East Fork of the San Juan – The lower stretch of the East Fork offers good fishing for rainbow and brown trout, while its wild upper reaches are more akin to brook trout and native Colorado River Cutthroats.  To get there, travel approximately 10 miles northeast of Pagosa Springs on U.S. 160.

West Fork of the San Juan
Aside from good rainbow and cutthroat trout fishing, the West Fork offers incredible scenery. A left turn off of U.S. 160, 17 miles east of Pagosa Springs, affords easy access to water through public and private lands. The best fishing is in the forest beyond the trailhead at the end of the road.

Piedra River
Easily accessible from Piedra Road (County Road 600).  Hike along the Piedra River Trail to access great river fishing.

The post Fall Fishing is Incredible in Pagosa appeared first on Pagosa Springs Colorado.

Photos from Echo Lake

Echo Canyon Reservoir: This 118 acre reservoir is a State Wildlife Area located a few miles south of Pagosa Springs on US 84. Echo Lake is typically a good lake for rainbow trout and large yellow perch. Ice conditions are good and anglers are reporting fair success for trout and perch on wax worm tipped jigs. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Beaver Creek Reservoir: This 114 acre reservoir is a State Wildlife Area near South Fork. There is vehicle access to the parking lot near the boat ramp. Anglers should expect to catch rainbow trout from 10-16 inches and brown trout and kokanee salmon from 10-14 inches. Due to dam inspections, the water level will remain 10-20’ below the high water mark for the foreseeable future. Anglers should take caution on steep slopes approaching the water. Anglers have have been successful for rainbows and kokanee up to 14” near the inlet area. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Big Meadows Reservoir: This 114 acre reservoir is a State Wildlife Area southwest of South Fork. From Highway 160, access along Forest Road 410 (two miles) is typically accessed by snowmobile, skis or snowshoes. The logging operations that have kept the road open and plowed are winding down.  Consequently, vehicle access will become limited over the next few weeks. Anglers have reported very good action using various types of jigs tipped with meal worms and earthworms. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Lemon Reservoir: Located approximately 15 miles northeast of Durango. There is still open water due to unusually warm weather.  Ice conditions around shorelines are marginal at best.  No reports of angling.  For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Trujillo Meadows Reservoir: This 69 acre lake is a State Wildlife Area located 40 miles west of Antonito. Access is by snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes. Anglers can expect to catch brown trout and rainbow trout. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Vallecito Reservoir: This 2,700 acre reservoir is located NE of Durango. Approximately 30% of the reservoir is still ice free.  Poor ice conditions around margins of lake. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Williams Creek Reservoir: Williams Creek Reservoir is covered with about 9 inches of ice. Williams Creek is generally good for brook, rainbow and cuttbow trout and the occasional kokanee salmon on jigs baited with mealworms, but recent reports suggest “hot” and “cold” fishing success. Please note that snowmobiles are allowed only as an aid to ice fishing and not for recreational use on the lake. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).
 

The post Ice Fishing Pagosa Country appeared first on Pagosa Springs Colorado.

John Gosselink (John from Texas) with big bass caught on Lake Pagosa

John Gosselink (John from Texas on the docks) and George Saltsman spend their summers in Pagosa Springs. Both fish most days and John decided in August when the water temperature was so hot to start Bass fishing.

Most visitors to Pagosa are interested in catching the beautiful Rainbow Trout that are stocked in the lakes and rivers in the area and not very interested in Bass. John has fished all his life for Bass in Texas and tried some of his old techniques. He started using a Strike King, 3/8oz Sexy Shad, shallow running crank bait and low and behold started catching some huge bass to seven pounds. Picture attached. John’s friend Jeff Manafo, a permanent resident of Pagosa (known as the “Master Netter”), helped by netting both of the large fish John caught this year.

Fishing pals

Jeff, John and George were all fishing together on Tuesday, 09/13/2011 over on Pagosa Lake when George decided to try one of John’s Strike King lures. After several casts, George had a nice Bass take his bait. The Bass headed straight for the dock, got tangled up in the anchor chain and broke the line.

Jeff didn’t give up at that moment and was looking down at the chain and saw the lure. After further investigation, he discovered the fish was still hooked on the lure. He immediately jumped into action, reached down to try and get the fish, yelled for the net, tried to get the hook loose from the chain and finally with all three fishermen standing on their heads trying to catch the fish, Jeff got the fish in the net and retrieved the fish and the lure.

Yes, it takes at least two Texans and one Pagosa local to land a Bass on Lake Pagosa

The post Bass Action On Pagosa Lake Dock appeared first on Pagosa Springs Colorado.

It was like a day at the beach. Sunny skies against the bright white snow made for a fantastic yellow perch fishing tournament last Saturday at Hatcher Lake in the Pagosa Lakes area west of town. With the perfect weather, all that was needed was for the perch to be hungry– and hungry they were. Around 115 anglers including me, women and children from all over the community brought their augers and fishing rods for a shot at more than $700 in prize money.

Contest categories included largest perch and largest quantity of perch. Prizes were awarded for first, second and third place in each category. The entry fees for individuals 16 and over was $7. Kids under the age of 16 fished for free. With the huge overpopulation of perch in the Pagosa Lakes, PLPOA Property and Environment Manager Larry Lynch and tournament organizers have found a way to decrease the species, allowing the more sought after trout and bass numbers to increase.

The winner in the most perch caught category was Doug Burkholder with 180 perch; second place went to Ron Geers with 175 perch and third place went to Steve Paradill with 169 perch. In the largest by weight category, Joe Rivas Sr. took first place; second and third place was a tie between Gary Rowe and Don Tweet. First place winners received $150, second place $100 and third place winners received $50.

Winners in the kids’ categories received ice fishing rods, reels and other fishing-related tackle. In the 12 to 16 year old age group, the winners were Chris Moody with 61 perch, Brad Gore with 9 perch and Nicole Vincin with 8 perch. In the 11 and under category the winner were Ethan Brown with 28 perch, Dillon Martinez with 21 perch and the tie for third place went to Carter Walsh and Zach Brown with 17 perch apiece.

If you didn’t make the tournament this Saturday you’re in luck. There will be another ice fishing tournament on Lake Pagosa Saturday February 12 from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM. Discounted $5 entry tickets can be purchased in advance at the PLPOA administration office, the Pagosa Lakes Recreation Center, Ponderosa Do It Best and the Chamber of Commerce. Registration on the day of the contest will be $7. There’s no entry fee for kids 16 and younger. So break out your short rod, auger and lunch for some great family fun.

The post Lake Hatcher Ice Fishing Tournament appeared first on Pagosa Springs Colorado.