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 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 so it is imperative to use a slow and steady approach to the water, especially on the smaller creeks and streams where the fish can easily be spooked out of their feeding lanes. 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 4/2/2019, the lake is about 99 percent ice capped. Thickness is between 8 and 20 inches. There is a very small amount of open water near the inlet. No shoreline open water available for fishing as of yet. Late ice season is underway and again caution is advised as the edges of the ice will be the first to give way and can leave a gap of open water between the ice and shore. Fishing for trout, Kokanee Salmon, and Pike can all be classified as good. Anglers are reporting success with a variety of jigging spoons in the slightly deeper water for Kokanee and success throughout the lake for trout. Pike anglers are catching the fish very shallow on tip ups or jigs tipped with sucker meat.
Eleven Mile State Park

Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

As of 4/5/2019, 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: 118 CFS (4/5/2019) 
Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

Antero Reservoir

As of 4/4/2019, although reports are that there is still about 20 inches of ice present, it is important to remember that during late ice season conditions can change rapidly. Warmer weather mixed with the wind that South Park is known for can deteriorate ice conditions very quickly. Anglers are advised to be prepared with self-rescue equipment and fish with a friend this time of year. As for the fishing reports, fishing activity is still slow. Most anglers believe this is due to lowered oxygen levels and most of the fish sticking to the deepest parts of the lake where there is current and oxygen available.
Antero Reservoir 

North Sterling State Park

As of 3/31/2019, water temp is about 40 degrees. Fishing report - not enough reports coming in for reliable information but in general it is slow. The Reservoir is OPEN to BOATING. The Inlet is ON and the Outlet is OFF.
North Sterling State Park 

Boyd Lake 

As of 4/3/2019, water temperature was at 45 degrees 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 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–7:00pm during the month of April. Decontamination hours are 8:00am–6:00 pm. 
Boyd Lake

Jackson Lake

As of 4/1/2019, surface water temperature is approximately 45 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

St. Vrain State Park

As of 4/5/2019, there are 11 fishable ponds at St. Vrain, which are stocked on a regular basis. St. Vrain is one of the best locations for anglers to really get into a mixed bag of species. With water temperatures on the ponds increasing trout are active as well as many warm water species becoming active. Anglers have reported success catching panfish, bass, and even some saugeye.
St. Vrain

Barr Lake State Park

As of 3/31/2019, sunny days and warm weather are warming up the water temperatures, getting the fish to start to move around. Try for early season trout around the boat ramp area with worms or grubs fished slowly near the bottom. The lake is still currently closed to all vessels (including hand launched). We will be open for boating on Saturday, April 13th. See you then! 
Barr Lake

Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado

Arkansas River-Lake Pueblo

As of 4/5/2019, flows have increased dramatically over the last couple weeks in anticipation of runoff. Warmer days and warmer water temperatures have seen some blue wing olive hatches as well as actively feeding fish. Some anglers are having success using caddis larva nymphs as well as generalist mayfly nymphs such as Pheasant Tails or Hare’s Ears in the 12-18 size ranges. Flows: 304 CFS (4/5/2019) 
Arkansas River at Pueblo Reservoir 

Lake Pueblo

As of 4/2/2019, water temperatures varies around the lake but the average is about 49 degrees. Walleye fishing has been good on the east end of the reservoir fishing the coves where the water is slightly warmer. Some anglers are also reporting some success catching walleye further west along the north shoreline. There have been a few reports of crappie and wiper being caught near Turkey Creek with some rather large crappie being seen. Be sure to check the 2019 Fishing Brochure for updates on new Pueblo Specific Regulations for 2019. Boat Ramp/Inspection Station hours are currently 6am – 7 pm. 
Lake Pueblo

Arkansas River Buena Vista to Canon City

As of 4/1/2019, 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. With the reduced flows coming out of Twin Lakes anglers are encouraged to take advantage of great fishing conditions over the next week! Midges have been productive in the cooler morning hours as well as golden stonefly nymphs, and caddis larva nymphs. During the warmer parts of the day Blue Wing Olive hatches are starting to be seen. Flows: 560 CFS (4/1/2019) 
Arkansas River – Near Salida 

Trinidad Lake State Park

As of 4/3/2019, the lake is at 742 surface acres with a surface elevation of 6185.68. South Shore fishermen are catching Rainbow Trout on PowerBait. The Rainbow Trout are ranging in size from 10 to 12 inches. 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

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 4/1/2019, trout fishing success varies from fair to good using PowerBait along the dam. Some fly anglers have been doing well on the west side of the dam. Some nice size trout have been caught off the dam. For more information, call 303-326-8425. Park hours April 6:00am-8:30pm.
Aurora Reservoir

