04-14-2011, 11:10 AM
LAMAR, Colo. - Spring fishing is beginning to heat up in southeastern Colorado.
"Anglers are getting their gear out to go after crappie, bass, wipers, walleyes, catfish and other warmwater species," said Jim Ramsay, the Colorado Division of Wildlife aquatic biologist for the lower Arkansas River Basin. "Based on our sampling results and incremental stocking, anglers in the southeast part of the state should be in for a good season."
"This is the time of year we start seeing anglers on the local waterways," he said. "Warmer water temperatures make fish more active and catch rates should steadily improve as we move toward summer."
Ramsay said the Division has undertaken several projects to improving fishing in the region including repairs to the dam at Two Buttes Reservoir, which is dry at this time. The repairs will allow for increased water storage in the future.
On the plus side, the Division has obtained supplemental water to fill Turk's Pond and he expects good fishing conditions there.
Many of the reservoirs in the southeast corner of the state are supplied by irrigation companies, so water levels and fishing conditions vary throughout the region. Ramsay suggests anglers call the local office in Lamar to check specific conditions before heading out.
Here is an abbreviated summary of Ramsay's 2011 fishing forecast for the lower Arkansas basin.
Turks Pond (55 acres)
Located on the Turks Pond State Wildlife Area in Baca County near the town of Two Buttes. This winter, the DOW supplemented water from an existing well with additional water from a neighboring farm. The result is water levels high enough to resume boat launching from the ramp. Boaters are restricted to electric motors only.
Historically, Turks Pond has been a good crappie fishery, but declined to the point the DOW began additional stocking. Fishing for crappie is expected to still be somewhat slow in 2011. Wipers, largemouth bass and bluegill are present, and can be caught on traditional baits. In addition, catchable rainbow trout are stocked in spring and fall.
Night anglers are often more successful for catfish. Grass carp are stocked to control aquatic weeds. These fish grow to trophy size, but are difficult to catch. Some anglers specifically target them with flies and other small lures.
New regulations governing the use of live baitfish apply at Turks Pond in 2011. Live bait fish must be purchased from a licensed bait dealer (receipt required) or can be obtained from the pond itself. No live fish may be brought to Turks Pond from any other source. These regulations will help prevent the spread of disease and aquatic nuisance species.
Nee Noshe Reservoir (about 250 acres)<br />
Unfortunately, declining levels and poor water quality have taken their toll at this once proud fishery. Fall sampling revealed no fish. Fishery management will cease at Nee Noshe until the lake is refilled.
Nee Gronde Reservoir (1,200 acres)<br />
The waterfowl resting closure has been lifted at Nee Gronde Reservoir and it is open for recreational use. Surface use is limited to hand-launched vessels only. The ramps are unusable and the shoreline is inappropriate for trailer-launched vessels.
Nee Gronde had a large winter fish die-off during the 2009-2010 season. Efforts were made during the 2010 summer to re-stock and re-build this fishery, but the success of those efforts is unknown at this time.
John Martin Reservoir (currently about 3,800 acres)<br />
As an irrigation storage lake, fluctuating water levels continue to provide a rapidly changing lake environment. Fishing success rates were high at John Martin in 2010 for walleye, saugeye and white bass. Other species that provided good action included drum, catfish, smallmouth bass, and crappie.
Fishing in 2011 is again expected to be very good. The best fishing usually occurs during the spring months (mid April-June). The most abundant game fish species are walleye, saugeye, white bass, and channel catfish. Good numbers of crappie are available as well. John Martin has been a popular spring crappie-fishing destination for many years. Although anglers have not often caught large numbers of crappie the last couple of years, the fish harvested have typically been larger, with 14-inch fish being common. Crappie fishing is expected to be fair to good.
Boat inspections are required to prevent aquatic invasive species. Boat anglers should call John Martin State Park or view their website for details on the boat inspection schedule. Anglers can also contact John Martin Reservoir State Park or check the DOW fishing report on the internet for the latest fishing conditions.
Adobe Creek Reservoir (a.k.a. Blue Lake) (variable, 700 - 2,500 acres)<br />
Blue Lake is a popular catfishing destination. Two species of catfish inhabit Blue Lake; channel catfish and blue catfish. Both species can grow to large sizes. Anglers consistently catch these fish from shore, with many using large, surfcasting-type rods that can cast great distances. Popular baits include water dogs, large minnows, cut bait, crayfish, shrimp, dough bait, and worms.
