office at 303-425-1097 for updated fishing conditions.
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