Colorado Report

Northwest

Blue River (Dillon to Green Mtn. Res.) — As spring approaches, fishing between Silverthorne and Green Mountain Res. should begin to pick up. Flows coming out of Dillon Dam have jumped to about 508 cubic feet per second in anticipation of a big runoff year. Fish should be a little less picky and will be holding in the softer water along the edges and in deep pools.

Colorado River (below Parshall) — Tuesday’s flows were 305 cfs at Windy Gap, 610 cfs near Parshall and 1,380 cfs near Kremmling, below the Blue River confluence. Though the river may carry some color on a given day, as a rule it is fishably clear.

Colorado River (Glenwood to Rifle) — Recent flows were 2,050 cfs in Glenwood Springs. With temperatures rising, the river has become unfishable.

Crystal River — Recent river flows were at 256 cfs in Carbondale. The river is a very temperamental stream this time of year, as daily weather can cause off-color water. Fish up near Redstone.

Elk River — The river is open and on cooler days has been fishably clear on the Christina State Wildlife Area.

Elkhead Res. — The lake is open for boating and fishing. The ice went off last week and things are looking good.

Fryingpan River — The river has been exceptional lately, with flows at 325 cfs last week. Mysis shrimp are by far the way to go up near the dam. Look for some superb hatches of midges and blue-winged olives between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the middle river. The nymph fishing is equally good prior to and after the hatches.

Harvey Gap Res. — The ice is off the lake and it is open for boating. The trout are very active and fishing is picking up.

Highline Lake — Early season warm-water fishing has been slow. A few crappie are being caught, but fishing for bass and catfish is slow. Trout fishing has been fair using typical trout baits and spinners.

Mack Mesa Lake — Trout have been stocked three times this spring and fishing has been good on salmon eggs, Power Bait and spinners. The lake is full and shore access is good.

Rifle Gap Res. — Open for boating and one courtesy ramp is in the water. Trout are very active and appear very healthy. Several thousand 10- to 12-inch rainbows were stocked last week.

Rio Blanco Lake — Though early season fishing has been slow, crappie recently have become active.

Roaring Fork River — The river is running clear from Aspen down to Brush Creek, just below Jaffe Park. Recent flows have been 541 cfs in Basalt and 868 cfs in Glenwood Springs. Fishing below the Crystal River confluence has been touch-and-go. The nymph fishing has been superb up high.

Steamboat Lake — Ice fishing has been very good all winter but is slowing down. Nice-sized fish are still being caught, but fewer of them.

Vega Res. — Winter is still around at Vega, with approximately 1-2 feet of snow on the ground and 15-20 inches of ice on the reservoir. About two feet of open water can be found around edges of the lake, and slushy ice is on top of 15-20 inches of rotten ice.

Williams Fork River — Tuesday’s flow was 179 cfs. Look for trout to be moving into riffles and shallower runs. Nymphing with the usual small patterns is possible.

Yampa River (Stagecoach through Steamboat) — The river has been up and down, reflecting variations in the weather. On most days it has been muddy, and though the section through town might become fishably clear for a brief time after a cold night, the tailwater below Stagecoach Dam offers the only reliable conditions.

Southwest

Animas River — Low runoff has discolored the river. Muddy conditions are likely to continue through the main runoff into early summer.

Blue Mesa Res. — The Iola basin is 100 percent open and the boat ramp is usable. Look for full ice-out by May 2 or May 3.

Crawford Res. — The fishing was reported as fair to good over the weekend. Other than perch, all species were being caught.

Dolores River (lower) — Flows of 500 to 3,000 cfs below McPhee Dam can be expected until mid-June. When the spring runoff ends, dam releases will be reduced to about 70 cfs for the remainder of the summer.

East River — Monday was flowing at 460 cfs, up significantly from last week. On all but the coolest days, it has been discolored and difficult to fish.

Gunnison River (below Crystal Dam) — Flows are up to 3,200 cfs. The road down to fish the East Portal has reopened. Rainbows are spawning, so watch the redds. Fish frequently hold closer to the edges at higher flows. Look for an afternoon hatch of BWOs.

Gunnison River (through the canyon) — The flow in the Gunnison Gorge has been 3,230 cfs and should remain about that level for some time. Fish the high water by working the back side of runs.

Gunnison River (Almont to Blue Mesa) — Monday’s flow was 1,290 cfs, up from a week ago. The upper reaches might still be fishable, but the Ohio and Tomichi Creek tributaries have muddied the lower portions. Expect a prolonged runoff.

McPhee Res. — The lake is ice-free, but the water remains cold. Early season fishing for trout can be fairly good. Look for crappie fishing to take off in a week or two.

Miramonte Res. — The ice is completely gone, the boat ramps are open and the docks should be in place by the weekend. Fishing from the banks has been fair, with people catching mostly 10- to 14-inch rainbows on Power Bait and salmon eggs. Some larger fish also have been reported.

Mountain Home Res. — The reservoir is free of ice and about half full. Fishing for 17- to 19-inch rainbow trout is reported as good.

Narraguinnep Res. — Free of ice. Fishing for pan-sized trout has been fair to good.

Navajo Res. — The water temperature is 50 degrees, the level is rising and the water is stained from runoff. Fishing for bass has been slow on the Colorado side.

Ridgway Fishing Ponds — The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk area of Ridgway State Park is the only water below the dam not restricted to artificial flies and lures or catch-and-release fishing. A limit of four trout may be kept.

Ridgway Res. — The lake is free of ice and the boat ramps are open. The water level is dropping and the temperature is in the 40s.

Sanchez Res. — The lake is free of ice. Sampling last fall documented an abundance of walleyes ranging from 13 to 23 inches in length, in addition to northern pike. Pike fishing is picking up with warming water temperatures. A 9-pound pike was caught last weekend. Most anglers are using cut baits (suckers) from shore.

Smith Res. (San Luis Valley) — Ice-free and has refilled after very low water last summer. Trout fishing was reported as slow.

Summit Res. — The lake was chemically treated to remove non-native white suckers last summer and has been restocked with 20,000 8- to 9-inch rainbow trout. The trout should be 10-11 inches next summer, providing some good opportunities for fishermen.

Taylor River — Monday’s flows were 501 cfs at Almont and 400 cfs below Taylor Dam, both up a little from last week. Portions of the river may be fishably clear, but wading has become difficult. Look for tributaries to rise and add discoloration with warmer weather.