Whoever put the request in for rain, could you please let me know - I’d like to put in a request for some days of mild wind for fishing. lol The rain the past few days have been a blessing, the farmers are getting plenty of moisture for the crops in the ground. I talked to one farmer today out near Kersey who said they received over 2” of rain so far and don’t think they will have to irrigate spring-planted crops until almost July. This will allow the water in the river to be used to help fill the lakes that are still low and fill some augmentation ponds. Some quick lake updates - Cherry Creek is up 3.5 feet in the last 3 days, Chatfield is up over 18”, the inlet at Lake Loveland is ripping at over 450 cfs, the inlet at Prewitt has turned on, and looks like some water is starting down the Jackson ditch.
This week the fishing along the northern front range has really turned on, with many of the lakes hitting 60 degrees. I was able to make it out to most of the days. Starting to see the crappies moving in to spawn, largemouth bass should be following soon. Walleyes are really chomping and the water temp is getting the wipers going.
I made it out to Union and Boyd, both have walleye bites that are picking up. Trolling cranks or dragging bait seems to be the best presentation. A few people are catching them dragging jigs with minnows. Boyd has a bass bite still going strong - target cover and shorelines with stained/muddy water. Trout are still hitting spinners/spoons trolled and bait being dragged for eyes. The crappies and wipers are starting at Union, but they are still a little spotty.
Other area lakes: Boedecker has some crappies being caught. Try the cover on the north and west side. Chatfield is still fishing good for smallmouth and walleyes. The dam, Plum Creek, and inlet areas seem to be best. Cherry Creek has the basin bite with leadcore going and the bait bite is starting to turn on near the shallower structure. At Horsetooth, the smallies, walleyes, and trout are biting. Look for the smallies moving back into the coves. Walleyes and trout are more on the main lake points and damns. There are a few wipers starting to show up at Jackson. I’m not sure how the numbers but I’m thinking of taking a trip out there next week. Area ponds have seen a big push of crappies into spawn. When fishing any species during the spawn it’s good to try and release the females to reproduce and create more for future enjoyment.
This week I’m not going to include any streamflows update as the rain is causing the river to rise quickly, to dangerous levels in many areas. I’d stay clear of the rivers for several days after this rain wraps up. The lakes and ponds are fishing really good, so enjoy that opportunity and avoid any dangerous situation on the rivers.
CPW NEWS
Trout stockings: Evergreen Lake, Hudson Town Pond, Tarryall Reservoir
I found a new pond and have put a request for CPW to start stocking this, it’s in my driveway and once stocked I’ll share the location.
FLP FISHING TIP: Cold fronts
The weather this week has me thinking about cold fronts and how they impact fish locations and activity.
Let’s start looking at the general impact of cold fronts and how long they last. When a cold front moves in, the shallow-water fish are impacted more than deeper fish. Shallow fish will often slide off to the first deep break, a deeper spot in a flat, or the inside turns of points. The first 24-48 hrs shallow fish will be less active and in a neutral to negative mood. If the cold front lasts more than a couple of days the fish will stay in the new locations but start to get active again. This can make for some of the best fishing of the summer, especially for big fish. You do want to slow your presentation down - for bass, I go to bigger and slower presentations like a jig and pig, for walleyes I might go to a jig and minnow.
With deeper fish being less impacted, I’m going out fishing right after a big cold front, I’m going to target deeper fish.
Now with a front like we’ve just had that includes lots of moisture, this will cause the lakes/ponds to rise. Once the weather stabilizes and the raising water levels, fish will often times push shallow. With the higher water new vegetation is going to be flooded, causing the bait fish to move in and the bigger fish to follow. Don’t overlook areas as shallow as just a foot deep.
Certain species seem to be more impacted by a cold fronts than others. Bass and crappies are more impacted. Whereas walleye, bluegills, and trout are less impacted.
So the next time the forecast calls for a cold front don’t dread fishing, just take these things into consideration. Make a few adjustments to the location of your fishing and your presentation. The next cold front could lead to some of your best fishing of the year.
FISHING FUNNY