Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

Fishing report - Southwest

Details

Created on Wednesday, 13 October 2010 15:34

Written by Nathan

Animas River -- Good for smaller rainbows. Brown trout are spawning this time of year and the river is running low and clear. Recent fish surveys done by the Division of Wildlife show the highest population of trout in the Gold Medal reach downstream of the Lightner Creek confluence.

Beaver Creek Reservoir -- The Colorado Division of Wildlife will be raising the level of the water at Beaver Creek Reservoir to approximately 20' below the spillway. The water level will be maintained at this level so that state engineers can inspect the dam and related structures. The water may need to be maintained at that level for the entire summer. The water level has dropped below the concrete boat ramp. However, fishing continues at the reservoir and the fish will likely become more concentrated with less water in the reservoir. Several reports indicate anglers are having good success and catching their limits. Anglers are advised to be cautious on the steep-sided slopes.

Blue Mesa Reservoir -- Water temps are now in the low 60's and dropping 1 or 2 deg. per day. Look for brown trout and lake trout to begin cruising the shorelines in search of spawning grounds and feed. 2 and 3 year old salmon are being caught near the dam with pink and green spinners and spoons from 15 to 30 feet deep. Boat ramps are now open 7am to 7pm. Iola boat ramp is closed for the season.

Crawford Reservoir -- Trout were biting consistently this past weekend. Crappie have slowed. A few pike, and several bass (too small to keep) have also been caught. Small perch have been hit and miss.

Dolores River (lower) -- The river below McPhee Reservoir is running 50 cfs. Large brown trout and some very nice rainbows were captured during recent CDOW fish collections.

Echo Canyon Reservoir -- Fishing for trout has been fair. Fishing for warmwater sportfish (bass and sunfish) is dropping off with the cooler water temperatures. Be prepared for very "weedy" conditions.

Groundhog Reservoir -- Good for 10-16 inch rainbow trout and cutthroats. This is a great time to fish Groundhog with the aspens turning a golden color around the lake. A 26 inch 7 lb rainbow was taken last week on a nightcrawler.

Gunnison River (through the canyon) -- The flow in the Gunnison Gorge is 604 cfs. The river is clear and fishing recently has been good. Fishermen have been using Black Sculp Zilla's, Rag Sculpins, Hopper Droppers, Green hoppers 10-12's. Red San Juan Worms, Red Copper Johns size 16, PMDs and caddis. Killer May flies are hot and also Autumn Splendor Streamers are good right now. The North Fork is low enough to wade. Call Gunnison River Pleasure Park at 1-888-782-7542 for other information.

Haviland Lake -- Fishing is slower than this summer but the remaining stocked fish have grown to 12-14 inches. Now is a great time to hit Haviland as the water temperatures cool and fish are still active.

Jackson Gulch Reservoir -- Fishing has been excellent for 10-12 inch rainbow trout and yellow perch (no limit). The lake level is down but cooler temperatures have kept the fish active. Trollers have been using Panther Martins and small Rapalas. Bank anglers have had success with rainbow Power Bait. Yellow perch love those worms. Fly fishermen are successfully using various dry flies such as the "irresistible". Be sure to bring plenty of bait as there is no place nearby to purchase it. Jackson Gulch requires an ANS inspection before launching boats. Please call 970-533-7065 or 970-882-2213 to arrange an inspection. The boat ramp will close Oct. 16 for the season. A daily pass is required for day use of the park. For more information: www.parks.state.co.us or call 970-533-7065.

Joe Moore Reservoir -- Joe Moore has a mix of rainbow trout, yellow perch, black crappie, and largemouth bass. Joe Moore is very weedy this time of year.

Lemon Reservoir -- No Reports. However, large brown trout will be seeking flowing water for spawning this time of year.

McPhee Reservoir -- The trout fishing has been good at McPhee Reservoir. Some smallmouth and walleye are being taken by anglers.

Narraguinnep Reservoir -- The boat ramp is currently closed to trailered watercraft to prevent the spread of invasive aquatic species. The reservoir is open to all other uses including fishing, hunting, and bird watching. Hand launched boats are allowed (float tubes, kayaks, etc.). The reservoir is low.

Navajo Reservoir -- The water temp is 67 degrees. The water is clearing after much needed rainfall and the fishing seems to be improving. Crappie are still slow on jigs and grubs. Bass have been fair on deep diving crankbaits and pike are good on spoons and large swimbaits. Catfish have been slow.

Pastorius Reservoir -- Fair for rainbow trout on Powerbait. Reservoir is shallow and weedy but what trout are left should be of quality size (14 inches).

Piedra River -- The Piedra River has a good population of brown and rainbow trout on the upper end (Piedra Canyon). Fall can be a great time to seek brown and brook trout spawning in the shallows.

Ridgway Fishing Ponds -- The Pa-Co-Chu-Puk ponds of Ridgway State Park are excellent for children because they are the only water below the dam not restricted to artificial flies and lures or catch-and-release fishing. A limit of four trout per person may be kept there, by children and licensed adults, 16 years and older. The ponds were stocked again (13 September 2010). Fishing continues to be good. Try worms, grasshoppers and red salmon eggs. Fly fishermen could try a Black Woolly Bugger or gold ribbed hare's ear size #14. Good luck!

Ridgway Reservoir -- The lake is falling and is now at about 20' below spilling. Fishing is good. 1,450 additional catchable-sized Rainbow Trout were stocked the week of August 10th. This totals more than 40,000 this season. Bank anglers have been doing well using the standards: night crawlers, green power bait, red salmon eggs and silver or gold Kastmasters. Olive and Black Woolley Buggers with spinning rod and bubble are working too. The Brown trout are out of the Mear's Bay area and deep in the main reservoir. Try early in the mornings or late evenings, trolling slowly along the shoreline - in the shade - for a chance at a large Brown Trout. Remember to have your boat clean, drained and dry when you come in to have it inspected before launching. Good luck fishing!

Rio Grande River -- Water flows have prevented most float trips on the river, however fishing from public waters has been fair to good.

Sanchez Reservoir -- The boat ramp will be closed from 8pm to 6am daily with aquatic nuisance species boat inspections taking place when the ramp is open. The boat ramp will be closed daily starting October 1st.

Taylor Reservoir -- The lake trout are at 100 feet plus. Trolling with lures has been effective for the smaller ones. Fishing off the bottom, anchored, with worms has been working too. Trolling an apex lure tipped with a worm has also been working. Rainbow trout are really on a strong bite even with the full moon! Trolling with cowbells and nightcrawlers, or an Assassin Spinner along with cowbells have been doing very well. A few Salmon have been caught while trolling for lakers. They are stacked up in about 50 ft. of water. Not much happening with Pike right now.

Uncompahgre River in Ridgway Park -- Water temperature on the river at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is running at about 56 degrees. The water is slightly off color with the afternoon rains. Fishing is good. Dry flies are working in the evenings. I saw several fishermen picking up Rainbow and Cutthroat Trout over the last few evenings. Flows are around 250 cfs; Grasshoppers are out! Try a "Parachute Hopper" or a "Ginger Quill". Good luck.

Vallecito Reservoir -- Fishing for 10-14 inch trout should be very good due to recent fish stocking. A number of large northern pike have also been taken by anglers over the last several weeks.

Williams Creek -- No Reports. Brook and brown trout are spawning this time of year so it is a good time to look for larger fish in the shallows.

Williams Creek Reservoir -- Fall is a beautiful time to fish Williams Creek Reservoir. Look for larger brook trout moving around the shallows and inlets to spawn this time of year.