WEEKLY FISHING REPORT 02.26.26

IT’S ABOUT THE CATCHING

MARINA MARCH MADNESS MARCH 7 SIGN UP NOW

CURRENT CONDITIONS: Lake is 70% Ice Covered and coming off fast. The warm and windy conditions are doing a number on the ice. There are plenty of shore opportunities on the West end and plenty of ice opportunities today at least on the East end. Ice at Corral Cove was still 10 to 13 inches with access but it’s a daily jig. Early On Early Off if you are looking to hit the late ice. Ice Off is upon us. This is the best time of the year to catch trophy fish.

MARINA MARCH MADNESS/CONTEST UPDATE: Tournament is on regardless of conditions. This will be an EPIC contest. If you wanted to plan an Ice Off contest it would be near impossible to pick a date and win. It looks like this will be an historic event. Sign up online through March 4 NOW and fish from shore. Sure to be exciting and fun. Working on details now but it will be an all specie contest anywhere on the lake. The last time this happened you could choose to weigh in fish in essentially three different sets (contests). Weigh in was very difficult and time consuming, trying to find a happy place…stay tuned or find out when you show up. As we always say “IT’S MADNESS!!”

SUMMER OUTLOOK: The South Platte River Basin is at 42% of average the lowest recorded in 50 years. That certainly raises concerns for many reasons. Spinney was closed early to boating due to low water levels and the City of Aurora is already saying it’s doubtful Spinney will be open for boating at all this Season. Eleven Mile is one of Denver Water’s emergency impoundments and doesn’t fluctuate much unless it’s an emergency. The Haymen Fire (2002) was it’s last emergency when Antero was drained completely and Eleven Mile was dropped 23 vertical feet. The boat ramp was only designed for a five foot drop. The GOOD news is during that time Denver Water extended the ramp to where the lake was at a 23 foot drop. No one wants to see that but just in case we can still be boating. Because Antero is so shallow and loses huge water to evaporation it is likely they would drain it before they hit up Eleven Mile. When it comes to water in Colorado, recreation use takes a back seat.

BOAT RENTAL RESERVATIONS: Now available online. We have not decided on rate increases yet. Trying to hold off. We are going to modify our High Season Rates dating from all of July to June 15 through August 15. If you are interested in those June or August dates that dating has not been modified online reservations yet so you can book now and save on those dates and rates.

HOURS: Friday - Monday 8:00AM to 4:00PM Saturday open at 7:00AM If we are here working Tuesday - Thursday we will be open also.

PARK OPEN 24/7/365

WATER FLOW: 46.4 CFS IN 58.8 CFS OUT

WATER TEMP: cold

ELEVEN MILE STATE PARK IS IN THE SOUTH PARK NATIONAL HERITAGE AREA

TROUT: GOOD: Cutthroats, Cuttbows and Browns all were on the ice this past weekend as a grand finally for a short and bittersweet ice season was in play. Now it’s on to Ice Off trophy catching time. Every bait works at ice off. Flies, lures, jigs , and baits of all kinds are on their menu. Dress appropriately because it may not be ice on but when the wind blows it will certainly feel like it.

SALMON: FAIR TO GOOD: The pic above was a great cap to a short ice season for three lucky anglers. They were straight out from Marina in 64 feet of water down 40-45 feet. For those diehard Salmon hunters a limit is always your goal. Legal limit is 10 fish. They only live 4 years so it is meant to be a fish for eating and feeding the family. Fill the smoker up and enjoy. Chances of getting out there this weekend are very slim.

NORTHERN PIKE: EXCELLENT: People were hootin and hollerin last weekend as the Pike bite was a full on Pike-A-Thon. Lots of great fish of all sizes caught mostly on water dogs. YUM YUM eat em up eat em up.

ROAD: GOOD: They have chip and sealed the road from Lake George to CR/92 then dirt for about 2 miles then chip and seal to the General Store. The 2 miles of loose dirt and gravel is getting wash boarded and in POOR condition but still a small section of the 10 mile ride in.

CR92/59 to 23: FAIR TO POOR : The no chip and seal 2 mile section from 90/92 turn to 92 has seen better days.

PIC # 1: Pic taken right out our backdoor on Tuesday by Jamie Johnston. She and her husband are annual slip renters. As a hobby she is one heck of a wildlife photographer.

PIC # 2: Carter’s first Pike. Pic courtesy of Tyler Elwell who grew up fishing the Mile with his Dad and years back worked for the Marina. Now he is a Colorado Springs Police Officer/Investigator and is following his Dad’s lead getting Carter into fishing and catching!

PIC # 3: Did not get this boy’s name but he was part of the lucky group that scored in pic below him.

PIC # 4: A great day Kokanee catching that are far and few between these days. Reported this strong action on Swedish Pimples tipped with Pink Gulp Flamingo Maggots.

PIC # 5: Marina Staffer, Steve, reports the river flow is low but the catching is good! Don’t have to be a fly angler to score at the Dream Stream. Caught on Sierra Slammer Wonderbread tube jig.

PIC # 6: Last weekend saw hardwater anglers getting into fish like this.

PIC # 7: For some fun Jamie went a little AI on us with Mr. Eagle from the Olympics. USA USA!

SPECIAL NOTE: 11 Mile Marina is located at the North Shore in Eleven Mile State Park, Lake George Colorado. A CPW Park Pass is required on all vehicles entering the Park. Any fees for Guide/Outfitter/Rental services do not include Park fees, CO fishing license or gratuities.

The WEEKLY FISHING REPORT is produced by fishermen for fishermen. We try to get it done every Thursday but some times fishing or life gets in the way. So if its not there on Thursday morning it will show up by Friday. We appreciate all the support and acknowledge that many of you won't miss a week but every now and then we might. CLICK SUPPORT THE REPORT TO HELP OUT Be Safe. Fish On!

Please direct any questions, comments, PICS or inquiries to elevenmile@hotmail.com

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