Conditions Report - Metro Denver Area

Aurora Reservoir

Park Rangers report as of 9/10/2021, trout fishing from shore is currently hit or miss. Some trout are being caught off the dam using PowerBait casting out 40-50 yards using a slip rig. Boaters are having fair to good success trolling with crawlers and spoons for trout. Also anchoring in 30-45’ of water and dropping down crawlers and power bait has been working well for some boaters. Walleye action is slow with a few reports of some fish being caught trolling with bottom bouncers and crawlers. All other species are slow or no reports. For more information call 303-326-8425. Park Hours for September 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Aurora Reservoir

Chatfield Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, there have been a lot of reports of success catching walleye on a variety of lures. Trout fishing is currently fair. For more information, contact park staff by calling 303-791-7275.  
Chatfield Reservoir

Cherry Creek Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports anglers having increased success catching walleye, crappie, trout and bluegill. Common baits being used are mealworms, wax worms, Gulp worms, and nightcrawlers on Rapala raps, buck-shot flutter spoons, blade baits, and others. No other reports on any other species at this time. For more information please call (303) 690-1166.
Cherry Creek Reservoir

Standley Lake

Please call ahead prior to heading to the reservoir to get up-to-date lake and shoreline fishing conditions. Contact park staff at 303-425-1097. 
Standley Lake

Quincy Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, bass fishing has been slow. A few reports of some bass caught early morning and evenings. All other species slow or no report. Shoreline in some areas is difficult to fish due to aquatic vegetation. Try the dam with jigs and soft plastics. Restricted to artificial flies and lures only. Only watercraft capable of being launched by hand permitted. Trailers and vehicles are not permitted in the water. Park hours for September 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. For more information call 303-326-8424.  
Quincy Reservoir

Conditions Report - Northeast Colorado

Eleven Mile Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, The 11 Mile Marina reports “Trout fishing is fair to good. The bite can be hit and miss but there sure are a lot of very nice fish being caught in the 18” to 24” class. A variety of baits are working depending on how you like to fish. Pop Gear crowd doing very well with Arnies Pop Gear or Green Rainbow by Lure Jensen. Tube jigs are coming on. Kastmasters, Tas Devils and Krocodiles are also hot. The West End gets a lot of attention but we are catching fish all over the lake. Sometimes the North Shore Marina kicks out fish as good as anywhere. Don’t overlook the East End for bigger fish. Less pressure bigger fish. Shore anglers doing well at sundown and at night. Kokanee fishing is poor. No good news to report other than one here one there. The story of this past Summer? We are still working the sling blades and dodgers with a variety of offerings. You will catch Trout in the process. Northern pike fishing is good to very good. A lot of nice fish in the 28” to 33” range being caught. We have had action all around the lake. Bill’s Spinner Baits, White or Chartreuse tubes, Rapala and spoons are all seeing decent action. Bite times have been spread throughout the day with mid-morning and late afternoon showing off. Bigger fish are showing their face and even taking swipes now. Opportunities are increasing for a trophy fish. Crawfishing is excellent. It’s prime time of the Season if you like crawfish. We sell some awesome traps that will fill up and make you happy with a big boil of deliciousness. The peak season is now through early September. Stop in we will show you how we do it.” https://www.11milesports.com/fishing-report
Eleven Mile Reservoir

Boyd Lake

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports Boyd Lake is at 73% capacity and water temperature is 74 degrees. The lake is OPEN to boating. Anglers continue to report success catching walleye and white bass using a variety of spoons, spinners, jerkbaits, and crank-baits. There is no fishing permitted from marina slips or docks. 
Boyd Lake

North Sterling Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports fishing for walleye and crappie is fair, drum and wiper are okay and fishing for catfish is currently good. The reservoir is OPEN to boating. The Inlet is OFF and the Outlet is ON. Contact the park for the latest ice conditions at 970-522-3657.
North Sterling Reservoir

St. Vrain State Park

As of 9/10/2021, pike and walleye/saugeye will also chase larger swimbaits and spoons, but we recommend suspending only a few feet down, as most ponds with Pike are very shallow at St. Vrain. Pike and Walleye will also chase streamers and poppers, but will usually require some form of a leader to prevent breaking free. 
St. Vrain State Park

Barr Lake

As of 8/27/2021 park staff reports good wiper action. For the most current conditions, please contact park staff by calling 303-659-6005.
Barr Lake

Cheesman Canyon

As of 9/10/2021, Cheesman Canyon continues to fish very well. Be careful on your approach to the water to not scare away any potential targets. Flows: 153 CFS above Cheesman Lake (9/9/2021) 
Cheesman Canyon

