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Fishing report - Southwest (7/12)

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Created on Tuesday, 12 July 2011 20:41

Written by Nathan

Regions: Denver Metro ... Southeast ... Southwest ... Northeast ... Northwest

Beaver Creek Reservoir -- The water level is 20 feet below the high-water mark. It will be maintained at or below that level the entire summer. Currently, the water level is right at the bottom of the boat ramp. Anglers are advised to be cautious on the steep-sided slopes. Anglers have reported fair to good fishing for kokanee and brown trout up to 14 inches.

Big Meadows Reservoir -- Anglers have reported fair to good fishing from boats and from the shore. Fish are ranging in size from 10 to 15 inches.

Blue Mesa Reservoir -- The lake is fishing better than it has in many years. Limits of salmon are being caught daily all across the lake. Runoff continues to fill the lake at a rate of almost a foot a day, with the lake expected to be at full pool by mid July.

Crawford Reservoir -- Several 38- to 42-inch pike were caught in the past week. Catfish are still biting, as well as crappie and perch. Trout have been caught near the dam.

Dolores River (upper) -- The river above McPhee Reservoir has been dropping and clearing. Some trout have been taken on Woolly Worms, Woolly Buggers and Muddler Minnows. Fish the river high in the drainage, above and below Rico, where public access is available and the fish habitat is good. Much of the lower part of the river is private. Because the lower section of the river has been channelized over the years, habitat is poor and the river holds few fish.

East River -- The flow has come down a little, to 1,560 cfs at Almont on Tuesday, but still is three times the long-term average for the date. The river remains essentially unfishable.

Groundhog Reservoir -- Trout up to 24 inches are being caught on flies and a variety of lures. Fish also are being taken by trolling with Pop Geer, and on PowerBait and Nitro Dough.

Gunnison River (through the canyon) -- Over the next few days releases from Crystal Dam will be increased by a total of 800 cfs. Flows in the Gunnison River through the Black Canyon are expected to increase from a gauge reading of 1,750 cfs to around 2550 cfs by July 13. Release changes will be done in 200 cfs increments, well below the recommended maximum ramp-up rate of 500 cfs per day, in order to preserve the safety of any potential visitors to the canyon and to provide a smooth flow increase that all fish can enjoy. Fishing through the gorge is excellent right now. Fish are hitting streamers, adult golden stones, Yellow Sallies and hopper patterns, and are deep-nymphing on Prince Nymphs. For more information check out the website at Gunnisonriverexpeditions.com or Gunnison River Pleasure Park at 970-872-2525

Gunnison River (Upper from Almont to Blue Mesa) -- The flow has been fairly steady, and on Tuesday morning was at 3,060 cubic feet per second. The river remains in a runoff stage. Fishing is difficult and wading is essentially impossible. Float fishermen have had some success with large weighted nymphs and streamer flies.

Jackson Gulch Reservoir -- Fishing has been very good for 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout (limit 4) and 4- to 6-inch yellow perch (no limit). Trollers are still having the most success with in-line spinners and 1/4-ounce jigs. Shore anglers are catching trout on PowerBait, salmon eggs and night crawlers. Fly fishing is getting very good, especially on calm evenings and early mornings. Yellow perch love those worms. Be sure to bring plenty of bait as there is no place to buy it nearby. Rainbow trout will be stocked monthly through the summer. Jackson Gulch requires an ANS inspection before launching boats. Regular inspection hours at the lake are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily. 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 -- Night crawlers and PowerBait have been producing catches of rainbow trout. Largemouth bass have been taken on 4-inch plastic worms, and yellow perch are being taken on 2-inch Twister Tails, tubes and live grubs.

McPhee Reservoir -- The water has been clearing and the surface temperature is 67 degrees. Fishing for smallmouth bass has been good with jigs, grubs and plastic worms. Largemouth bass have been hitting top-water baits. Trout still are taking bait off the bottom, and fly fishermen have had success in the evenings and early mornings. No walleyes were reported during the past week, and fishing for catfish remains slow.

Mountain Home Reservoir -- This lake recently was stocked with 1,500 catchable-sized rainbow trout. Fishing for rainbows has been fair, with reports of fish up to 16 inches in length.

Navajo Reservoir -- The water temp is 70 degrees. Crappie fishing has slowed but a few are being taken with minnows and John Deere-green grubs. Bass fishing is very good by working the rocky points with crank baits and plastics. Pike fishing is excellent with Rapalas. Catfish fishing is good on worms, dough baits and shrimp. For the latest updates on fishing call the marina at (970) 883-2628.

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 are stocked monthly throughout the summer. Fishing continues to be good. Try worms, grasshoppers and red salmon eggs. Fly fishermen might try a black Woolly Bugger or a gold-ribbed Hare's Ear, size 14.

Ridgway Reservoir -- The lake is filling; watch out for logs on the water. Fishing has been good for rainbows from shore and by trolling. Try using a black and red Rooster Tail for rainbows. The smallmouth bass have been biting along the dam and the points of the west shore. PowerBait and worms work great from the shore.

Rio Grande River -- Over the past few days, water flows have dropped to around 850 cfs. The water is becoming clear, which should improve fishing success. Anglers have reported good success by floating the river and on the Coller State Wildlife Area.

Road Canyon Reservoir -- Fishing has been good, with a number of individuals catching their limits in a few hours. Fish have ranged in size from 12 to 14 inches. The algae has remained relatively low, allowing good fishing from shore. The reservoir will be stocked throughout the month of July.

San Luis Lake -- Due to low snowpack the reservoir will not be filled this season. The boat ramp has been closed to motorboats for the season and only hand-launched boats are permitted.

Sanchez Reservoir -- Due to low water levels, the concrete boat ramp is closed and likely will remain that way for the remainder of the year. However, boats are allowed to launch from the shore, but there is some risk of getting stuck. Mandatory boat inspections are still in place and all boats must be inspected prior to launching. The inspection station will be open from approximately 30 minutes before sunrise to 30 minutes after sunset. Please make sure your boat is clean, drained and dry. Due to the discovery of rusty crayfish, an invasive species, all crayfish must either be returned to the water alive or killed by removing the head from the body or thorax before they can be removed from the reservoir. Anglers have reported fair to good fishing for northern pike and walleyes.

Smith Reservoir (San Luis Valley) -- Fishing has been fair to good for rainbow trout. Some anglers have reported fish up to 22 inches and 4.5 pounds. The water level currently is right at the bottom of the concrete boat ramp. The reservoir was recently stocked with more than 2,600 rainbow trout.

Summit Reservoir -- Fishermen have been taking rainbow trout on Nitro Dough. Crappie have been hitting 1- and 2-inch Twister Tails and tubes.

Taylor River -- The river on Tuesday was flowing at 785 cfs below Taylor Dam and 1,110 cfs at Almont, up from last week and well above the long-term averages. Though some fishable water may be found directly below the dam, the river is not wadable through virtually its entire course. Rafting fishermen familiar with the river report some success with large nymphs and streamers.

Totten Reservoir -- Top-water action for bass has been improving. Anglers also have been catching northern pike and a few crappie.

Tucker Ponds -- The ponds will be stocked the first week of June and stocking will continue through July.

Uncompahgre River in Ridgway Park -- The water temperature on the river at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is about 48 degrees and it is running dirty because the lake is spilling. Fishing has been good. Fishermen have been picking up rainbow and cutthroat trout. Soft-hackles, Pheasant Tails and San Juan worms are working. Flows are around 850 cfs. With flows being high, watch for drop-offs when wading.