05-14-2008, 11:10 AM
Anglers will be pleased to know that the new and improved boat ramp at Nee Gronda Reservoir at the Queens State Wildlife Area in Kiowa County is open for use.
<br>Employees from the Colorado Division of Wildlife completed work on the new and improved ramp on May 8.<br>
<br>Nee Gronda Reservoir is prone to low water conditions. In an effort to allow boating access, improvements were made to the ramp. Of special note is a wider turn around that reduces the distance required to back down to the water.<br>
<br>Nee Gronda is one of the state's best saugeye and wiper fisheries. Catch rates are especially good during May and June. Anglers can be successful using a variety of methods, but the most consistent catches come by slow trolling or drifting jigs and crank baits. Shore anglers can be successful by wading out and casting jigs or crank baits, or by bait fishing.<br>
<br>Nee Gronda also has good populations of white bass, catfish, crappie, and smallmouth bass. Crappie and smallmouth bass congregate among Nee Gronde's many shallow submerged trees in mid-spring and remain there until mid-June.<br>
<br>Anglers can be successful with minnow rigs or small jigs. Small crank baits are effective, but are easily snagged in the many submerged trees that populate the Nee Gronde lake bed.<br>
<br>White bass fishing can be very good at times. White bass are opportunistic feeders and will hit throughout spring and summer on almost anything that resembles prey. Gizzard shad is the primary forage species in Nee Gronde. Anglers should choose lures that resemble or imitate shad effectively.<br>
<br>A lesser known fishing opportunity at Nee Gronda is the catfish population, which should not be ignored by anglers. Gillnetting data from 2007 revealed that the average catfish is 20 inches long and weighs 2.5 lbs. Previous surveys have found many catfish in the 12 lb. range. Shrimp and crawdads (also effective wiper baits), worms, and dough baits are effective for catfish (especially at night).<br>
<br>The Queens State Wildlife area is located about 15 miles south of the town of Eads.
<br>Employees from the Colorado Division of Wildlife completed work on the new and improved ramp on May 8.<br>
<br>Nee Gronda Reservoir is prone to low water conditions. In an effort to allow boating access, improvements were made to the ramp. Of special note is a wider turn around that reduces the distance required to back down to the water.<br>
<br>Nee Gronda is one of the state's best saugeye and wiper fisheries. Catch rates are especially good during May and June. Anglers can be successful using a variety of methods, but the most consistent catches come by slow trolling or drifting jigs and crank baits. Shore anglers can be successful by wading out and casting jigs or crank baits, or by bait fishing.<br>
<br>Nee Gronda also has good populations of white bass, catfish, crappie, and smallmouth bass. Crappie and smallmouth bass congregate among Nee Gronde's many shallow submerged trees in mid-spring and remain there until mid-June.<br>
<br>Anglers can be successful with minnow rigs or small jigs. Small crank baits are effective, but are easily snagged in the many submerged trees that populate the Nee Gronde lake bed.<br>
<br>White bass fishing can be very good at times. White bass are opportunistic feeders and will hit throughout spring and summer on almost anything that resembles prey. Gizzard shad is the primary forage species in Nee Gronde. Anglers should choose lures that resemble or imitate shad effectively.<br>
<br>A lesser known fishing opportunity at Nee Gronda is the catfish population, which should not be ignored by anglers. Gillnetting data from 2007 revealed that the average catfish is 20 inches long and weighs 2.5 lbs. Previous surveys have found many catfish in the 12 lb. range. Shrimp and crawdads (also effective wiper baits), worms, and dough baits are effective for catfish (especially at night).<br>
<br>The Queens State Wildlife area is located about 15 miles south of the town of Eads.