Recent fishing conditions from the CDOW 9/06/04

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[size 1]Here are some of the recent fishing conditions reported by your state by Region. This information comes directly from the DOW and other sources. Some of the reports include some fly fishing information as well. [/size]
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Aurora Reservoir - Water temperature is around 70 degrees and fishing for catfish is good; a 23-pounder was caught in Lonetree Cove on chicken liver. Trout are deep and fishing for them has been hit-or-miss lately. Best area for shorecasters has been off the dam using rainbow Power Bait. Boaters have caught some trout trolling Rapalas on lead-core line or fishing with crawlers and Power Bait off the bottom in 30 to 40 feet of water. Walleye action is slow to fair using leeches, though many fish are below the 18-inch limit. Restrictions: Only electric motors are allowed on boats and portable gas tanks must be removed. All boats must be off the water one half hour after sunset. Park hours for September are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Barr Lake - Fishing has slowed but a few catfish have been caught on Bowkers stinkbait and frozen whole shrimp. Trout can also be caught in the mornings on Power Bait, Crave Bait and small crawlers. Fish on the bottom about 8 feet deep.

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Bear Creek - Weather patterns have varied flows and clarity but this creek fishes well when clear. Some nice trout have been caught here this year. Try using Black Caddis dries and beadhead nymphs, such as the Copper John or Brassie.

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Bear Creek Reservoir - Fishing for trout has been slow. Some smallmouth bass have been caught on Woolly Buggers and saugeyes on jigs tipped with worms. Boating is restricted to 10-horsepower motors and wakeless speeds.

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Berkeley Lake - Trout fishing has been slow but should pick up as the water cools. Use Power Bait, Crave Bait and Tasmanian Devil lures. Best fishing is in the mornings. Many small bluegills can also be caught here on Gulp Maggots and Power Wigglers.

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Centennial Park Lake - Morning trout fishing has been fair to good. Try using a live minnow suspended 4 feet below a bobber. As the water warms toward afternoon, lower the minnow to 6 feet. Small bluegills are also being caught near the pier on the east side of the lake with Gulp Maggots.

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Chatfield Ponds - Some nice smallmouth bass are being caught in the ponds on crayfish-imitation crankbaits. Fish them shallow and slowly. When the day gets hot switch to live minnows about 4 feet deep in the weeds. Small walleyes are also being caught on minnows and nightcrawlers in deeper water; most are under 18 inches.

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Chatfield Reservoir - Look for pre-spawn brown trout to start schooling at the Platte River inlet. Soon they will begin their annual run upriver. Use large minnow imitations such as Rapalas, Rebels and Frenzy Minnows. Some smallmouth bass are still being caught around the dam. Best bets are spinner jigs and live minnows. Nice walleyes are being taken along the old roadbed about 18 feet deep, mostly on leeches, crawlers and Frenzies.

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Cheesman Reservoir - Reclamation work in the wake of the 2002 Hayman fire is now finished but the reservoir will remain closed to fishing all year because of a danger posed by still-standing burned snags.

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Cherry Creek Reservoir - Walleye fishing is boom or bust. You can catch a lot of fish one day and none the next. Try trolling a Yozuri Minnow or a nightcrawler on a bottom bouncer. Best time is at night following the old Cherry Creek Channel or along the dam. Some trout are being caught out from the picnic structures along the west side on Crave Bait, Power Bait and live minnows.

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Clear Creek (above Hwy. 119) - When the water is muddied by rain, use dark flies such as Black Caddis, Black Gnats and Black Ants. On clearer days try small nymphs such as the RS2, Copper John or Gold-Ribbed Hare's ear. Fishing is best late mornings and evenings.

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Clear Lake - Small brook trout are being caught here and in the creek above on small Caddis and Renegade flies. Use a clear bubble to help to get some distance on the lake. For rainbows use Power Bait, Crave Bait or small nightcrawlers.

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Evergreen Lake - Tiger muskies have been feasting on trout, chubs and suckers in this lake. Best way to fish for them is sight-casting to fish in the shallows with large spoons or spinners with a steel leader. But several have been caught on trout tackle this summer. Fishing for stocked rainbows has been good in the mornings using Power Bait, Crave Bait or small nightcrawlers.

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Georgetown Lake - This lake is always good for small trout at this time of year. Brookies, rainbows and browns are all becoming more active as the water cools. Light-colored dry flies, small silver spinners and a variety of baits such as Power Bait, Crave Bait or small nightcrawlers all catch fish, including the occasional lunker.

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Gross Reservoir - Some nice rainbows are being caught here on a variety of flies, lures and baits. A fly and bubble works well. Best flies are the Renegade, Orange Asher and Bloody Butcher. Crave Bait and Power Bait always catch fish.

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Jim Baker Reservoir - Changing weather patterns seem to make this lake struggle. Try live minnows below a bobber in 6-8 feet of water for trout and perch. Small catfish can also be caught on frozen whole shrimp.

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Ketring Park Lake - The lake was drained last year to make it deeper and add structure for fish habitat. It will be restocked with warm-water species but they will take some time to reach respectable size.

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Main Lake - Largemouth and smallmouth bass are being caught on Texas-rigged Gulp worms. Fish mornings or evenings and retrieve very slowly along the lake bottom. Darker colors work best.

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Palmer Lake - Not worth fishing. This is one of several lakes that went dry or will be drained this year and no fish have been stocked.