Conditions Report - Statewide

Statewide Conditions 

Welcome to the best time of the year to be fishing the flowing bodies of water around the state. Flows are still above average for this time of the year in most of the streams across the state however most have returned to a level that is very fishable and anglers are taking advantage after a long runoff season. There are a variety of bugs hatching this time of year and the fish have plenty of options. Stoneflies, caddis, mayflies, and terrestrials are all options to catch fish currently in both dries and nymphs. As always anglers that are having the most success are using streamside indicators to learn about what hatches are currently happening or have recently happened. With the decreased flows fish have started to redistribute themselves throughout the streams rather than being held tight to the banks or in the deeper slow moving pools. The low light periods of the day have been the best for dry fly action on most of the streams throughout the state, especially into the evening hours.
Colorado Fishing Atlas

Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado

Eleven Mile State Park

As of 8/1/2019, trout fishing continues to be great, the south side of the reservoir has been the most consistent. There are also a lot of trout being caught in the Lazy Boy, Rogers Mountain, and Rocking Chair area. Garlic scented PowerBait has been popular for the trout, anglers fishing with lures are having the best luck on olive colored tube jigs and spoons. Kokanee salmon fishing has slowed, the few fish that have been caught have been caught around Deer Island. Northern Pike fishing has been good with most fish being caught near Cross Creek or Stoll Mountain. Large jerk baits and spoons have been the most consistent producers for the pike. Look near weed edges and flats for good pike activity. 
Eleven Mile State Park

Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

As of 8/2/2019, even though flows are much higher than average for this time of year they are starting to stabilize which should only help the clarity and fishing. Anglers have been reporting success using some generalist nymphs as well as some dries during the afternoons. Prince nymphs and copper johns have been some good patterns as of late. Terrestrials are also starting to be productive on this stretch of the South Platte. Flows: 600 CFS (8/2/2019) 
Deckers and Cheeseman Canyon

Antero Reservoir

As of 7/28/2019, water levels remain good and the fishing continues to be fair. Anglers are having success on a variety of baits and presentations. Garlic scent seems to be the most consistent producer for the anglers fishing with bait. Hatches in the late evening have been very good and anglers are having success on a variety of dry flies and nymphs.
Antero Reservoir 

Jackson Lake

As of 7/30/2019, surface water temperature is approximately 78 degrees. The water has some green algae bloom. Fishermen are reporting success along the north shore in shallower areas of the lake. Walleye are doing fair; while Wipers are being reported as good. Most Wipers are under the 15 inch limit however, fishermen are reporting catching high numbers of them. Silver spoons in the 2 to 3 inch range have been good choices for anglers targeting wiper.
Jackson Lake State Park

Tarryall Reservoir

As of 8/1/2019, fly anglers have been having success using callibaetis dries for consistent action and numbers of fish. Other anglers are having success using Panther Martin’s or other spoons. Baits have also been working well for trout, the most consistent have been worms, PowerBait, and artificial Salmon Eggs. Anglers have also reported catching some good size pike on Rapalas or Mepps. There are large pike in the reservoir so be ready for a battle.
Tarryall Reservoir

Boyd Lake

As of 7/28/2019, water temperatures are in the mid 70’s. The fishing has been productive lately for many species. Bass fishing is good in the shallows and coves using a variety of jigs as well as artificial plastics. Some anglers are also reporting success using topwater lures to target bass. Walleye fishing has been sporadic with most anglers having success on jigs and paddletails and trolling the deeper water.
Boyd Lake

North Sterling Reservoir

As of 7/31/2019, water temperature is about 77 degrees. Carp and Drum are fair, Walleye and Crappie fishing is fair. Walleye are being caught on worms, leeches and jigs on a slow retrieval. Crappie are being caught on small jigs and minnows. Anglers are reporting the most success in slightly deeper water with the warm water temperatures. The Reservoir is OPEN to BOATING. The Inlet is OFF and the Outlet is ON. 
North Sterling Reservoir

Spinney Mountain Reservoir

As of 7/31/2019, fishing at this Gold Medal Lake continues to be good for all species. Anglers targeting trout have reported success on tube jigs along the edges of the weeds. Trout are aggressive and the best way to get a strike is to work lures faster than you would normally work them. Anglers targeting pike are having success on lures large and small. Some pike anglers are even reporting catching trophy fish on smaller lures intended for trout. Remember that no scented plastics, or bait of any kind is allowed in this reservoir.
Spinney Mountain Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir

