A great day with Tightline Outdoors. photo courtesy R.Sweatland

WATER FLOW:  IN: 36.7  CFS     OUT: 53.3  CFS

WATER TEMPERATURE: 48

CURRENT CONDITIONS: The weather has improved significantly with recent beautiful mornings and early afternoons followed by late day showers closing with a spectacular sunset just like the old days before the last few years of drought. Not much in the way of run off melting yet. Spinney Reservoir is rising with 101 CFS In and 36.7 CFS Out. With that flow the Dream dream is more like the Dry Stream. Kevin Tobey, Park Manager says the boat ramp at Spinney is still not usable. They based their decision to not open to boating on the same snow pack data at the time when Denver Water said they would drain Antero. Hopefully there will be enough water and the status of things change. All Park facilities are open except for the Witchers Cove boat ram.

MARINA STORE HOURS MAY 1 – SEPTEMBER 15:  7:00AM – 7:00PM: We finally executed our new contract with the State in November. Last summer in anticipation of the new deal we put in a new building and store. We are just finishing up a remodel which we didn’t have a chance to do last season. Stop by and check it out. We will also be adding a lake side deck so you can hang out and watch the fun at the public boat dock or enjoy the fantastic panoramic view served with a Blue Bunny ice cream. We maintain a great selection of the best Eleven Mile baits, tackle, camping, boating and more.

TROUT:  GOOD TO VERY GOOD: Lots of big fish caught last week from boat or shore. It is still hit and miss with great days followed by a slow one. West end is very productive but anglers find success all around the lake. Lots of stockers in the 12 to 14 inch class being caught on the troll. Plenty of big fish netted over five pounds by lots of anglers.

KOKANEE: FAIR TO GOOD: The surprise this season early on is how many folks are landing salmon. Fish running 14 to 17 inches with some anglers netting 5 or 6 or more. The last few years has been nothing but disappointing out of the boat. Maybe the great ice fishing season will carry over. Fish are shallow early and deeper in the afternoon. Unlikely spots seeing fish  like in front of Rocking Chair and Lazy Boy have done well early in the day. The channel from North Shore to Duck Island and further to Deer Island holding good groupings. Downrigger with a Dodger or Sling Blade. A variety of lures  work off of that with about a three or four foot leader.  Stop in for information on the lure of the day for Kokanee.   

NORTHERN PIKE: POOR: A few small ones here and there but no real size yet. The Spring spawn should start soon. Most fish under 30 inches.

HALF PRICE WATERCRAFT: ALL MOTORIZED BOATS ARE 50% OFF MONDAYS IN MAY AND JUNE. RESERVATIONS AND PREPAYMENT REQUIRED. HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED. RESERVATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

NO NAME FISHING TOURNAMENT MAY 18-19 CONTACT JIM COLLINS 719-748-3424

Released 20 kept one for dinner

WATER FLOW:  IN: 54.7  CFS     OUT: 53.3  CFS

WATER TEMPERATURE: 47

CURRENT CONDITIONS: Although the lake has been open for boating since last Tuesday conditions have made it difficult to put any significant time on the boat. When there is no wind there is snow or rain. North Shore boat ramp open daily. One things for sure its been six weeks of crappy weather. It is still snowing as of this report. Good news is water and the roads are clear because it melts off quickly. Lake level has stabilized and should be coming up soon. The run off still has not started and it is still accumulating in the high country.

MARINA STORE HOURS MAY 1 – SEPTEMBER 15:  7:00AM – 7:00PM: We finally executed our new contract with the State in November. Last summer in anticipation of the new deal we put in a new building and store. We are just finishing up a remodel which we didn’t have a chance to do last season. Stop by and check it out. Great selection of the best Eleven Mile baits, tackle, camping, boating and more.

TROUT:  GOOD: It has been hit or miss and mostly miss for boaters. A few have done well. Water temperature a factor. Shore anglers continue to do really good with some reporting their best days ever. The little boat cove at North Shore traditionally is great this time of year and this year is no exception. Night anglers seeing fast and furious action before 10:00PM and then again between 1:00 AM and 2:00AM. Lots of Cutthroats and some big ones with most running 15 to 18 inches. Large Large Rainbows and Cuttbows with many over 5 pounds. Lousy weather should prolong shoreline action until the water warms. Fly anglers having a field day with scuds, woolly buggers and egg patterns. Spin Cast go to fly and bubble when the tube jig slows. Bait anglers love the salmon peach Power Bait and or a night crawler and a marshmallow.

KOKANEE: FAIR TO POOR: A few lucky boaters or perhaps they are really dialed in caught a few big ones. North Shore to Duck Island. Try a Dodger or Sling Blade three foot leader with a Shasta Wiggle Hoochie. Some put a single kernel of corn on one hook. Troll the down rigger 25 to 35 feet in the channel and take some turns. They hit it on the drop.

NORTHERN PIKE: POOR: A few small ones here and there but no real size yet. The Spring spawn should start soon.

HALF PRICE WATERCRAFT: ALL MOTORIZED BOATS ARE 50% OFF MONDAYS IN MAY AND JUNE. RESERVATIONS AND PREPAYMENT REQUIRED. HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED. RESERVATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

NO NAME FISHING TOURNAMENT MAY 18-19 CONTACT JIM COLLINS 719-748-3424

Lake opens for boating

of course these two don’t mind the snowing and blowing

WATER FLOW:  IN: 73  CFS     OUT: 95.7  CFS

CURRENT CONDITIONS: The lake opened for boating on Tuesday. It blew pretty hard and the two boats that gave it a go didn’t last long. Yesterday saw more of that miracle Spring snow. With the snow pack still increasing and run off yet to start the level of the lake which has dropped almost three feet in the last month should return to full soon. All fishing access areas are open. North Shore boat ramp open. Witchers Cove boat ramp closed.  Weather has prevented us from getting any of our equipment in the water yet.

