Conditions Report - Statewide

Statewide Conditions 

With spring starting to take hold of most of the rivers and streams across the state now is one of the best times to get out and target trout with a fly rod or light spinning tackle before runoff makes many of the states waterways dangerous to fish. This time of year midges are still great for producing numbers of fish. With warming water temperatures and longer days the trout’s metabolism is increasing meaning they have to feed more throughout the day. We are also starting to see mayfly nymphs, emergers, and even dry flies producing some action. Flows are still relatively low in most areas of the state but are beginning to increase steadily so it is imperative to get out and take advantage of a short window that offers great fishing especially on the smaller creeks and streams. Fish are starting to be found in smaller pocket water and riffles compared to the deeper pools that they have been holding in throughout the winter.
Colorado Fishing Atlas

Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado

Eleven Mile State Park

As of 4/15/2019, shoreline anglers are catching some nice trout. This morning a nice 22 inch Rainbow was caught at the cove down below the Park Office. Unknown what it was caught on. We do not have many fishing reports since ice fishing has pretty much ended. We would not recommend going out on the ice at this time due to so many shoreline areas opening up. The ice is very gray and most shorelines are starting to see open water. We are not seeing any open water as of yet in the Coyote Ridge area which is at the North East end of the reservoir.
Eleven Mile State Park

Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

As of 4/19/2019, flows have increased with the releasing of water from Cheesman Reservoir. Look for small midges and emerger patterns to be productive in the open runs and deeper pools. Also try smaller slow riffles in the warming afternoon. Anglers are reporting some dry fly hatches being seen. Mayfly patterns such as blue wing olives have been the best fish producing dry flies. Flows: 179 CFS (4/19/2019) 
Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

Antero Reservoir

As of 4/11/2019, the ice is starting to pull away from the shore, reports of as much as 30 feet of open water between the shore and ice sheet. The south shore has slightly better access onto the ice however that is quickly deteriorating as well. Anglers are having limited success using jigs fished mid water column. To be successful currently anglers must be in a good cruising area for trout where it is most likely to have fish come through and feed.
Antero Reservoir 

North Sterling State Park

As of 4/17/2019, water temp is about 50 degrees. Generally fishing has been slow with some anglers reporting a few catches of walleye, crappie, and wiper. The water clarity is becoming poor with less than 1 foot of visibility. As the season progresses expect fishing to pick up as the water temperatures rise. Reservoir is OPEN to BOATING. The Inlet is ON and the Outlet is OFF.
North Sterling State Park 

Boyd Lake 

As of 4/19/2019, water temperature was near 50.3 degrees in the morning and fishing reported fair to good for bluegill and trout. Trolling seems to be the ticket early in the year. Anglers are reporting good success catching trout and walleye trolling crankbaits at various depths and speeds. The walleye seem to be deeper in the 20 to 30 foot range while the trout are much closer to the surface. Anglers targeting white bass and crappie are reporting limited success however that should change once the inlets begin flowing. The main boat ramp and Heron Cover (north) ramp are open for launching. Boat Inspectors will be available at the ANS Inspection Station from 7:00am to 7:00pm during the month of April. Decontamination hours are 8:00am to 6:00 pm. 
Boyd Lake

Jackson Lake

As of 4/18/2019, surface water temperature is approximately 53 degrees. Fishing has been slow to good for crappie, walleye, saugeye and wipers. Most of the wiper action has been reported near the inlet while the walleye action is closer to the dam.
Jackson Lake State Park

Barr Lake State Park

As of 4/14/2019, water clarity is reported as good. There is some floating debris throughout the lake, boaters are encouraged to use caution while navigating the lake. Fishing remains slow as anglers await the warmer water temperatures to really kick things off. Anglers have reported some success for trout using nightcrawlers or PowerBait off the bottom.
Barr Lake

Tarryall Reservoir

As of 4/18/2019, access to the ice is nearly impossible. Recent reports show that there is upwards of 10 feet of open water between shore and the ice around nearly the entire lake. Look for early open water pike fishing to be very successful as the pike are shallow feeding in preparation for the upcoming spawn. Anglers should also be able to have good success from shore fishing for trout with spoons and spinners.
Tarryall Reservoir

Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado

Arkansas River-Lake Pueblo

As of 4/19/2019, flows have stabilized at about 200 CFS. Anglers are reporting success using a wide variety of techniques. Fly anglers are reporting success using generalist mayfly nymphs such as Hare’s Ears or Pheasant Tails in a wide variety of sizes. Spin casting anglers have had success using spoons or in-line spinners in gold or silver colors. Flows: 198 CFS (4/19/2019) 
Arkansas River at Pueblo Reservoir 