As of 7/30/2019, water temperatures are right about 71 degrees. The warmer water temperatures and recent weather patterns seemed to have pushed the fish slightly deeper and have made fishing tough. Anglers are catching some smallmouth bass on crankbaits suspended over deep water. Anglers fishing shallow near shore are struggling to catch fish consistently. Walleye anglers have also had some success trolling deeper for suspended fish.
Horsetooth Reservoir

Barr Lake

As of 7/28/2019, 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. 
Barr Lake

Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado

Arkansas River- Below Pueblo Reservoir

As of 8/2/2019, flows are beginning to stabilize after a long runoff season. Flows are still higher than average for this time of year. Fish can be found in the softer water during heavier flows. There is about 12 to 18 inches of clarity right now on the edges of the river. This should improve as flows decrease. Anglers should focus on using bigger flies and spin anglers should concentrate using lures with more vibration to get the attention of the fish. Flows: 1210 CFS (8/2/2019)
Arkansas River at Pueblo Reservoir 

Lake Pueblo

As of 8/1/2019 fishing continues to be good for walleye, wiper, and bass. The wiper are starting to boil during the early mornings as they feed on newly hatching shad. Anglers chasing boils can have success using small silver spoons or crankbaits. Look for bird activity as an indicator of schools of shad being pushed near the surface. Walleye fishing is still consistent using swimbaits or nightcrawlers and leeches fished along the bottom. Anglers trolling are also having success catching walleye during the cooler periods of the day. Underwater points and submerged trees still seem to be the best areas. The bass are still being found at various depths but most fish are slightly deeper. Some bass have been caught in the evenings using topwater presentations such as poppers or prop baits. Anglers have been catching bass on jerk baits, ned rigs, and jigs.
Lake Pueblo

Arkansas River Buena Vista to Salida

As of 8/2/2019, water temperatures are in the low 50’s. Clarity is continuing to get better and better with recent reports at 4 plus feet. Flows are returning to normal and the peak summer fishing season is upon us. Fish are still concentrated more on the edges with slightly higher flows than average. Stonefly patterns have been working really well for producing good fish. Anglers have also reported some success catching fish on some dry terrestrial patterns such as grasshoppers or ants. This bug activity is creating fantastic opportunity for anglers to have fantastic days fishing dry-dropper rigs. Flows: 1540 CFS (8/2/2019) 
Arkansas River – Buena Vista to Salida

John Martin Reservoir

As of 7/28/2019, water temperatures are nearing 80 degrees, which can sometimes have a negative effect on fishing. Anglers are reporting success catching crappie, white bass, and walleye in shallow water from 4 to 12 feet. Jig heads fished with either twister tail grubs or paddletail grubs have been the best producers when fished slowly along the bottom. 
John Martin Reservoir

Trinidad Reservoir

As of 7/21/2019, the lake is at 799 surface acres with a surface elevation of 6190.45. All shorelines are open for fishing. Water temperatures are around 70 degrees. South shore anglers are catching trout with PowerBait and other dough baits off the bottom, 12 to 15 inch fish are common. A few smaller walleye have been reported as well. Reilly Canyon is fishing fair for catfish using worms and liver along the bottom. Trout are also commonly being caught. Anglers fishing from a boat have had success catching trout and walleye. Trolling with worms or spinners seem to be the go to rig. Most walleye are being caught in 15 to 20 feet of water. Anglers targeting smallmouth bass are having the most success early in the mornings and later into the evening hours. 
Trinidad Reservoir

Adobe Creek Reservoir

As of 7/28/2019, water temperatures are nearing 80 degrees, which can sometimes have a negative effect on fishing. Some crappie are being caught by anglers fishing in boats. Anglers fishing from shore are having the most success catching channel catfish. Popular baits for the crappie have been minnows or small jigs with twister tail grubs.
Adobe Creek Reservoir