Crappies have made a nice comeback at Blue Lake. Fall inventory sampling revealed that large numbers of fish in the 10-inch range are present. Anglers usually begin catching good numbers of crappie in late April to early May. Boat anglers tend to fish near the many submerged tamarisk trees or drift in shallow water areas. Shore anglers often prefer to fish near submerged tamarisk or in the outlet canal.
The saugeye population continues to thrive at Blue Lake, with very few anglers targeting this popular sport fish. All saugeye must be 15 inches or longer to keep, and many of the saugeye in the lake should be in this range for 2011. Blue Lake is very isolated and distant from most population hubs. Fishing pressure is low and good opportunities await anglers willing to travel to this out-of-the-way location.
Two Buttes Reservoir (Currently Dry)<br />
Two Buttes Reservoir straddles the Prowers-Baca county line on Two Buttes Creek. It once had a capacity of 41,000 acre-feet, but is restricted to less than 10,000 acre-feet by dam safety issues. Currently, the lake is dry. An engineering project is underway to repair the leaky head gates on the dam. Once completed, the dam will function properly to impound water collected from run-off events.
Meredith Reservoir (3,000 acres)<br />
The fishery at Meredith has improved dramatically since being drained and refilled in 2004. Through systematic stocking efforts, we have seen a shift to more desirable game fish species. A fish retention screening system was constructed in 2005. This structure allows the water releases but prevents fish loss.
Crappie fishing was good at Meredith in 2010. During peak crappie fishing periods, anglers tended to crowd the pier next to the ramp where many 10 inch or larger fish are taken. Efforts will be made in 2011 to create other crappie holding areas that can be easily accessed from shore. Boat anglers should try finding crappie around the many submerged tamarisk trees around the lake. Typically, crappies begin biting in mid-spring as lake temperatures warm into the mid-50s. Anglers use live minnows and small jigs (less than 1/8 ounce) to catch these fish.
Good populations of saugeye and wiper are available at Meredith. These fish can be caught in open water areas near schools of baitfish. Channel catfish is another species that is gaining popularity. All the typical catfish baits should be effective at Meredith.
Henry Lake (1,000 acres)<br />
Henry is a large shallow lake with average depths of less than seven feet. Irrigation water is stored in Henry and used throughout the summer. Crappie fishing should be fair to good in 2011. Anglers commonly catch these fish along the large rock levy that surrounds much of Henry Lake. The spring crappie bite typically begins in late April.
Large wipers are common in Henry. These fish are very strong, and provide plenty of fight when hooked. Anglers targeting wipers should try fishing with shiny casting lures, jigs, shad imitating plastics, or live bait. This year should be another good one for wipers, as they were well represented in our creel survey and inventory sample.
Thurston Reservoir (100 - 200 acres)<br />
Thurston remained relatively full throughout 2010. Current water deals are in progress that will hopefully ensure good water levels for the immediate future. Thurston has been stocked annually since 2006. Shore access is very limited at Thurston. Anglers should plan on wading, belly boating, or using small watercraft to fish Thurston.
Midwestern Farms Pond (35 acres)<br />
Midwestern Farms Pond is a 35-acre lake leased by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. It is located on Highway 50 between the towns of Granada and Holly at the Midwestern Farms gravel operation. This gravel pit pond is fairly deep (over 50 feet) and has shoreline access for anglers along the west side of the pond. Anglers can fish between the marked parking areas only.
DOW began stocking this water in 2008. The pond has been stocked with black crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, saugeye, wiper, yellow perch and rainbow trout. Since the pond is deep, trout have been able to survive throughout the summer in cool deep water. Trout fishing has been very popular, as well as fishing for large brood catfish and smallmouth bass that have been stocked.
Jackson's Pond (eight acres)<br />
This popular fishing area is located near the town of Eads. DOW began stocking Jackson's Pond in 2005. Efforts have been made to create a pond featuring largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and seasonally (spring and fall) stocked rainbow trout. Management efforts have included: unwanted species removal, stocking of forage species, aquatic weed control (grass carp), and supplemental feeding of fish. Some large brooder channel catfish and smallmouth bass were also stocked to improve fishing opportunity.
Holbrook Reservoir (675 acres)<br />
Current water management at Holbrook Reservoir involves a cycle of constant filling and draining of the lake. Fisheries management is very difficult under this scenario. In 2011, DOW stocking will introduce some channel catfish. This species should be tolerant of the constant changes. In addition, rainbow trout are stocked as conditions allow.
Upper Queens Reservoir and Timber Lake<br />
Upper Queens and Timber Lake are currently dry. These lakes will be restocked when conditions allow.
The complete version of Ramsay's report can be found on the internet at http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres...recast.pdf.
