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Regions: Denver Metro ... Southeast ... Southwest ... Northeast ... Northwest
Arvada Reservoir -- Fishing has varied with the weather. An 8-pound smallmouth bass was caught and weighed last week. Trout, lots of perch, walleyes and smaller bass also are being caught. Green and orange PowerBait has been very popular. The lake has some very large catfish. They are good bragging fish and a lot of fun to catch. Call 303-420-7773 to check on boating conditions because of the high winds. Aquatic bait is not allowed; this includes salamanders, leeches, crayfish, frogs and minnows. Worms are the only permitted live bait. Check out the fish board when you're here.
Aurora Reservoir -- All vessels must be inspected prior to launch. A watercraft access permit is required for all vehicles bringing in watercraft. Current water temp is 68 degrees. Trout fishing is slow to fair using PowerBait with a slip rig from the dam. Trout now are in deeper water, so fish deep early in the morning and late in the evening. Boaters are doing well for trout by trolling with crawlers, spoons and Rapalas. Walleye fishing is fair to good using bottom bouncers with crawlers and jigs tipped with crawlers. Perch action is fair to good on jigs tipped with worms. All other species slow or no reports. The limit for trout is two fish. Boating is restricted to electric motors. For more information, call 303-690-1286. Park hours for July are 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.
Barr Lake -- Trout fishing is great from boats and shore with spoons and PowerBait. Walleyes are picking up from boats at a 10-foot depth with bottom bouncers. Wipers picking up on Rat.L.Traps. Carp are ending their spawn. The water temp is approximately 71 degrees. No fishing is allowed in the wildlife refuge or from the Barr Lake dam. Contact the ranger office for current conditions at 303-655-1495 or check the park web site.
Chatfield Ponds -- The Chatfield Ponds are open for non-motorized boating. Perch and smallmouth bass from 6 to 9 inches can be caught on Power Bait and night crawlers. Remember to always have a state park pass and park only in designated areas. To prevent the spread of Aquatic Nuisance Species, always clean, drain, and dry all vessels and fishing equipment between water bodies.
Chatfield Reservoir -- The level is high, the surface temperature is about 68 degrees and clarity has improved. Smallmouth bass are doing very well on tubes and spinners. Walleyes are doing well on jerk baits at night.
Cherry Creek Reservoir -- The lake is full, the temperature is 70 degrees and the water is slightly stained. Wipers are doing well on jerk baits. Fishing for walleyes has been very good at night. Boat inspections are conducted daily from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at the east boat ramp. Make sure you have a parks pass for your vehicle and a valid fishing license.
Clear Creek -- Runoff has finally peaked and we're getting the daily decreases in water volume that we've been hoping for. Nevertheless, overall flows remain high and water clarity is low, so fishing is poor and wading is difficult. The flows on Monday were 954 cfs at Lawson and 979 cfs at Golden, both of which are about three times the long-term average for the date. Another week or two, and we should start to see fishable water.
Gross Reservoir -- Fishing for 10- to 12-inch rainbows remains fair on pink or chartreuse Power Eggs and similar baits. A few 12- to 14-inch browns have been caught near the inlet on night crawlers. The hike to the inlet is a bit more difficult with the relatively high water level; trails to the inlet may be submerged, making access more challenging. Tiger muskies still are elusive, but action is expected to pick up as the water warms. The reservoir is open to boating through Sept. 30. Only hand-carried, hand-powered watercraft are permitted. A wearable floatation device (PFD) and whistle or air horn are required. Your name, address and phone number must be written inside the craft. Fishing is prohibited between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m., or as posted at the main entrance
Quincy Reservoir -- Quincy is open to boating. Water temp is 70 degrees. All watercraft must be inspected before launching. All vehicles bringing in watercraft required to have a watercraft access pass. Bass fishing is fair to good using spinner baits, Rat.L.Traps and soft plastics. Perch fishing is fair, mainly by jigging and drop shots. Trout fishing has been slow to fair using midge and Hare's Ears flies early morning and evening. Quincy is restricted to fishing with artificial flies and lures only. The limit for trout is two fish. Bass must be 18 inches or longer to possess. All boats must be hand-launched. Only electric motors are permitted. All boats, including float tubes, must check in with the ranger on duty. Park hours for July are 5:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more info, call 303-693-5463.
South Platte River (Waterton Canyon) -- Denver Water is dredging Strontia Springs Reservoir to remove massive amounts of Hayman Fire sediment. As a result, Waterton Canyon will be closed until Dec. 31, 2011. Neither the parking lot at the canyon's entrance nor the canyon will be accessible during the closure. Access to The Colorado Trail from Waterton Canyon also will be closed during this time. For more information, log on to www.ColoradoTrail.org
Standley Lake -- Standley Lake is open for the 2011 boating and camping season. The current lake temperature is approximately 71 degrees. Fishing times are 6:30 a.m. to sunset and will be strictly enforced. Aquatic bait is no longer allowed at Standley Lake; this includes salamanders, leeches, crayfish, frogs and minnows. Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) regulations are in effect. All boats are required to be inspected, sprayed and quarantined before entering Standley Lake. Call for more details. A $7 fee is charged for all drive-in traffic. Drive-in access is available from 6:30 a.m. to sunset. For more information, contact the Standley Lake Nature Center at (303) 425-1097.
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