Conditions Report - Metro Denver Area

Aurora Reservoir

This 762-acre impoundment is located off E. Quincy Avenue, two miles east of E-470. Open to boating. Electric trolling motors only. As of 8/1/2019, trout fishing from shore is slow to fair using PowerBait from the dam. Boaters are reporting fair to good success on trout trolling with pop gear and crawlers and fishing with crawlers and PowerBait off the bottom in 20 to 30 feet of water. A few reports of walleye being caught using bottom bouncers with a crawler harness. Perch action is slow to fair. Some reports of perch being caught from boats using jigs in 15 to 30 feet of water. For more information call 303-326-8425. Park hours August 5:30am to 9:00pm. Restricted to electric motors only. The reservoir will be closed August 3rd for an event.
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 7/31/2019, water temperatures are in the mid 70’s. Anglers targeting walleye are having success fishing with jigs or pulling crawlers on a slow death rig. Key depths for walleye have been from 6 to 14 feet of water. Legal walleyes have been tough to come by with most fish around the 17 inch mark. Reports of other species are inconsistent and the fishing seems to be slow. A few anglers have reported success finding crappies and catching a few here and there. Recent reports are that the shad have begun hatching and there is a large influx of baitfish into the system. In most years this makes the fishing very tough so the bite is expected to slow down.
Cherry Creek Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir

This 1,356-acre impoundment is located in Chatfield State Park. As of 7/31/2019, water temperature is now in the mid 70’s. Smallmouth bass are being caught throughout the lake on a variety of presentations. The water level of the reservoir has also decreased about 20 inches. The dam continues to be the most consistent spot to catch smallmouth. Jerk baits and other shallow running baits have been working great for numbers of fish. Anglers have caught a few real nice smallmouth as big as 17 inches. Walleye fishing has slowed down with the warmer water temperatures. Anglers have still had some success using 3 to 4 inch swimbaits fished above the weeds in the 8 to 12 foot range. The vast majority of the fish being caught are less than the minimum 18 inch length to keep for the fryer.
Chatfield Reservoir

Quincy Reservoir

As of 8/1/2019, Bass fishing is slow to fair. Best action has been in the early morning and evening using top water lures such as weedless frogs, soft plastics and chatter baits in 10 to 15 feet of water. A few reports of perch being caught using jigs. Restricted to artificial flies and 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 August 5:30am to 9:00pm.
Quincy Reservoir

Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado

Blue River

As of 8/2/2019, flows are beginning to decrease on the river, however, flows are still much higher than the average for this time of the year. Fishing is beginning to return to normal with fish sliding back to normal feeding lanes throughout the stream rather than being focused so close to the banks. There has been a variety of bug activity which has the fish feeding on a wide variety of patterns both dries and nymphs. Flows: 565 CFS (8/2/2019) 
Blue River - Silverthorne 

Colorado River

As of 8/2/2019, flows are on the downward trend and returning to a very fishable level. Anglers fishing this stretch of the Colorado have been having success fishing stonefly patterns both dries and nymphs. Some other successful patterns have been San Juan Worms, and larger Pheasant Tail or Hares Ear nymphs. The most consistent producing rig currently is a classic hopper dropper. Another successful technique for catching browns has been jerk baits fished perpendicularly through the flow letting the jerk bait swing on the pause. Flows: 1870 CFS (8/2/2019) 
Colorado River - Near Kremmling 

Lake Granby

As of 7/31/2019, water temperatures are in the high 60’s with water clarity varying through the lake but around 4 to 5 feet when fishing 70 feet of water. Fishing for brown trout has slowed down with the warmer water temperatures but fish are still being caught sporadically during the low light periods of the day. Anglers are having good success trolling for rainbow trout using pop gear and a nightcrawler or small minnow profile lures like Rapalas. Anglers reported success catching eater sized lakers on tube jigs tipped with sucker meat in 60 to 100 feet of water. 
Lake Granby

Lake John

As of 7/31/2019, fishing is sporadic with some anglers doing well while other anglers seem to be struggling. It seems everything is a few weeks behind the normal pattern for this time of year, which means the fishing should improve dramatically over the coming weeks. Rainbow colored Kastmasters have been productive when trolled or casted from a boat. Anglers fishing with bait are having success on a variety of scents and colors of PowerBait as well as worms.
Lake John

Steamboat Lake

As of 7/29/2019, reports from local fisherman are that the fishing has been great so far this year. We've heard that PowerBait has been quite successful so far. Anglers are also having luck on Kastmasters, Panther Martins, and other spoons. Most of the trout being caught are around the 12 inch range. Creeks are still running quickly.
Steamboat Lake

