Spring fishing on the Front Range
While there will still be plenty of ice fishing opportunities for weeks to come in the high country, many anglers are eager to fish in the open water. In spite of the recent cold snap, the receding ice on many Front Range Lakes is already providing a variety of open-water opportunities. Several waters, like Lon Hagler and Lonetree, are already open for boating, and many popular Front Range waters are slated to open their boat ramps March 1 (weather permitting).
Always check current conditions before you go. Weather patterns can change quickly this time of year. If you don’t own a boat, don’t despair. Much of the best fishing this time of the year is from shore.
Many Front Range waters are heavily stocked with trout in the fall to accommodate potential ice anglers and to give them a jump start in the spring. With the questionable ice conditions this year, many of these fish have not been harassed by anglers. They have been eating, putting on weight. The receding ice and warming water has them close to shore and biting aggressively. You don’t have to wait for the lake to be ice free. The fish will often migrate to a stretch of open water.
At times, I will cast across the open water, landing my lure or bait on the ice and slowly dragging it back into the water. This can be a tremendously effective presentation. I would go to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website and do some research on last fall’s stocking reports for the area you intend to fish. These lakes will provide the best trout fishing over the next few weeks.
The most exciting spring fishing on Colorado’s Front Range is the prespawn walleye bite. While this bite will not produce the consistent action of the trout fishing, it does provide a chance to catch big fish. Will Dykstra, of Tightline Outdoors, joined Brad Petersen on my radio show last Saturday to talk about walleye fishing. As the walleyes move in close to shore to feed, it can be an opportunity to land the largest walleye of the season or possibly your life.
It can also be a frustrating time. Weather has a huge effect on these fish during the next few weeks. On one day you might get only three bites, but they might all be trophy fish. The next outing or two may result in no action at all, to be followed by a 10-fish day but none over 20 inches. Fishing from shore, especially in low light periods, has traditionally produced many of the biggest fish. There has already been a 13-pound walleye caught from shore at Cherry Creek Reservoir this year.
Two of the most productive presentations for catching walleye are suspending jerkbaits and jigs rigged with a soft plastic. Dykstra said, “Most people fish the jerkbait too fast.” He went on to say if you think you are pausing the bait long enough, pause longer.
Fishing for big fish is not easy, but the rewards can be incredible. Colorado’s Front Range lakes produce some of the biggest walleye in the world. The state record, caught in the spring, was more than 18 pounds.