Douglas Reservoir

As of 7/30/2021, anglers are reporting more success when fishing early mornings or into the evening. 
Douglas Reservoir

Antero Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, the reservoir is fishing best in the mornings and evenings. There are plenty of food sources available and anglers have even reported success catching musky.  
Antero Reservoir

Dream Stream - South Platte

As of 9/10/2021, look for holding pockets and focus on deeper sections of water. Surface feeding has become more consistent with the current invertebrate activity. Flows: 159 CFS above Eleven Mile Canyon (9/9/2021) 
South Platte

Horsetooth Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success trolling for walleye and smallmouth bass using soft plastics. 
Horsetooth Reservoir

Spinney Mountain Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports fishing for northern pike continues to be excellent! Trout fishing continues to produce very well. Scuds and leeches have worked well for nymphing and woolly buggers have been the go-to for streamers.  
Spinney Mountain Reservoir

Arvada Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, anglers reported success catching trout in the mornings and bass in the evenings. Bass fishing is good and catfishing is fair to good. 
Arvada Reservoir

Bear Creek Lake

As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success catching walleye with a variety of lures. Trout fishing has improved to fair in the mornings and evenings. 
Bear Creek Lake

Evergreen Lake

As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success catching rainbow trout with PowerBait and worms.  
Evergreen Lake

Lon Hagler Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, no new catfish reports, but anglers continue to catch bass regularly. 
Lon Hagler Reservoir

Waterton Canyon

As of 9/10/2021, there are good hatches of caddis as well as blue-winged olive and midges. With low flows, you are going to want to focus on pools and slow riffles and be ready for aggressively feeding fish. Anglers have also reported success nymphing while others have tried dry droppers. Flows: 70 CFS at Waterton (9/9/2021) 
Waterton Canyon

Conditions Report - Southeast Colorado

Arkansas River - Leadville to Buena Vista

“The upper Arkansas is in great shape and with a much cooler forecast in the next couple of weeks our northern fish will have a very comfortable environment as we head into the fall. Hayden Meadows is still the most wadeable section of the Arkansas, though now that the Voluntary Flow Management Program has ended more of the river below the Lake Creek confluence will offer easier wading access. The low, clear flows in Hayden Meadows can make for more technical fishing and spookier fish, so be very thoughtful in your approach. This area is seeing a fair amount of pressure, so be very courteous to fellow anglers and try to give your neighbors plenty of their own room to fish. Be prepared primarily for caddis, grasshoppers, and golden stoneflies above Buena Vista. That said, guides saw our first fall hatches of blue-winged olives last week so we may see more fish eating small baetis patterns in the next few weeks. Guides and DIY anglers are reporting very good dry and dry-dropper fishing this week, but nymphing through the deeper pools and pockets will also be effective. Streamers can also be a great way to probe some of the deeper pockets north of Buena Vista.” Flows: 85 CFS at Hayden Meadows, 119 CFS at Granite (9/9/2021) http://www.arkanglers.com/ 
Arkansas River - Leadville to Buena Vista

Lake Trinidad

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports the lake is at 838 surface acres with a surface elevation of 6193.01, and the water level is decreasing. Boaters have had luck trolling rapalas and worm harnesses. Surface water temperature is around 72-74 degrees. Perch and walleye are abundant. South shore has produced good-sized trout very regularly using PowerBait and doughballs. Reilly canyon road remains closed to vehicles, however, foot access is allowed. Anglers have reported good-size catfish, perch, and trout closer to the inlet. The river is shallow and running slowly. Call the park for the most up-to-date conditions at 719-846-6951.  
Lake Trinidad