Delaney Buttes

As of 7/31/2019, fishing continues to be very good. North Delaney has been producing some solid fish and the best fishing has been during the low light, cooler periods of the day. South and East Delaney are fishing the best for numbers of fish and consistent action. Rapalas in brown trout and rainbow trout colors have been doing well at these lakes along with a variety of different flies.
Delaney Buttes

Rifle Gap Reservoir

As of 7/30/2019, fishing has been the best during the cooler parts of the day such as early morning or late into the evening. Walleye and Perch have been the most commonly caught species. Nightcrawlers are catching fish as well as jigs with artificial swimbaits Reminder that Walleye have special restrictions, only 1 fish may be kept and must be a minimum of 18 inches in length.
Rifle Gap Reservoir

Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado

Blue Mesa Reservoir 

As of 8/1/2019, water levels are finally stable and the fishing is improving. Water levels are high which is allowing the fish to spread out over a larger area meaning anglers must cover water to be successful. Water temperatures are in the high 60’s. Anglers trolling with lead core are having the best success fishing shallow early in the day and deeper during the middle part of the day. Anglers targeting lake trout are having some limited success catching smaller fish in the 60 to 100 foot range. For more information, contact Curecanti National Recreation Area at 970-641-2337.
Blue Mesa Reservoir 

Taylor River - Below Taylor Park Reservoir

As of 8/2/2019, flows continue to drop as runoff into the reservoir has subsided. Flows are near an optimal level for fishing this fantastic tailwater section. Small flies and light tippet are the name of the game, midges and mysis shrimp patterns have been fishing well. This section does get a lot of fishing pressure so the fish are well educated and must be worked for. Flows: 403 CFS (8/2/2019)
Taylor River

Gunnison River - near Gunnison

As of 8/2/2019, flows continued to decrease this week, and are nearing some optimal levels. The water is also clearing quickly with the decreased flows. Anglers floating the river have had success catching browns and rainbows on a variety of flies both nymphs and dries. Anglers fishing with spinning gear are having luck on spinners, spoons, and jerk baits. Flows: 1200 CFS (8/2/2019) 
Gunnison River

Navajo Lake State Park

As of 8/1/2019, fishing at Navajo has been good. The current lake level is 6073.39. The water temperature at the boat ramp in Arboles is approximately 70 degrees. Fishing for smallmouth bass and pike has been good. The best fishing has been in the shallow coves as the lake rises. The best lures are crankbaits and large lures resembling bait fish for pike. Some crappie are still being caught along structures.
Navajo Lake State Park

Crawford Reservoir

As of 7/29/2019, we have had many anglers, both shore fishing and fishing from boats. They have reported catching pike and largemouth bass, as well as perch and crappie. 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

McPhee Reservoir

As of 7/24/2019, anglers are reporting that fishing has been picking up for Kokanee Salmon. Trolling traditional kokanee rigs still seems to be the most productive technique. Anglers are having the most success trolling with small squids and spinners in pink, orange, and chartreuse. Smallmouth bass fishing has also been good especially during the cooler parts of the day. Anglers targeting smallmouth during lower light periods such as dawn and dusk have had the most success on topwater baits or spinnerbaits fished close to the surface.
McPhee Reservoir

Ridgway State Park

As of 7/31/2019, fishing for trout is good most productive lures of choice are worms, artificial salmon eggs, spinners, and Rapala’s. Smallmouth are also biting in shallow rocky areas such as along Mears Bay. Small spinners, little minnow imitations, and small aquatic fly imitations are good starting points. Fishing at the fishing ponds at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk has slowed down with a variety of presentations working sporadically. Flows in the Pa-Co-Chu-Puk River are still high but anglers are having some success using bigger “bugs” such as leech imitations, San Juan Worms, or Chubby Chernobyl Ant dries.
Ridgway State Park

Vega Reservoir

As of 7/29/2019, fishing is good with anglers reporting catching rainbows and cutthroats in the 12 to 16 inch range. The lake is full and turning. All three boat ramps are open. All boats must be inspected prior to launching. The ANS inspection station and entrance gate open at 7:00am and close at 8:30pm daily. If you have a valid pre-inspection receipt and seal then you may launch prior to 7:00am. 
Vega Reservoir