Well, the spring wind is here along the northern front range. Seems like it’s blowing every other day this past week. After the really cold weather midweek, we saw -15 one morning, the wind and sun combined to cause some open water. I did some exploring on Tuesday to find open water in more than 1 location, yes I am ready to break the long rods out. Here is what I found: Prewitt has open water on the west end near the inlets; in the Denver area Bear Creek and Barr have a little open water starting to show; up north in Loveland Boyd has a couple of holes in the middle of the South end; a little further south in Longmont, Union had a little open water in the middle and McCall was about 1/4 open on the west end. The two lakes with the most open water remain Carter and Horsetooth. Carter is almost 90% ice-free and people are catching some decent-sized trout from the shore.
Lake elevations are still rising steadily at Horsetooth and Carter, slowly rising at Chatfield. Bear Creek is now starting to slowly drop.
This has been another good week for the snowpack in the South Platte drainage, it’s staying steady at 106% of normal and 67% of average peak. The storms middle of this week should help keep us in good shape.
RADIO UPDATE THIS WEEKEND
I will be giving a conditions update for NoCo on Terry Wickstrom Outdoors radio show this Saturday, March 4 on Sports Radio 104.3 the Fan in Denver. The show airs from 9-11 am, tentatively I’ll be on at 10:15.
FISHERY SURVEY TRENDS - HORSETOOTH AND CARTER
Horsetooth
Overall walleye numbers have been on a slow decline.
The past couple of samples has shown little to no recruitment of walleye. This is one of the major reasons CPW has started stocking walleyes again in Horsetooth. The sampling at this lake typically is in the spring and this could contribute to lower numbers of walleye smaller than 10” being sampled.
The positive news on the walleye front is there are good numbers of 20”+.
Smallmouth bass numbers are strong and trending to more 14”+ fish present
There are some nice bluegills
Wiper and white bass have been stocked and starting to show up
Carter (special walleye regs)
Rainbow trout are mainly stockers with a chance of 16-20” fish
There are strong numbers of 15-20” walleye
Largemouth bass are present, not in high numbers but good sized
CPW is working to increase the panfish population in the lake
Lake trout are present
WE HAVE THE WINNERS!!!
Last week’s issue had a chance to win one of 2 Scheels gift cards. The winners have been chosen. … … … Congratulations to Bryant and Joel!!!
FLP FISHING TIPS: Location - Ice Off fishing hot spots
As the weather starts to warm, there are certain locations that will attract fish first because of warmer water and increased invertebrate activity. By targeting these areas you increase your chance of fishing success. For those of you who don’t enjoy getting up at the crack of dawn, ice off is a great time to get out there because the best bite usually happens in the afternoon.
Here are some of the locations to focus your angling efforts.
North and West shores - these shorelines will receive the most intense sun to heat up quicker.
Shallow coves - these usually have a darker bottom again helping warm up. If the mouth of the cove narrows to keep the warmer water from mixing with the main lake even better.
Rocks - rocky areas that extend to the surface will attract solar energy and warm the surrounding waters.
Trees and emergent vegetation (like cattails) - these areas act similar to rock in warming the area, plus the vegetation helps to promote invertebrate activity.
Inlets - any areas with water coming in. This can be rivers, creeks, ditches, drains, or just runoff from surrounding lands.
Wind sweep shorelines - the wind will push warmer water to that shoreline. Right at ice off I prefer winds up to 10 mph for best results. One thing overlooked is if you get strong winds blowing in one direction for several days, there will be a reverse current on the other side that brings the warmer weather to the opposite shoreline.
The Feb. 15 issues discussed 3 top ice-off presentations that will match well with these locations. Click Here to see that issue.
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FISHING FUNNIES