This week’s warm weather improved the bite for warm water fish in most of the waters in NoCo, and the trout bite remained strong. The walleye spawn on most of the lakes, except Horsetooth and Carter, is starting to wrap up. This means the bite is going to be improving. Largemouth bass and panfish in the ponds are pushing up into the shallows. Trout have remained active and lots of new stockings.
I made it out to Boyd, Union, and several ponds this week. I also had a first happen for me, I caught my first tiger musky out of Boyd. They were first stocked in 2022 and 2023, this one was mid 20-inch range and caught on a jerkbait. I think the stocking of these is going to make a good addition to the fishery. The trout bite at Boyd is going strong - try casting jerkbaits or trolling jointed Shad Raps out about 100 feet. Union is starting to pick up for walleye and some wipers. The wipers are suspended and best with a white crankbait. Walleyes are hugging the bottom. Caught them trolling cranks and jigs with plastics. Seemed like the mid-day bite was best. As for the ponds I have been using the Crush City Mayor in the Sight Flash color. Panfish are hitting small jigs with plastics and wet flies.
HOT BITES
Cherry Creek - the walleye bite is turning on. The majority of the fish are being caught trolling with leadcore, with spotty numbers coming jigging.
Boyd - the trout action is fast! Fish are from 5-20 feet deep. Cover water to find the active fish or look for areas the waves are hitting. Natural colors have been best, especially with some white on it.
Horsetooth - smallmouth are being caught on main lake points. The water temp is low 40s.
Ponds - the bite is good at the ponds. Check the stocking location to catch trout in the recently stocked ponds. Largemouth are moving shallow and starting to get active. Try paddletails and spinnerbaits. Panfish use a jig and plastic under a float or on a slow steady retrieve. In the evenings you can often see bluegills and crappies up in the shallows feeding.
CPW NEWS
Trout Stockings:
Denver Area - Sloans Lake, Centennial Park Pond, Standley, Arvada
Northern Front Range - Prospect Pond #3, Riverbend Pond #2, Jayhawker Ponds #1 & #2, Hudson Town Pond, Smith Lake, Pella Crossing - Clearwater and Dragonfly, and Milavec
REMINDER - New fishing licenses were needed April 1
SCHEELS FISH FEST
One of the best fishing events of the year for anglers in Colorado!! Packed with lots of seminars, information, sales, and giveaways. Make sure to mark your calendars and I will see you there!
TERRY WICKSTROM RADIO
I’ll be talking about current fishing conditions in NoCo at 9:30 am Saturday on Terry Wickstrom Outdoors Radio show. The show airs on 104.3 The Fan Saturday from 9-11 am.
UPCOMING FISHING EVENTS
April 13-14 CWT Walleye tournament at Cherry Creek - registration closes soon. Click here for more information.
April 14 - Colorado Youth Fish Fest kids fishing event in Fort Collins being run by Little Wilderness. Registration is still open. Click here to sign up.
April 20 - Family fishing event at St. Vrain State Park.
April 27 - Scheels Fish Fest - packed with seminars, sales, kids events, and fun!
July 20-21 The Full Moon Open Bass Tournament - a fun-filled all-night bass tournament put on by Centennial Bass Club. Space is limited so sign up early!! Click here to register or for more information
FLP FISHING TIP - Water Clarity is a key
Water clarity is a crucial factor in fishing, influencing both the behavior of fish and the tactics anglers use to catch them. In clear water, fish rely more heavily on sight to detect prey, making them more discerning and cautious. This means that anglers must use subtle presentations and lifelike baits to entice bites from wary fish. Additionally, clear water allows anglers to see fish and structure beneath the surface, helping them to target specific areas and make accurate casts. On the other hand, murky or turbid water can provide cover for predatory fish, allowing them to ambush prey more easily. Understanding how water clarity affects fish behavior is essential for anglers to choose the right techniques and locations for a successful day on the water.
Water clarity is always an important consideration when selecting presentations and colors to use while fishing. In clear water, where visibility is high, it's crucial to opt for natural-looking presentations that mimic the appearance of real prey. This means selecting baits and lures with subtle colors and lifelike movements to entice bites from wary fish. On the other hand, in murky or turbid water where visibility is limited, anglers should choose colors that stand out and are highly visible to fish. Bright colors like whites, oranges, and chartreuses, as well as bold contrasts like blacks, can help attract attention and trigger strikes in conditions where fish rely more on their senses of vibration and movement rather than sight. I tend to use lures that have rattles and/or more aggressive actions in murky waters. By tailoring presentations and colors to match the water clarity, anglers can maximize their chances of success on the water.