Arkansas River - Buena Vista to Salida

As of 9/10/2021, Braden Baker with Ark Anglers writes, “The Voluntary Flow Management Program has ended and the river has dropped back down to native flows. This adjustment has brought the river back into the ideal flow range for our local trout (240-400 CFS at the Wellsville gauge) and they will be able to maximize their use of the river to their benefit. We will still have enough water to float fish the Arkansas but this adjustment is definitely welcome news to wade anglers who will have more flexibility on wadeable water the rest of the summer. Our current forecast shows a comfortable drop in temperature with daytime highs down in the 70s which will mean a cooler river and broader window of quality daytime fishing hours. This cooldown paired with the recent drop in flows will provide a very comfortable environment for our resident trout heading into fall. We have a little extra water in the river this morning which makes for a slightly easier float fishing environment dow near Salida, and the river has been fishing incredibly well so far this week. Clarity is excellent in the middle basin and flows have receded now that we are back to sunny, dry weather. With flows dropping to native levels, expect fish to be able to occupy more of the river rather than just the edges like they do during high summer flows. Fresh golden stonefly shucks are on the rocks above the water most mornings, and the presence of these insects alongside grasshoppers has given us some fun action on larger attractor dry flies. Anglers spotted our first late-season hatches of blue-winged olives last week below Buena Vista, so small baetis nymphs, emergers and dry flies should be in your arsenal. Caddis and red quills make up medium-sized food items, with sporadic midge and trico hatches taking the microscopic award. Dry dropper and shallow nymphing tactics are generally the most productive, but streamer fishing has been very effective lately, as well. At times fish are incredibly surface-oriented, yielding windows of great dry and double-dry fly fishing. The next few weeks should provide some excellent late summer opportunities. On the warmest days expect the action to generally be best in the morning and evening, with a potential lull mid-afternoon during the heat of the day. It all depends on the water in front of you. Fish will be looking for oxygen, so if you can find aerated water you'll find trout. Following a low water spring and an underwhelming runoff, fish are healthy and have fared well through the high water.” Flows: 278 CFS at Hecla Junction (9/9/2021) http://www.arkanglers.com/ 
Arkansas River - Buena Vista to Salida

John Martin Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, WEST BOAT RAMP is closed due to low water levels. EAST BOAT RAMP remains open and available to launch vessels. The East Boat Ramp was designed as a low-water boat ramp. Larger vessels with deep hulls, or a trailer that sits high above the ground, will find it difficult to impossible to launch. Most vehicles will have to be partially submerged to launch boats from trailers. 
John Martin Reservoir

Lake Pueblo

As of 9/10/2021, walleye fishing has picked up and anglers are reporting success on a variety of lures. Anglers have also reported success catching bass and perch.  
Lake Pueblo

Hugo SWA Ponds

As of 9/10/2021, no new species reports for this body of water.  
Hugo SWA Ponds

Kissel Pond

As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported good catfishing in the later parts of the day. 
Kissel Pond

Blue Lake

As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success catching catfish, walleye, and carp. 
Blue Lake

Rosemont Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, fishing early mornings and evenings can prove to be beneficial for both the angler and fish.
Rosemont Reservoir

Conditions Report - Northwest Colorado

Vega Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, all boat ramps are closed for the season. Anglers on shore are reporting catching some nice trout in 16 - 20 inch range using silver spinners, worms and PowerBait. Lake levels are below normal.  
Vega Reservoir

Harvey Gap

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports pike, smallmouth bass and perch are being caught. 
Harvey Gap

Rifle Gap

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports “walleye, northern pike, perch and smallmouth bass fishing is good.” 
Rifle Gap

Yampa River

Due to critically low water flows caused by dry conditions and minimal snowpack levels, Colorado Parks and Wildlife has implemented a mandatory fishing closure on a 0.6-mile stretch of the Yampa River between the dam at Stagecoach State Park downstream to the lowermost park boundary. The closure began on May 25 and will continue until further notice. 
Yampa River

Blue River

As of 9/10/2021, anglers have reported success with caddis imitations and flows are allowing for dry flies. Flows: 453 CFS below Green Mountain Reservoir (9/9/2021) 
Blue River

Eagle River

As of 9/10/2021, nymphing is proving to be very successful even with the increase in surface activity. Flows: 130 CFS below Gypsum (9/9/2021) 
Eagle River

Green Mountain Reservoir

As of 7/30/2021, reports indicate reservoir levels are still low, especially for this time of year. No new fishing reports and those received stated very slow and tough fishing. 
Green Mountain Reservoir

Lake John

As of 9/10/2021, reports indicate that sizeable trout continue to be landed regularly at the lake.
Lake John

Grand Lake

As of 9/10/2021, Fishing with Bernie Guide Dan Shannon reports, “Ramp hours are 6 a.m – 6 p.m. Water temps continue to cool and less traffic on the water has helped the bite. Fishing has been fair to good for all species. Rainbow trout and Brown trout bites have been good, fish along shorelines and docks with erratic retrieve of spoon or crankbait, color does not matter but make sure to pay attention on the pause of the lure. Lake trout are being caught in 50-70’ of water, look for them with your electronics then fish on the bottom with small jigs and plastics tipped with sucker, glow colors have been best producers.” https://www.fishingwithbernie.com
Grand Lake

Lake Granby

As of 9/10/2021, Fishing with Bernie Guide, Dan Shannon reports, “Ramp hours are 6 a.m. – 6 p.m. Cooling water means the bite is picking up! Lake trout have moved to pre-spawn locations in 50-70’ of water. Small minnow imitations on a jig head tipped with a small piece of sucker has been go-to lure, chartreuse or orange colors. Rainbow trout and Brown trout are active and moving shallower, target these fish by trolling spoons and cranks in 12’ of water along shorelines or casting crankbaits and tubes along rocks and transition areas. Great time of the year to be on the water, the elk are talking along the shore of RMNP and fishing is getting better by the day!” https://www.fishingwithbernie.com/
Lake Granby

