Most of the lakes on the Mesa are frozen by around Thanksgiving. Other than that, most lakes around here are good to go by mid December. Blue Mesa and Ruedi don’t lock up in the good laker areas till Mid January though.
Where is the best ice fishing in Colorado?
- Chambers Lake. Nearest towns: Rustic, Walden.
- Eleven Mile Reservoir. Nearest towns: Hartsel, Fairplay, Lake George.
- Harvey Gap Reservoir. Nearest towns: Rifle, Glenwood Springs.
- Trinidad Lake State Park. Nearest town: Trinidad.
- Chatfield Reservoir.
- Crawford Reservoir.
Do they ice fish in Colorado?
In Colorado, the peak season for ice fishing is December through February. For many, ice fishing is not the winter activity that brings them to Colorado, but for those true anglers that are willing to put up with cold for that great catch, ice fishing in Colorado is a must!
When can you ice fish in Colorado?
There is no legal definition of ice fishing season. Rather, people begin to ice fish once the lakes freeze over with thick enough ice (CPW recommends ice being at least 4 inches thick). Colorado Parks and Wildlife also recommend that people always ice-fish with another person.
What kind of fish do you catch ice fishing in Colorado?
Trout, salmon, pike, lake trout and crappie can all be found under the hard ice of the surrounding reservoirs and lakes! We’ve put together our Colorado ice fishing guide so get ready, grab your gear and some warm clothes, and go let’s go ice fishing.
Can you ice fish at night in Colorado?
Guest. You can ice fish it at night. Your shelter has to be removed from the ice at night if you’re not fishing. But if you’re in there fishing you’re okay.
How thick is the ice at Granby?
As I type this (March 5, 2016), Lake Granby has ice that’s 18 inches thick with no slush. Trout are commonly fished here and some fisherman boast returns that are 32 inches long. Start by making a hole with your auger. Keep drilling until you break through and see water.
How long does ice fishing last in Colorado?
Ice fishing season typically starts in late December and lasts until mid-February, according to George Mingus, 34, a guide with Tumbling Trout. But what really matters is the thickness of the ice. As long as there are 4 inches, you’re good to go.
How much ice is safe for ice fishing?
Guidelines. With 4 inches of new, clear ice, an average-sized angler is generally safe to venture out on foot. Anything less than 4 inches is considered too risky. Many avid ice anglers look forward to first ice as the fish are often eager to bite.
Can you ice fish Horsetooth Reservoir?
There are a number of waters open to fishing when ice free, but closed to ice fishing. Prime examples are Carter, Pinewood, Flatiron and Horsetooth Reservoirs. Also, natural areas, such as Prospect Ponds and Pineridge (Dixon Reservoir), are closed to ice fishing.
What do I need to ice fish in Colorado?
- Bucket – A five-gallon plastic bucket is an ice fisher’s best friend.
- Ice auger – The manual type with a 6-inch blade is suitable for ice up to 20 inches thick.
- Rod & reel – Short rods are nice because they put you closer to your work, but some of the best ice fishers that I have met used standard rods.
How deep do you ice fish for trout?
Areas between 5 feet deep and 10 feet deep are generally best, but every lake is different. Ideally, the transition from the flat to deep water will be steep. If this occurs in 10 to 20 feet of water, so much the better. Rainbow trout will cruise these edges in search of food.
Can you fish in Colorado without a license?
The fine for fishing without a license in Colorado is $50. If you pay this fine, you are pleading guilty to the ticket. This can affect more than just your fishing trip: when you plead guilty to fishing without a license by paying the $50 fine, you are also accepting ten points on your license.
Are treble hooks legal in Colorado?
Treble hooks are legal in Colorado. The only regulation is on how many treble hooks can be used for trotlines, which is restricted to 3. Treble hooks are legal in Connecticut and are only prohibited when fishing for striped bass with live bait.
How thick should ice be for ice fishing?
Once you have the proper tools and safety gear for fishing on the ice, consider these general safe ice fishing, or safe ice thickness guidelines. Stay off of any ice that is 3 inches or less thick. Remember that a minimum of 4 inches of clear, solid ice is a requirement to support an average person’s weight.
Does Horsetooth reservoir freeze?
Because it typically doesn’t freeze, you can fish Horsetooth from shore, a kayak or float tube year round.
How thick should ice be to drive ATV on?
If you plan to snowmobile or ride an ATV on the ice, it should be 5-7 inches thick with new, clear ice. To drive a car or small pickup, there needs to be a minimum of 8 inches of new, clear ice, and a minimum of 12 inches is needed for a medium-sized truck.
How much ice do I need for a 3/4 ton truck?
2 ½ ton truck – 8 inches. 3 ½ ton truck – 9 inches. 7-8 ton truck – 10 inches. ATV/Snowmobile – 4 inches.
Is 3 inches of ice safe to walk on?
As a general rule of thumb, ice is safe to walk on when there is 4 inches or more of clear ice. It is important to understand that different types of ice varying in their strength. Clear blue or black ice is the strongest. This ice is formed from the lake water freezing.
Can you ice fish Lake Estes?
Sections of the Big Thompson run free in the winter and the east end of Lake Estes near the power plant remains ice-free during winter. Ice fishing is allowed on all open-fishing lakes and ponds in Rocky Mountain National Park; hand-augers are required. Plus, fly hatches occur into January and February.
Where is the best crappie fishing in Colorado?
However, they are plentiful in several lakes throughout the state including Adobe Creek Reservoir, Bonny Reservoir, Chatfield Reservoir, Cherry Creek Reservoir, Horsetooth Reservoir, Lathrop State Park, Navajo Reservoir, North Sterling Reservoir, Northglenn Lake, Pueblo Reservoir, Rifle Gap Reservoir and Sloan Lake.
How thick is the ice at Blue Mesa?
The ice is 10-13″ at the inlet and all of the new nice is 4-6″.
Is ice thicker in the middle of a lake?
Re: Is lake ice thicker in the middle or close to shore? Ice on the edge is limited to the depth of the water at the edge. So it is always thicker towards the middle.
How many pounds can 4 inches of ice hold?
Ice is not considered safe to walk on until it is at least 4 inches thick. At 4″ the ice is suitable for ice fishing, cross-country skiing and walking and can support about 200 pounds. At 5 inches of new clear ice should be enough to hold a single snowmobile or ATV or about 800 pounds.
Can you fish year round in Colorado?
Waters of Colorado are open to taking fish, amphibians, mollusks and crustaceans both day and night, year-round, except as otherwise provided in the Fishing Regulations Brochure.