"Anglers are getting their gear out to go after crappie, bass, wipers, walleyes, catfish and other warmwater species," said Jim Ramsay, the Colorado Division of Wildlife aquatic biologist for the lower Arkansas River Basin. "Based on our sampling results and incremental stocking, anglers in the southeast part of the state should be in for a good season."
"This is the time of year we start seeing anglers on the local waterways," he said. "Warmer water temperatures make fish more active and catch rates should steadily improve as we move toward summer."
Ramsay said the Division has undertaken several projects to improving fishing in the region including repairs to the dam at Two Buttes Reservoir, which is dry at this time. The repairs will allow for increased water storage in the future.
On the plus side, the Division has obtained supplemental water to fill Turk's Pond and he expects good fishing conditions there.
Many of the reservoirs in the southeast corner of the state are supplied by irrigation companies, so water levels and fishing conditions vary throughout the region. Ramsay suggests anglers call the local office in Lamar to check specific conditions before heading out.
Here is an abbreviated summary of Ramsay's 2011 fishing forecast for the lower Arkansas basin.
Turks Pond (55 acres)
Located on the Turks Pond State Wildlife Area in Baca County near the town of Two Buttes. This winter, the DOW supplemented water from an existing well with additional water from a neighboring farm. The result is water levels high enough to resume boat launching from the ramp. Boaters are restricted to electric motors only.
Historically, Turks Pond has been a good crappie fishery, but declined to the point the DOW began additional stocking. Fishing for crappie is expected to still be somewhat slow in 2011. Wipers, largemouth bass and bluegill are present, and can be caught on traditional baits. In addition, catchable rainbow trout are stocked in spring and fall.
Night anglers are often more successful for catfish. Grass carp are stocked to control aquatic weeds. These fish grow to trophy size, but are difficult to catch. Some anglers specifically target them with flies and other small lures.
New regulations governing the use of live baitfish apply at Turks Pond in 2011. Live bait fish must be purchased from a licensed bait dealer (receipt required) or can be obtained from the pond itself. No live fish may be brought to Turks Pond from any other source. These regulations will help prevent the spread of disease and aquatic nuisance species.
Nee Noshe Reservoir (about 250 acres)<br />
Unfortunately, declining levels and poor water quality have taken their toll at this once proud fishery. Fall sampling revealed no fish. Fishery management will cease at Nee Noshe until the lake is refilled.
Nee Gronde Reservoir (1,200 acres)<br />
The waterfowl resting closure has been lifted at Nee Gronde Reservoir and it is open for recreational use. Surface use is limited to hand-launched vessels only. The ramps are unusable and the shoreline is inappropriate for trailer-launched vessels.
Nee Gronde had a large winter fish die-off during the 2009-2010 season. Efforts were made during the 2010 summer to re-stock and re-build this fishery, but the success of those efforts is unknown at this time.
John Martin Reservoir (currently about 3,800 acres)<br />
As an irrigation storage lake, fluctuating water levels continue to provide a rapidly changing lake environment. Fishing success rates were high at John Martin in 2010 for walleye, saugeye and white bass. Other species that provided good action included drum, catfish, smallmouth bass, and crappie.
Fishing in 2011 is again expected to be very good. The best fishing usually occurs during the spring months (mid April-June). The most abundant game fish species are walleye, saugeye, white bass, and channel catfish. Good numbers of crappie are available as well. John Martin has been a popular spring crappie-fishing destination for many years. Although anglers have not often caught large numbers of crappie the last couple of years, the fish harvested have typically been larger, with 14-inch fish being common. Crappie fishing is expected to be fair to good.
Boat inspections are required to prevent aquatic invasive species. Boat anglers should call John Martin State Park or view their website for details on the boat inspection schedule. Anglers can also contact John Martin Reservoir State Park or check the DOW fishing report on the internet for the latest fishing conditions.
Adobe Creek Reservoir (a.k.a. Blue Lake) (variable, 700 - 2,500 acres)<br />
Blue Lake is a popular catfishing destination. Two species of catfish inhabit Blue Lake; channel catfish and blue catfish. Both species can grow to large sizes. Anglers consistently catch these fish from shore, with many using large, surfcasting-type rods that can cast great distances. Popular baits include water dogs, large minnows, cut bait, crayfish, shrimp, dough bait, and worms.
Crappies have made a nice comeback at Blue Lake. Fall inventory sampling revealed that large numbers of fish in the 10-inch range are present. Anglers usually begin catching good numbers of crappie in late April to early May. Boat anglers tend to fish near the many submerged tamarisk trees or drift in shallow water areas. Shore anglers often prefer to fish near submerged tamarisk or in the outlet canal.
