Your Best Spring Fishing in Colorado

With the days getting longer and Old Man Winter beginning to loosen his grip, it's time to trade your snow shoes and parka for your favorite graphite rod and Cast Master. By all accounts it should be another excellent fishing season across Colorado, and with more than 300 lakes and countless river and stream miles to explore, rod-bending possibilities are limitless.

March & April

As the waters warm, you can't help but scratch a few days out on the calendar for Colorado's Arkansas River. With over 150 fishable river miles and perhaps one of the best spring hatch the entire Rocky Mountain West has to offer, the Arkansas River should be on any angler's spring short list. Although typically starting weeks before its name sake, the famed Mother's Day caddis hatch draws scores of wading anglers to her warming spring waters, and if you hit it right, your line will be tested, as well as your composer as you witness huge numbers of brown trout smashing the river's surface. Twenty-plus trout days are not uncommon on this freestone river, and with countless public opportunities stretching from Canon City to Granite, you won't have a problem finding your own stretch of paradise.

Large #14 to #16 floating caddis flies are the norm, but it never hurts to also have an assortment of nymphs from which to choose.

April & May

As the action heats up on the Arkansas River, so does the main body of water the Arkansas River feeds down river. Offering anglers approximately 4,000 surface acres to roam, Pueblo Reservoir is quickly becoming one of Colorado's top walleye destinations. When April and May arrives, Pueblo's burgeoning walleye population migrate towards the backs of creeks and coves looking to spawn. Along the way, they aggressively feed, providing anglers high rod-bending catch rates.

The highest angler catch rates usually occur from May to early June on Pueblo; but for anglers seeking larger slabs, April and May tend to yield the best results. Larger walleye tend to migrate first so anglers should concentrate their efforts along creek channels in the middle and backs of coves, and on rocky points leading back to them. 1/4 to 1/2 ounce chartreuse and black grubs seem to get a look, as well as shad imitating crankbaits. Fishing for walleye at night can also be productive as they move even shallower.

Don't forget to share your best fishing photos with us on Camera Corner for your chance to win free gear!

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