Colorado Fishing Reports

COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE’S WEEKLY FISHING REPORT
October 21, 2008

With the falling of the aspen leaves, high-country fishing in Colorado inevitably is coming to an end. Nighttime temperatures routinely drop below the freezing mark, and skims of ice are evident on beaver ponds and the quiet edges of mountain creeks. Patches of snow have appeared on some mountain slopes, and ice is becoming a possibility on Alpine lakes.

Though periods of pretty good fishing still are possible on the warm days, the magic times of summer are gone. The seasons have changed and with the colder weather, fishing in the mountains no longer is the simple pure pleasure of summer and early fall.

Major streams generally are low and clear. With dropping water temperatures, the primary hatches of summer have pretty much run their course. Blue-wing-olive mayflies and midges once again provide the main activity for fly fishermen, though hatches are likely to occur later in the day. Many anglers don’t even arrive on the water before late morning, anticipating surface activity to begin shortly before noon and continue until the lengthening shadows appear on the water.

Though fishing in lakes and reservoirs at somewhat lower elevations also is slowing down a little, trout still are active. They may be cruising in shallow water fairly close to shore, opportunistically feeding on whatever comes along, perhaps bulking up for the coming winter.

In many popular waters, crayfish are the forage of choice. Flies and lures that suggest crayfish to trout are among the most productive. Fly fishermen often use Woolly Buggers and other streamers this time of year. Lure casters throw tube jigs and various crankbaits to good effect. Though fishing early and late still might be best, good activity at other times of the day also is likely.

For anglers after bigger game, mackinaw may be in shallower water, as accessible to fishermen with standard fishing tackle as they’ll ever be.

Many low-elevation lakes including urban-area waters that were too warm for trout during the summer once again are being stocked with catchable-sized fish, providing plenty of close-to-home opportunities.

Warm water fishing has slowed with cooler temperatures, but some decent activity with perch, catfish, white bass and crappie still is possible.

SALMON GIVEAWAYS
The Colorado Division of Wildlife collects spawn from kokanee salmon at several locations in the fall and usually gives the spawned-out salmon to licensed anglers. The Roaring Judy hatchery plans to give away salmon on the final three Fridays of October and possibly Nov. 7, beginning at 9 a.m. People with valid Colorado fishing licenses will receive salmon as supplies permit. Giveaways near Shadow Mountain Reservoir and other locations may be announced as the season progresses. For specific information, contact DOW area offices in Hot Sulphur Springs, Gunnison or Durango.

ANTERO, TARRYALL AND WILLIAMS FORK TO CLOSE FOR BOATING
Williams Fork and Tarryall reservoirs will be closed to trailered boats for the season on Oct. 31, and Antero Reservoir will close on Nov. 28. Hand-launch vessels still will be allowed on all, and all are to reopen to boating next spring. Freeze-up at the reservoirs usually occurs in late October or November.
Mandatory bat-inspection procedures at all three were enacted last summer in an effort to control the spread of invasive zebra and quagga mussels. Recent sampling did not find evidence of the mussels at Antero and Williams Fork, but confirmed the presence of quagga mussels larvae at Tarryall.

GRANBY WEEKEND BOAT INSPECTIONS
Inspections are conducted randomly at the Stillwater and Sunset Point ramps from sunrise to sunset Friday through Sunday, when 95 percent of the reservoir’s boating typically occurs. The Arapaho Bay ramp is closed during that time. The reservoir will remain open and all ramps will be accessible at other times. Expanded inspections are planned as additional staffing and resources become available.

ANTERO BOAT INSPECTIONS
Trailered boats are permitted on the lake from ½ hour before sunrise to ½ hour after sunset seven days a week. All trailered boats must be inspected at the north ramp before launching. Boats must be off the water ½ hour after sunset.

TARRYALL BOAT INSPECTIONS
Trailered boats are allowed on the lake from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Thursday through Monday. Before launching, trailered boats must be inspected at the north ramp off Park County Road 77. Hand-launched craft such as float tubes, canoes and nonmotorized rowboats are permitted at all times. Boaters may not create a white-water wake.

ADDITIONAL INSPECTIONS AND 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, Elevenmile, Spinney Mountain, Aurora, Quincy and Ridgway reservoirs. 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 The boating season at Standley Lake has ended, and the boat ramp at Rampart Reservoir is inaccessible. Trailered and all motor-powered boats are prohibited on 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.

MUSSEL PRECAUTIONS
Zebra and quagga mussels are non-native invasive mollusks that are 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

JERRY CREEK RESERVOIRS CLOSURE
The Jerry Creek Reservoirs northeast of Grand Junction again are closed to public access for a final phase of construction on the dam and spillway. A date for reopening has not been announced.

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.

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.

Home	Links	Chat	Guides	Tackle Shops	Boats4sale
Fish'n Kids	Tournaments	Pro Tips	Tackle Mfrs	Boat Dealers