Warm water fishing getting hot in Colorado

Warm water fishing getting hot in Colorado

May 31, 2001

BY THE COLORADO DIVISION OF WILDLIFE

DENVER — Colorado is known for its large and diverse population of wildlife, but the state’s internal secret of excellent, warmwater fishing still remains relatively safe. Together, the words "Colorado" and "fishing" conjure up images of mountain streams, fly rods and trout for most people. Division officials are predicting a summer of warmwater fishing opportunities that may inspire images of a massive tiger muskie, walleye, large mouth bass or wiper instead of the traditional trout.

Since an effort to build the state’s warmwater fishery was emphasized in 1980, both the popularity of fishing for warm water species and the quality of the warmwater fishing experience in Colorado have grown.

"A lot of people moving into the state grew up fishing for warmwater fish," said Tom Kingsley, assistant hatchery chief for the Division. "We have a fair amount of opportunity here and access is good. Also, were figuring out the most successful ways to manage these waters under the conditions in Colorado."

Heavy stocking of warm water species throughout the 90’s is paying off in the form of high numbers of large, warmwater fish. It is an accomplishment that pleases anglers who substitute spinning rods for fly rods and reservoirs and ponds for streams and rivers. This year promises to be just as spectacular as the last several years when it comes to capitalizing on all species of warmwater game fish.

According to Kingsley, one of the most important variables in the health of warmwater fisheries in Colorado is the water level. A dry summer, like last year, can wreak havoc on once healthy populations of fish. Most Colorado reservoirs are storage for agricultural irrigation water and water levels drop quickly when the area dries out.

"One thing about fish is they need water to survive," Kingsley said. "We may have a 30 foot change in water levels in one year. Heavy, wet snows like the ones we had this spring will sure go a long way in helping us out this year."

Despite the dry summer last year, most of the warmwater fisheries made it through the year in fairly good condition, Kingsley said. There were only a couple of waters that suffered. It is doubtful the muskie will ever replace the trout species as the most popular sport fish in Colorado. But for those who are willing to give it a try, Colorado’s warmwater fisheries will provide plenty of action and an enjoyable outdoor experience.

Water levels will be less of a factor along the Western Slope. It is still early to predict how the fishing will be this summer, said Bill Elmblad, area aquatics biologist out of Grand Junction, but some of the Western Slope waters hold promise.

"Elkhead Reservoir (east of Craig) bass fishing should be good," Elmblad said. "There should be a lot of fish over the 15 inch limit. People should also be on the lookout for 12 inch or better crappies."

Northern pike fishermen should bring their heavy tackle to Rio Blanco Lake; there will be a large numbers of pike, some which have been transplanted from the Yampa River. Rifle Gap Reservoir is expected to be good for perch. "Last year people were catching 14-and 15-inch perch there, it should continue this summer," Elmblad said. "It also has a good population of walleyes."

Juniata Reservoir, near Grand Junction, also has a large population of walleyes that feed heavily on crayfish. Statewide bag limits apply. For Grand Junction residents looking for a low maintenance fishing trip, an evening at Connected Lakes in the city should pay dividends of largemouth bass and bluegill.

"I’m pretty pumped about it," said Jim Melby, aquatic biologist whose area includes the Lathrop Park system, and Pueblo and Trinidad Reservoirs. "The fishing should be really good this year."

Melby believes all of the waters are holding high numbers of large fish, but the skill may not be in catching the fish, but getting to them, due to low water levels.

"We have some access issues to deal with, but if you get onto these waters, they all are going to be good this summer," Melby said.

The fish aren’t waiting for summer to feed. A 21-pound 12-ounce wiper was caught last Sunday out of Pueblo Reservoir and there have been reports of walleye and saugeye bites in the last several weeks.

Walleye fishermen should expect a lot from the area waters this summer, Melby said. A Division crew just finished a walleye egg harvest and he saw high numbers of big fish caught in the gill nets used to catch the walleye before they spawn in Pueblo Reservoir.

Bass fishing is expected to be excellent also, but there are length limits for both bass and walleye on the lakes. If people are expecting to catch a meal, they should go after wipers, which have no length limit and a bag limit of 20 fish.

"You’re going to catch a lot of fish out of these lakes, but because of the length limits most of them will have to go back," Melby said. "As long as people don’t mind putting the majority of fish they catch back, the action should be good throughout the summer."

Access will also affect the fishing at John Martin and Nee Noshe Reservoirs said Charlie Bennett, area wildlife manager for the lower Arkansas River Valley.

"The lakes are lower," Bennett said. "There is still plenty of water and plenty of fish, but getting a boat in will be difficult."

Queens Reservoir still has useable boat ramps and the gill netting that took place this spring is encouraging biologists to predict good saugeye, wiper and crappie fishing for the upcoming summer, according to Bennett.

The other good news for the area is that there were large die-offs of the forage fish known as gizzard shad in the area this winter. The lower numbers of forage fish means the sport fish will be more willing to take what the fishermen present to them. In John Martin Reservoir, the sample of gizzard shad caught in gill nets this spring went from 56 percent of the biological mass in the reservoir last year to 4 percent this year.