Lake Pueblo

As of 4/18/2019, water temperatures are reaching the low 50’s. Anglers are still having some success catching walleye on jerk baits during the day fishing main lake points. If the bite slows anglers have been able to pick up fish jigging soft plastics on top of those same points. Wiper have been caught but are tough to find currently. Anglers are finding warmer water towards the western portion of the reservoir which is where the bass and crappie fishing have been most productive. Look for submerged timber and brush for the crappies and rock ledges for the bass. Be sure to check the 2019 Fishing Brochure for updates on new Pueblo Specific Regulations for 2019. Boat Ramp/Inspection Station hours are currently 5:00am – 11:00pm. 
Lake Pueblo

Arkansas River Buena Vista to Canon City

As of 4/19/2019, water temperatures are in the mid 40’s in the upper stretches and getting into low 50’s in the lower reaches of this section. The increased water temperatures are kicking the fish’s metabolism into high gear meaning fish are actively feeding more and more each day. Midges have been productive in the cooler morning hours as well as golden stonefly, and caddis larva nymphs. During the warmer parts of the day Blue Wing Olive hatches are starting to be seen. Flows: 520 CFS (4/19/2019) 
Arkansas River – Near Salida 

Trinidad Lake State Park

As of 4/17/2019, the lake is at a surface elevation of 6188.65. Anglers are catching Rainbow Trout on PowerBait. The Rainbow Trout are ranging in size from 12 to 15 inches. Boaters are having excellent success catching trout. Trolling with worms or spinners seems to be the go to rig. The perch and walleye fishing should improve as the water continues to warm. The boat ramp is open, inspection hours are from 8:00am to 4:00pm daily. If there is not an inspector at the ramp, please call the ranger cell phone numbers at 719-859-0480 or 719-989-7194 or the visitor center at 719-846-6951 from 8:00am to 4:00pm.
Trinidad Lake

Adobe Creek Reservoir

As of 4/15/2019, fishing for crappies has been good using minnows and jigs. Anglers fishing from boats have had better success than shore fisherman. The dam road at blue lake is closed until at least mid-May as the outlet structure is being replaced. Anglers are reminded to not use the dam road. Anglers will not be able to fish from the outlet structure until construction is completed. Water levels are low, the “old” low water boat ramp is usable.
Adobe Creek Reservoir

North Gateway Park

As of 4/16/2019, Trout fishing is very good right now on all three ponds. People are having luck catching trout with almost all baits. A few crappie and catfish are starting to be caught, but not in great numbers.
Northgate Ponds

Conditions Report - Metro Denver Area

Aurora Reservoir

This 762-acre impoundment is located off of E. Quincy Avenue, two miles east of E-470. Open to boating. Electric trolling motors only. As of 4/17/2019, water temperatures ranged from 45 to 50 degrees. Trout scattered throughout the lake with some nice fish around 18 inches being caught. Yellow Perch and Walleye also scattered but holding in the deeper water around 30 feet. Anglers reporting some success catching walleye on jigs or blade baits. For more information, call 303-326-8425. Park hours April 6:00am-8:30pm.
Aurora Reservoir

Cherry Creek

This 881-acre impoundment is located in Cherry Creek State Park, in Aurora. There are two entrances to the park, the east entrance off S. Dayton St. and the west entrance off S. Parker Rd. As of 4/17/2019, water temperatures are being reported in the mid 50’s. During the day walleye anglers are trolling deep water in front of the dam focusing on the fish that are feeding out in the open basin of the reservoir. Fishing for trout has been consistent with anglers catching fish on a variety of lures or baits including casting spoons and in-line spinner baits. There have also been a few reports of anglers catching some crappie in the shallower sections of the reservoir where the water tends to be a bit warmer.
Cherry Creek Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir

This 1,356 acre impoundment is located in Chatfield State Park. As of 4/17/2019, water temperatures are sitting in the mid 50’s in the afternoons. With the warmer water temperatures anglers targeting bass have been able to catch a few along the rocky shorelines. Anglers have started reporting success catching smallmouth on drop shot rigs with a variety of soft plastics. Anglers targeting walleye are still having the most success at night trolling crankbaits in the shallow water. Walleye have been caught on a variety of baits from smaller shad profile baits to larger minnow profile stick baits. Most of the walleye are post spawn and feeding heavily. Daytime walleye bites are starting to pick up with fish moving off the dam from spawning and spreading out onto their typical summer structures. Fishing for trout has been fair to good off shore, anglers are catching fish with baits such as smaller inline spinners, Kastmasters, or jerk baits.
Chatfield Reservoir