The saugeye population continues to thrive at Blue Lake, with very few anglers targeting this popular sport fish. All saugeye must be 15 inches or longer to keep, and many of the saugeye in the lake should be in this range for 2011. Blue Lake is very isolated and distant from most population hubs. Fishing pressure is low and good opportunities await anglers willing to travel to this out-of-the-way location.
Two Buttes Reservoir (Currently Dry)<br />
Two Buttes Reservoir straddles the Prowers-Baca county line on Two Buttes Creek. It once had a capacity of 41,000 acre-feet, but is restricted to less than 10,000 acre-feet by dam safety issues. Currently, the lake is dry. An engineering project is underway to repair the leaky head gates on the dam. Once completed, the dam will function properly to impound water collected from run-off events.
Meredith Reservoir (3,000 acres)<br />
The fishery at Meredith has improved dramatically since being drained and refilled in 2004. Through systematic stocking efforts, we have seen a shift to more desirable game fish species. A fish retention screening system was constructed in 2005. This structure allows the water releases but prevents fish loss.
Crappie fishing was good at Meredith in 2010. During peak crappie fishing periods, anglers tended to crowd the pier next to the ramp where many 10 inch or larger fish are taken. Efforts will be made in 2011 to create other crappie holding areas that can be easily accessed from shore. Boat anglers should try finding crappie around the many submerged tamarisk trees around the lake. Typically, crappies begin biting in mid-spring as lake temperatures warm into the mid-50s. Anglers use live minnows and small jigs (less than 1/8 ounce) to catch these fish.
Good populations of saugeye and wiper are available at Meredith. These fish can be caught in open water areas near schools of baitfish. Channel catfish is another species that is gaining popularity. All the typical catfish baits should be effective at Meredith.
Henry Lake (1,000 acres)<br />
Henry is a large shallow lake with average depths of less than seven feet. Irrigation water is stored in Henry and used throughout the summer. Crappie fishing should be fair to good in 2011. Anglers commonly catch these fish along the large rock levy that surrounds much of Henry Lake. The spring crappie bite typically begins in late April.
Large wipers are common in Henry. These fish are very strong, and provide plenty of fight when hooked. Anglers targeting wipers should try fishing with shiny casting lures, jigs, shad imitating plastics, or live bait. This year should be another good one for wipers, as they were well represented in our creel survey and inventory sample.
Thurston Reservoir (100 - 200 acres)<br />
Thurston remained relatively full throughout 2010. Current water deals are in progress that will hopefully ensure good water levels for the immediate future. Thurston has been stocked annually since 2006. Shore access is very limited at Thurston. Anglers should plan on wading, belly boating, or using small watercraft to fish Thurston.
Midwestern Farms Pond (35 acres)<br />
Midwestern Farms Pond is a 35-acre lake leased by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. It is located on Highway 50 between the towns of Granada and Holly at the Midwestern Farms gravel operation. This gravel pit pond is fairly deep (over 50 feet) and has shoreline access for anglers along the west side of the pond. Anglers can fish between the marked parking areas only.
DOW began stocking this water in 2008. The pond has been stocked with black crappie, channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, bluegill, saugeye, wiper, yellow perch and rainbow trout. Since the pond is deep, trout have been able to survive throughout the summer in cool deep water. Trout fishing has been very popular, as well as fishing for large brood catfish and smallmouth bass that have been stocked.
Jackson's Pond (eight acres)<br />
This popular fishing area is located near the town of Eads. DOW began stocking Jackson's Pond in 2005. Efforts have been made to create a pond featuring largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, and seasonally (spring and fall) stocked rainbow trout. Management efforts have included: unwanted species removal, stocking of forage species, aquatic weed control (grass carp), and supplemental feeding of fish. Some large brooder channel catfish and smallmouth bass were also stocked to improve fishing opportunity.
Holbrook Reservoir (675 acres)<br />
Current water management at Holbrook Reservoir involves a cycle of constant filling and draining of the lake. Fisheries management is very difficult under this scenario. In 2011, DOW stocking will introduce some channel catfish. This species should be tolerant of the constant changes. In addition, rainbow trout are stocked as conditions allow.
Upper Queens Reservoir and Timber Lake<br />
Upper Queens and Timber Lake are currently dry. These lakes will be restocked when conditions allow.
The complete version of Ramsay's report can be found on the internet at http://wildlife.state.co.us/NR/rdonlyres...recast.pdf.