Several large saugeye were taken from John Martin Reservoir already this spring. There were two or three that were candidates for the state record, including a 10-pound, 12-ounce fish that has yet to be officially weighed and another fish that was eaten before it had a chance to officially break the record.

"There has been a number of nice big saugeye in the last two weeks," Bennett said. "There has also been good crappie fishing on Blue Lake." For those who can’t resist getting some trout action in this summer, many of the lakes in the area were stocked last fall with cacheable sized trout. They should be in the 12-to 13-inch range this summer.

Before heading to the southeast area of the state to fish, it may be a good idea to check water levels on the lake your planning to fish by calling the Division’s Lamar Service Center at (719) 336-6600 or visiting the Colorado State Parks Web site at www.coloradoparks.org under the heading "Boats."

Dry weather last summer claimed one of the fisheries in the area. Jumbo Reservoir suffered a heavy summer kill when water level reached dead pool levels, Jay Stafford, aquatic biologist for Northeast Colorado. Restocking efforts have begun, but it will be some time before the fishery recovers, said Stafford.

The good news is there are plenty of other excellent options as long as there is a decent amount of precipitation this summer.

"A lot of it will depend on the drought cycle," Stafford said. "It mostly hinges on whether we get enough June, July and August late afternoon thunderstorms. Right now all the lakes are full."

The full lakes are currently offering some great fishing experiences. Sterling Reservoir should continue to remain an excellent crappie, wiper and catfish lake while the walleye fishing deserves some notoriety also.

"It has a fair to good walleye population," Stafford said.

Prewitt Reservoir is home for an excellent population of wipers; anglers have already been tremendously successful at catching these hard fighting fish this spring.

"When the wipers get going it can really be unbelievable," Stafford said. "There is also a nice population of saugeye and a real nice walleye population. It can be an excellent fishery; I would expect it to continue. Bait fishermen and anglers who troll it usually do well."

Walleye anglers can find a home at Jackson Reservoir, which Stafford said has the largest population of walleye out of any of the reservoirs in his area. The reservoir also holds an excellent population of wipers, the average ranging from 2 to 4 pounds while 10 to 14 pound fish are caught often.

"Jackson has really come on in the last year," Stafford said. "It also has good crappie fishing." Boyd Lake, near Loveland, is a good bet for fishermen of any ability. It sustains healthy populations of large mouth bass, crappie, wiper, walleye, stocked trout and catfish.

"It’s one of the old standbys," Stafford said. "It’s got everything."

Union Reservoir, near Longmont, should not be overlooked with its population of wiper, large mouth bass catfish and crappie.

"I think the general forecast is really good for this summer," Stafford said. "The duration of the good fishing will depend upon how much moisture we get throughout the summer."

Lakes in the Colorado Springs area experienced a large gizzard shad die-off this winter, which should make business easier for area fishermen this summer.

"Bonny Reservoir had huge numbers of gizzard shad last year," said Gary Dowler, area aquatics biologist. "It made it tough to fish. I’m expecting it to be better this year." The area has maintained fairly consistent stocking over the past six or seven years and the effort is beginning to pay off in some large fish of several different species being caught on a regular basis.

Other opportunities include some of the waters in the City of Colorado Springs for large mouth bass and many of the area reservoirs, which were stocked last fall with catchable trout. "Some are being stocked as we speak," Dowler said. "People will have lots of options for trout."

Denver Metro Area

These are the "good old days" of walleye fishing, Dave Nesler, wildlife manager for the metro area said.

"It is a good time in history to be a walleye fisherman," Nesler said. "I hope the fishermen take advantage of it."

Nesler based his theory on what he saw caught in the gill nets during the walleye egg harvest earlier this spring at Chatfield and Cherry Creek reservoirs. He added that the two metro reservoirs also have large numbers of lunker trout, crappie and bluegill.

Quincy reservoir is the best metro option for anyone who wants the opportunity to hook into one of the real freshwater leviathans. "There are still a lot of large tiger muskie waiting around at Quincy for someone to catch them," Nesler said.

Quincy is also a good spot for good size large mouth bass. Smallmouth bass inhabit Arvada, Jim Baker and Chatfield Reservoirs in high numbers. The best bet for metro wipers will be Cherry Creek Reservoir with wipers averaging eight to 10 pounds and larger.

Cherry Creek also has some monster northern pike lurking around in it, according to Nesler. The walleye gill nets this spring snagged some 40-inch plus northerns.

Last year’s stocked trout at the larger metro reservoirs have put on some girth since their release and should provide plenty of options for those anglers who like to real them in.

"Overall, it should be a pretty good season," Nesler said. "The fishermen are always going to be able to find something that will bite for them. All species seem to be on the bite at one time or another."

For more information on warm water fishing opportunities throughout Colorado can be found on the Division’s web site at www.dnr.state.co.us/wildlife or by calling one of the Division’s Fishing Conditions Hotlines: Northwest, (303) 291-7536; Southwest, (303) 291-7539; Northeast, (303) 291-7536; Southeast (303) 291-7538; central (303) 291-7535. Up to the date stocking reports can be obtained by calling (303) 291-7531.