COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE FISHING REPORT For the ...

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pike’s razor-like teeth. Fly-rod fishermen usually do best with large streamer flies such as Bunnies, Clouser Minnows, Zonkers, Woolly Buggers and Lefty’s Deceivers. Surface poppers or large hopper patterns also can be of interest to the pike. Many fishermen especially enjoy sight fishing for northerns. With a good pair of polarized sun glasses, pike may be evident in shallow water, either cruising or lurking near the weed patches. Either way, they’re likely to be skittish, but when the presentation is proper the fight is on. The water may boil with the characteristic surface roll of a pike, followed by a series of powerful, long runs. Hungry pike have a dedicated following among fishermen, but they are a challenge to fisheries managers. Predatory northerns can take a heavy toll on other game fish including trout, and they have become established in waters where they are considered out of place. To protect such fisheries, no daily bag or possession limits apply to pike anywhere in Colorado. Anglers are encouraged to keep all the pike they catch, and whether filleted, baked whole or cut into steaks and grilled, northern offer some very good table fare. Pike have a row of Y-shaped bones just above the rib line. It can be removed with a fillet knife before cooking, or the bones can be picked out afterward. The prime time for pike fishing is just beginning and anglers have many options. Elevenmile and Spinney Mountain reservoirs are good choices for Front Range fishermen. Tarryall and Skaguay reservoirs also are possibilities. The northwest quadrant has Stagecoach, Williams Fork rand Rifle Gap reservoirs, among others. In the southwest, Vallecito and Taylor reservoirs might be the best bets for large pike, and northerns also are found in Crawford and Navajo reservoirs. Sanchez Reservoir in the San Luis Valley is another favorite. Northerns will remain active through the summer and well into the fall, but some of the best gator hunting of the year begins in June. RUNOFF ROLLS ON: Patience may or may not be a virtue, but Colorado stream fishermen have little choice. Virtually all major streams and many tributaries remain high and discolored with runoff from an unusually heavy snowpack. Northern drainages have been affected most; southern streams such as the Rio Grande and San Juan probably will be the earliest to drop and clear. In the meantime, the South Platte River tailwaters offer the best conditions for stream fishing. ANTERO BOAT RAMP CUTBACK: With the water level of Antero Reservoir being drawn down, the south boat ramp is open only four days a week, Friday through Monday. It is usable only by small trailered boats, canoes, belly boats and other small craft. The north ramp remains open to all boats seven days a week, but boaters should be aware of shallow areas when launching. All boats must be inspected for aquatic nuisance species before entering the water. Boating hours are ½ hour
efore sunrise to ½ hour after sunset. All boats must be removed from the water at night. The drawdown is a safety precaution by Denver Water to reduce water pressure and seepage within the dam. Denver Water is conducting studies to help determine what other actions, if any, need to be taken to address the seepage issues. The duration of the study depends on what the agency learns from the initial information. NO WATER FOR SAN LUIS LAKE: The lake in San Luis State Park will not fill with water this spring because of low snowpack in the Sangre de Cristo mountain range. Available runoff will be directed to Head Lake and the extensive wetlands in the adjoining San Luis Lakes State Wildlife Area immediately to the north. The campground in the state park will be open this summer, and some shoreline fishing will be possible early in the season. Boating and water skiing will not be available. The decision not to fill the lake was made jointly by U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Rio Grande Water Conservation District, Colorado Division of Water Resources, Colorado State Parks and the Colorado Division of Wildlife. If next winter’s snowfall is average, water will be restored to the lake. BE BEAR AWARE: Fishermen and campers are reminded that many of their favorite waters are in bear country. Take simple precautions such as not leaving food out where bears can find it and keep a clean camping site to avoid bear problems. The Colorado Division of Wildlife offers brochures and other information for reducing the risk of bear encounters. They are available at DOW offices statewide. Read about camping in bear country, and see additional information about coexisting with bears. FISHING FOR DOLLARS: If anglers needed some extra incentive to get out and fish, the Cabela’s “Wanna Go Fishing For Millions” contest might be just the thing. Colorado’s Pueblo and Blue Mesa reservoirs are among the 67 waters in 19 states that offer anglers the chance to win cash prizes by catching specially tagged fish. Legally taken tagged fish are eligible for contest prizes and anglers can earn additional prizes and bonus cash by using certain brands of equipment and wearing certain clothing when the fish are caught. For complete contest details see Cabela's "Wanna Go Fishing for Millions?" The contest runs through July 14. A total of 10 walleyes, rainbow trout and largemouth bass were tagged for the contest at Pueblo Reservoir. A total of 15 rainbow and brown trout were tagged at Blue Mesa. Cabela’s requested and received permission from the Colorado Division of Wildlife to conduct the tagged-fish contests, as required by Colorado Wildlife Commission regulations. Fishing Forecast As a service to anglers, Division of Wildlife biologists in the Southeast and Southwest Regions
Page 1: COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE FISHI
Page 5 and 6: Barr Lake -‐-‐ Trout fishin
Page 7 and 8: Pinewood Reservoir -‐-‐ Rec
Page 9 and 10: Highline Lake -‐-‐ Lots of
Page 11 and 12: this time. One can do well late in
Page 13 and 14: een stocked with trout. Boaters are
Page 15 and 16: mackinaw, rainbows and cutthroats.
Page 17 and 18: Sanchez Reservoir -‐-‐ Due
Page 19: Buckeye Reservoir NW of Paradox Col

COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE FISHING REPORT For the ...

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