MARINA STORE HOURS MAY 1 – SEPTEMBER 15:  7:00AM – 7:00PM: We finally executed our new contract with the State in November. Last summer in anticipation of the new deal we put in a new building and store. We are just finishing up a remodel which we didn’t have a chance to do last season. Stop by and check it out. Great selection of the best Eleven Mile baits, tackle, camping, boating and more.

TROUT:  GOOD: No reports from boating yet since no one really has had a chance to get out given the weather. Look to this weekend for a good opportunity. Shore anglers have also had a hard time with wind conditions.  Action around the lake still good with Sucker Cove, Rocky Flats and North Shore still showing consistency. Change up baits frequently. Many rely on the marshmallow and a night crawler combo for the big ones. Fly anglers like the egg patterns and woolly buggers and the spin crowd loves the tube jig and Kastmaster.

KOKANEE: NO  REPORT

NORTHERN PIKE: We have not caught any yet nor have we heard from any one else but you can be sure there are monsters on the prowl in shallow water.

HALF PRICE WATERCRAFT: ALL MOTORIZED BOATS ARE 50% OFF MONDAYS IN MAY AND JUNE. RESERVATIONS AND PREPAYMENT REQUIRED. HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED. RESERVATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

NO NAME FISHING TOURNAMENT MAY 18-19 CONTACT JIM COLLINS 719-748-3424

Trophy season is right now. photo courtesy B.Lofgren

ICE OFF ICE OFF ICE OFF: Eleven Mile Reservoir will open for boating April 30 half hour before sunrise. Yippy I O Kayae  !

WATER FLOW:  IN: 71.6  CFS     OUT: 95.7  CFS   Water level dropping slowly at this rate getting ready for Spring runoff.

CURRENT CONDITIONS: It  was a cold week with some wind but not enough to clear the lake of all the ice which is 98% open water. As soon as CPW gives the word about opening the  lake to boating we will post. We think it will be very soon. Stay tuned. All fishing access areas are open. Recent snow has melted already. STOP WISHING AND GO FISHING!!

MARINA STORE HOURS:  APRIL: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 8:00AM – 3:00PM

MAY 1 – SEPTEMBER 15:  7:00AM – 7:00PM

TROUT: VERY GOOD: Lots of big fish caught this past week. Rainbows, Cutthroats, Cuttbows and an occasional Brown with many over 5 pounds. Your favorite shore line area is waiting. Look to Suckers Cove, Rocky Flats and North Shore as hot spots. The bite is sporadic. You can see one early AM then it turns off and picks up again later in the day with sundown being lots of fun. As the water warms the bite can be different times of the day. Flies and tube jigs hitting the big ones. Bait anglers seeing lots of fish 16 to 18 inches. Stop in this weekend for the latest update  because in the Spring things change often.

KOKANEE: NO  REPORT

NORTHERN PIKE: We have not caught any yet nor have we heard from any one else but you can be sure there are monsters on the prowl in shallow water.

HALF PRICE WATERCRAFT: ALL MOTORIZED BOATS ARE 50% OFF MONDAYS IN MAY AND JUNE. RESERVATIONS AND PREPAYMENT REQUIRED. HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED. RESERVATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

GOOD NEWS: News outlets are reporting Denver Water has reversed its decision to drain Antero. Nothing like a little miracle in April snow to save the day. People were telling us how busy we were going to be with Antero gone. We were not happy.  It was horrible news for Park County and even worse for the fish at Eleven Mile. In 2002 when they drained it last the pressure on our lake was huge. Its bad enough that Spinney will be closed to boating and we have not heard of any changes on that.

Gotta love that North Shore boat cove. photo courtesy J. Garcia

WATER FLOW:  IN: 34.3   CFS     OUT: 94.6  CFS   Water level dropping slowly at this rate.

CURRENT CONDITIONS: The lake is about 20% ice covered. The strong winds this past week tore the ice up even with cold temperatures. The ice remaining moves with the wind direction and can get pushed violently on shore,  but most shoreline areas are open.  The above pictures were taken mid day on 04.17. The wind shifted and by sun down there was no ice in the same areas. We would expect the lake to be open for boating soon.  Will post as soon as we get the word. We received very little snow accumulation out of the storm activity,  not more than three inches. When CPW opens the lake for boating it will be at North Shore only. Witchers Cove boat ramp opens closer to Memorial Holiday.

MARINA STORE HOURS:  APRIL: SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 8:00AM – 3:00PM

MAY 1 – SEPTEMBER 15:  7:00AM – 7:00PM

TROUT: NO REPORT: The weather has been cold and super windy since Sunday. Just about un fishable. The weekend looks good for a change.

KOKANEE: NO  REPORT

NORTHERN PIKE: NO  REPORT.

HALF PRICE WATERCRAFT: ALL MOTORIZED BOATS ARE 50% OFF MONDAYS IN MAY AND JUNE. RESERVATIONS AND PREPAYMENT REQUIRED. HOLIDAYS EXCLUDED. RESERVATIONS NOW BEING ACCEPTED

The recent storms have increased the snow pack in the South Platte drainage significantly and that is good news.