Williams Fork Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, Fishing with Bernie Guide, Randy H reports, “The new ramp hours are 7 AM to 7 PM. Water capacity is 75%. Inflow is 31 CFS, outflow is 275 CFS. The lake is 17 feet low. Surface temp is 63 early AM warming to mid 60's. This will be my final fishing report for the season. The boat ramp will be closed by September 12th or sooner due to the low water level. The Lake Trout bite is slow to fair the first half of the day. The fish are up and moving around in the AM but by noon most of them are belly down on the bottom. Look for them in 70 to 100 feet of water. Tubes or small grubs tipped with sucker meat worked slowly on the bottom is working best. Keep your bait moving or a crawdad will get it. Northern Pike are slow but catchable if you're very persistent. Early AM and late PM is the best time to fish. Crankbaits, jerk baits or swimbaits fished with an erratic slow to medium retrieve may get hit. Shore fishing for Rainbows is slow due to low population, but as the water continues to cool large resident Rainbows will be feeding along the shoreline. Kokanee trolling is very slow as CPW has not stocked the lake since 2019 in an effort to rid the Kokes of gill lice” https://www.fishingwithbernie.com/
Williams Fork Reservoir

Mack Mesa Reservoir

Mack Mesa Reservoir is refilled and has been restocked with bluegill to start developing a forage base for the largemouth bass and other species to be stocked later this summer. Those warm water species include largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, and channel catfish. CPW also plans to stock trout in time for the fall and ice fishing seasons.
Mack Mesa Reservoir

Conditions Report - Southwest Colorado

Blue Mesa Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021, the reservoir continues to produce kokes and lake trout on a variety of lures. 
Blue Mesa Reservoir

James M. Robb Colorado River

As of 9/10/2021, park staff reports, “Look for fishing to pick up as temperatures begin to be cooler in the evenings. Trout will be deeper. Bluegill and Sunfish will be more productive. Please ensure the responsible and ethical release of fish and properly dispose of fishing line. Remember, the daily limit for trout is four fish per person.”  
James M. Robb Colorado River

San Juan River

As of 9/10/2021 Duranglers report, “Solitude on the river in town Pagosa is limited to the first and last hours of the day. Expect lots of tubers and swimmers. Midday will be the busiest on the river. Hopper/droppers are your friend right now but watch for hatcthes of BWO. Streamers too!” Flows: 30.3 CFS at Pagosa Springs (9/9/2021) https://duranglers.com/
San Juan River

Animas River at Durango

As of 9/10/2021, Duranglers reports, “Keep an eye on those temps throughout warmer sunny days. Hopper/dropper rigs are a good go-to, but streamer fishing is starting to pick up. BWO hatches are starting, and afternoon dry fly fishing can be great. Small caddis are also hatching in the mornings and evenings. Won’t hurt to try out a streamer either.” Flows: 186 CFS at Durango (9/9/2021) Duranglers.com 
Animas River

Dolores River - above McPhee Reservoir

As of 9/10/2021 Duranglers reports, “The upper Dolores drainage is fishing solid. Dry droppers into the fall Caddis and small mayflies can be around. Terrestrials such as hoppers, ants, and beetles will be out as well.” Flows: 36.6 at Dolores (9/9/2021) https://duranglers.com/
Dolores River

Gunnison River

As of 9/10/2021 Duranglers reports, “If you want to catch more fish, put on the nymph rig and fish deep with weight. Fish a dry/dropper for the best of both worlds. Some discoloration of the water means use some bigger bugs.” Flows: 601 CFS below Gunnison Tunnel (9/9/2021) Duranglers.com
Gunnison River

San Miguel River

As of 9/10/2021, Duranglers reports, “Flows are pretty solid right now for this high country river. Don’t overthink it too much: dry/droppers on your favorite 4 weight and have fun! Hoppers and caddis should be out” Flows: 78.7 CFS near Placerville (9/9/2021) Duranglers.com 
San Miguel River

Uncompahgre River

As of 9/10/2021, Duranglers reports, “Nymphing smaller bugs is not a bad idea, but try a leech or SJ worm too. Watch for PMDs in the afternoons! Or, put on a streamer or bugger!” Flows: 176 CFS below Ridgway Reservoir (9/9/2021) Duranglers.com
Uncompahgre River