Quincy Reservoir

Opened March 1st. As of 4/17/2019 open to boating. Electric trolling motors only. Bass fishing is getting better as the weather warms and stabilizes using lipless crankbaits. Reminder that the reservoir is restricted to artificial flies or lures only. Only watercraft capable of being launched by hand permitted. Vehicles and trailers are not permitted in the water. The water level is down a few feet from full pool and the clarity is being reported as off color with a visibility about 3 feet. Anglers have had some early success for bass with jerk baits fished slow or finesse jigs along the bottom. For more information, call 303-326-8424. Park Hours April 6:00am-8:30pm.
Quincy Reservoir

Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado

Blue River

As of 4/19/2019, being that this section of river is a tailwater it tends to fish very consistently year round, however with that being said the fish in this section tend to be pressured by fisherman more than other water. With that being said fishing is best with light tippet in the 6x to 7x range with small subtle presentations. Anglers have reported fish feeding on midge patterns in a variety of colors as well as some fish being caught drifting mysis shrimp. Flows: 95.2 CFS (4/19/2019) 
Blue River - Silverthorne 

Colorado River

As of 4/19/2019, water temperatures are on the rise, and fish that were lethargic and feeding in a short window of each day are now becoming much more active and feeding windows are becoming longer and longer. Fly anglers have reported success with stonefly nymphs as well as some midges. Spin casting anglers have continued to report success catching Browns on smaller jerk baits fished slow in the current or some smaller in-line spinners during the warmest parts of the day when the fish are most active. Flows: 735 CFS (4/19/2019) 
Colorado River - Near Kremmling 

Lake John

As of 4/10/2019, Open water holes are starting to appear. The main sheet of ice still ranges from 20 to 22 inches thick however access to the ice is becoming more and more difficult as the shores continue to thaw. Recent warm weather with the exception of Wednesday’s storm is causing the melting process to happen fairly rapidly. For anglers that have ventured onto the ice recently the fishing remains slow overall with sporadic success. As always with late ice season anglers are strongly encouraged to have and use all safety equipment necessary.
Lake John

Delaney Buttes

As of 4/10/2019, the ice conditions at Delaney Buttes are very similar to those of Lake John. Anglers are advised to be very cautious if venturing onto the ice. Anglers have reported some success using small flies through the ice. Generally the bite at Delaney Buttes is also much slower than it has been for a majority of the winter. 
Delaney Buttes

Vega Reservoir

As of 4/16/2019, currently the ice is receding from the shoreline with a 4 to 5 foot span of open water near the edge. Plateau Creek is starting to open up as well. The gravel pit area and the south road remain closed. We have approximately a foot of snow on the ground. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 8:00am to 4:00pm 
Vega State Park

James M Robb State Park

As of 4/14/2019, all lakes were stocked again at the beginning of April with rainbow trout. Trout fishing is be good using a variety of baits, flies and lures. Try Kastmasters in a blue and silver pattern for good success. Please ensure the responsible and ethical release of fish and properly dispose of fishing line.
James M Robb

Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado

Blue Mesa Reservoir 

As of 4/15/2019, the majority of the reservoir is still capped with ice however we are starting to see some open water on the far east end of the reservoir. Shore fisherman in the Iola basin have reported limited success catching rainbow trout. The ice cap is starting to pull away from the shore throughout most of the reservoir making access to the ice very difficult and dangerous. Currently no report as to when the reservoir may open for boating but with as much ice is still present it could be a few weeks.
Blue Mesa Reservoir 

Navajo Reservoir

As of 4/13/2019, the lake level is 6029.47 and the water temperature at the boat ramp in Arboles is approximately 48 degrees. The boat ramp is now open daily, and we believe the mud issues have been resolved due to higher water levels. Boats should still launch down the center of the ramp, however, to be sure. There have been a few catfish, pike and bass caught recently. It had been reported that the crappie had started in LaJara, however, temperatures have been colder again lately, so we haven't heard anything new recently.
Navajo State Park

Crawford State Park

As of 4/10/2019, anglers are beginning to have success catching bass as well as crappie. The key to success seems to be targeting the shallow water that warms faster. Remember that there is a lake specific limit on the bass. They must be 18 inches or larger to keep, and you can only keep ONE. Statewide limits pertain to all other species.
Crawford Reservoir

Taylor River - Below Taylor Park Reservoir

As of 4/19/2019, flows are still holding relatively low which is on track for this time of year in an attempt to keep water storage in the reservoir. This tailwater section has been fishing well lately. With winter still being felt in the Gunnison area anglers are waiting until the warmest parts of the day to fish as the slightly warmer water temperatures will cause the fish to become more active. Small midge patterns are the most effective throughout the day however anglers are also reporting some success using small Mysis Shrimp patterns as well. Keep in mind extremely light fluorocarbon tippet will help to not spook fish. Flows: 119 CFS (4/19/2019)
Taylor River