Cherry Creek

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. The lake opened for boating on March 28th. As of 4/4/2019, anglers have reported success fishing for walleye at night trolling jerk baits slowly just below the surface. During the day walleye anglers are trolling much deeper in front of the dam focusing on the fish that are feeding out in the open basin of the reservoir. There have been some reports of crappie being caught as the water warms near 50 degrees. 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. 
Cherry Creek Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir

This 1,356 impoundment is located in Chatfield State Park. As of 4/4/2019, water temperatures are starting to hit 50 degrees in the afternoons. With the warmer water temperatures anglers targeting bass have been able to catch a few along the rocky shorelines. The best baits for the Smallmouth right now is jerk baits fished slowly with longer pauses between jerks. Anglers targeting walleye are still having the most success at night trolling crankbaits in the shallow water. Daytime walleye bites are expected to pick up soon 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 on the bottom such as nightcrawlers or PowerBait.
Chatfield Reservoir

Quincy Reservoir

Opened March 1st. As of 4/1/2019 Open to boating. Electric trolling motors only. Bass fishing slow to fair 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. For more information, call 303-326-8424. Park Hours April 6:00am-8:30pm.
Quincy Reservoir

Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado

Blue River

As of 4/5/2019, 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 (4/5/2019) 
Blue River - Silverthorne 

Colorado River

As of 4/5/2019, flows have increased by about 30 percent over the last couple weeks and water temperatures are on the rise. 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: 621 CFS (4/5/2019) 
Colorado River - Near Kremmling 

Lake John

As of 3/30/2019, Area Lakes are still pushing about 22-24 inches of good ice, however if you hit one of the sunny, warmer days, the top several inches will be slush by mid-morning. All of these lakes have roughly 5 to 6 inches of snow on top of the ice and then that layer of slush under the snow. Main roads are presently in great condition, however you can expect entrance roads and parking areas adjacent to the lakes to get sloppy and even muddy due to the melting while things warm up as the day progresses. The road to the south end of the lake was recently plowed and anglers are excited about being able to fish further south. The bite has slowed substantially at Lake John, anglers are reporting sporadic success as it seems the trout are much more particular about presentation currently.
Lake John

Delaney Buttes

As of 3/30/2019, North Delaney: 22 to 24 inches of ice with 2 to 8 inches of snow cover with drifting near the edges. Fishing feedback seems to be slow. South Delaney: 19 to 23 inches of ice with 4 to 10 inches of snow cover with drifting near the edges. Feedback on fishing is that south is more active than North Delaney but has slowed. East Delaney: 19 to 24 inches of ice with 3 to 10 inches of snow cover. Feedback on fishing is that the fishing is slowing down with South being slightly more active and the East being the most active. With all of the Delaney’s the most important technique is to consistently change depth, and presentation until you find what the fish want to bite on a given day or during a given hour. 
Delaney Buttes

Vega Reservoir

As of 3/30/2019, ice levels are changing rapidly, so please use caution when accessing the ice. At this time there is about 8 to 10 inches of ice with considerable slush and water pockets forming throughout the lake. The gravel pit and south road are closed for the season. We have approximately 3 to 4 feet of snow on the ground. The Visitor Center is open 7 days a week from 8:00am to 4:00pm 
Vega State Park

Rifle Gap State Park

As of 4/4/2019, the ice just came off the reservoir. Pike are starting to move into the shallow sections of the lake to spawn. Pike can be caught early in the season using swimbaits as well as crankbaits that are fished slowly. As soon as pike move out of the spawn fish will begin feeding heavily to replenish energy lost. Perch fishing is currently slow but is expected to pick up.
Rifle Gap Reservoir

Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado

Blue Mesa Reservoir 

As of 3/30/2019, ice thickness just west of Elk Creek Marina is being reported at around 24 inches. Snow machines have the easiest time getting around the reservoir currently. The bite for all species seems to have slowed. Some anglers are still reporting success with Rainbow Trout and Kokanee being the most common species. Perch have still been tough to find this year. The best success for Kokanee Salmon has come with the use of a jigging machine as an attractant to pull fish in and keep them interested. Little reports of any Lake Trout action recently.
Blue Mesa Reservoir 

Navajo Reservoir

As of 4/5/2019, the lake level is 6025.72 and the water temperature at the boat ramp in Arboles is approximately 48 degrees. The boat ramp is now open daily, however, mud at the bottom of the ramp could cause problems launching the largest boats. Boats should launch down the center of the ramp to avoid mud under water on either side of the ramp. There have been some large catfish caught recently, and it has been reported that the crappie have started in La Jara, however the water is still muddy due to runoff
Navajo State Park

Crawford State Park

As of 3/30/2019, there have been no recent reports of fish being caught. Ice has just melted and the lake is completely open water now. 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