CPW Hosts Special Tournament for Catching Northern Pike
Trevor Phipps
Now that Antero Reservoir is officially drained, there is one less fishing option in the greater Ute Pass region.
But even though there is one less local fishing hole for anglers, the release of the water from Antero has changed the fishing landscape downstream in good ways.
Several fishermen had great luck in the final days of Antero with many pulling out monster fish. Now that the lake is closed, the water has helped fishing in reservoirs like Spinney, 11 Mile, and Cheesman. The increase of water flowing downstream has increased the flows in several sections in the South Platte River.
Overall, fishing has been off and on depending on where you go and which day. On the Friday before Memorial Day weekend, one fisherman said he caught (and released) 16 fish that morning. But later in the weekend, other anglers didn’t report having as much luck.
The flows heading through Deckers have been higher with Cheesman Reservoir filling up to an 85 percent level. But the levels are still low for this time of year, and the fishing has been technical.
The good news is that the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Division’s (CPW) fish stocking season has kicked into full gear. CPW started filling the state’s reservoirs and ponds up on May 1.
Locally, Manitou Reservoir north of Woodland Park was stocked on May 1 and May 15. The Green Mountain Falls Lake also got its fill of fish on May 1 and May 29. Tarryall Reservoir got its annual stocking on May 15.,
Other local lakes all seem to be a hit or miss, depending on what you’re fishing for and the day you go out. According to Angler’s Covey, the fishing has been the best in the South Platte River directly downstream from Antero including 11 Mile Canyon and the Dream Stream.
“They won’t last forever, so get out there and enjoy it!” The Angler’s Covey website reports. “These higher flows have really spread the fish out and they are occupying all parts of the river. The fish are happy and there are ample opportunities all throughout the canyon. These flows have also helped ‘scrub’ the river a bit. Along with the standard hatching insects, it’s a good idea to add some larger food sources into the mix right now. Stones, caddis, scuds, worms, leaches, cranefly larva, etc.”
The fishing has been a hit or miss at Spinney and 11 Mile Reservoirs as most websites report a large increase in boat traffic after the closure of Antero. Shore fishing is possible in the right spots, but everyone is having better luck getting out on some type of watercraft.
According to the 11 Mile Marina website the annual May bug hatch has kicked into full force, but the trout fishing has only been rated “fair.” “Slower action will pick up again when the hatch is on the wane,” the 11 Mile Marina website reports. “Shore anglers working crawler/mallows and Power and Fire Bait off the bottom doing well.”
CPW Offers Special Tournament to Help Trout Population
According to a press release issued by CPW, they have noticed that the population of Northern Pike in Spinney Mountain State Park has been on the rise for the past several years. As a result, Spinney Reservoir’s trout population has suffered. Further, experts have seen a lack of trout in certain age classes.
Therefore, CPW has launched a monthly Pike fishing tournament every month from June 1 to September 30. Participants must register with the Fishing Chaos app and only Pike caught from Spinney will be eligible for tournament prizes.
“Spinney Mountain Reservoir is a destination trout fishery, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s primary management goal is to provide trophy trout for anglers,” said CPW Northeast Region Senior Aquatic Biologist Kyle Battige in the press release. “However, our recent sampling efforts have shown more northern pike and fewer trout. Anglers can help achieve a better balance at Spinney by participating in these tournaments. We are not looking to eradicate northern pike. We are hoping to remove smaller pike to reduce the overall population and, therefore, improve the trout fishery while maintaining quality opportunities for pike.”
The tournament will consist of three categories where anglers can win prizes each month: Most Points, Youth Angler, and Mystery Prize. “A points system will be used for the Most Points category,” the CPW press release stated. “Northern pike 32 inches and under are worth three points. Pike measuring longer than 32 inches is worth one point. First prize for Most Points Adult Angler will be $500, second place will be $250, and third will be awarded $150. Two Mystery Prize winners will be chosen monthly. Winners will be notified within two weeks after the category has closed.”
