Antero Reservoir, CO Fishing Report

This 2200 acre impoundment is located north of US Highway 24 between Antero Junction and the town of Hartsel. Currently, catch rates are spotty with the best action occurring in the morning hours. Rainbow trout are averaging 14-18" with an occasional larger fish being seen, with many fish in the five pound range. Brown trout, cutthroat trout, splake and brook trout are also present. Ice thickness ranges from twenty to twenty six inches.  For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, please contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region Service Center (303-291-7227), Hondo Arms (719-836-7235), or The Jefferson Market (719-839-2389).

This 2200 acre impoundment is located north of US Highway 24 between Antero Junction and the town of Hartsel. Currently, catch rates are good with a better bite occurring in the early morning hours. Rainbow trout are averaging 14-18" with an occasional larger fish being seen, with many fish in the five pound range. Brown trout, cutthroat trout, splake and brook trout are also present. Ice thickness ranges from eighteen to twenty four inches. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, please contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife Northeast Region Service Center (303-291-7227), Hondo Arms (719-836-7235), or The Jefferson Market (719-839-2389).

Colorado Ice Fishing Report: Ice Fishing is HOT!!! Ice fishing is here and the bites have been good to excellent for rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, kokanee salmon, and lake trout on Antero, Eleven Mile, Taylor, and Blue Mesa reservoirs! For the duration of ice fishing season, please follow our periodic reports @ Colorado Ice Fishing Reports and also check out our Facebook Page for live, on the water Colorado ice fishing conditions and reports!

Fish reporter Brian was out at Antero on Saturday, Sept. 29. Here's what he said about the trip: "We had four on board to launch about 2:30 p.m. and cruised to the weed lines on the south shore. We were into fish almost immediately drifting along the weeds and tossing lures right above them. The fish attack with vengeance but it does seem they are slightly less aggressive than earlier in the year when the water warmed and bugs were everywhere. We caught and released so many fish it didn't seem to matter about color selection, especially when cloud cover dulled the bright sunlight. The water has cooled somewhat but the fish continue to forage. One group of boaters professed to catching an eight pound rainbow the day before! It was cold camping and duck hunters were quick to launch and deploy their decoys the next morning. We were the last boat out on Saturday but by Sunday morning the lake had a fair amount of boaters out and about as we launched. The Southside was productive but we headed to the inlet and cast from boat to shore. We were rewarded with a mix of browns and cut bows, including a rod bender at about 22". I think several we hooked might have been larger but the fish instinctively head for the weeds and throw the lures from their eager mouths quickly, a quickset seems mandatory, and even the slightest slack seems to allow them to spit as they are hooked. In total we landed and released about 40 fish so I am going to give Antero a huge THUMBS UP as the season winds down. I declare get out there while you can and enjoy one of the finest fisheries in Colorado and many thanks to Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Denver Water for providing trophy waters for the brave hearts who trek to Antero in hopes that BIG WALLY is right around the bend and every cast is potential for trout some only dream about. I don't think there is rhyme or reason to the next catch and anything seems possible. I do find it a little weird that the trout tend to group in similar size schools and when you are into big fish the rest seem to fit the same profile. Maybe it is the feeding patterns as they swarm on smaller fish and engorge until moving on. Catch and release the big ones seems appropriate and my hope to keep the fishery a quality water despite open regulations that allow bait even though those folks seem to missing the fly and lure action.

Fishing has slowed at Antero as temperatures have increased. Anglers are reporting some catch of small to mid-sized trout. Morning and evening seems to be best. Heard from one angler who said a fly-and-bubble setup netted some trout from shore.

This 2200 acre impoundment is located north of US Highway 24 between Antero Junction and the town of Hartsel. Currently, catch rates are good with a better bite occurring in the morning hours. Rainbow trout are averaging 14-18”with an occasional larger fish being seen. Brown trout, cutthroat trout, splake and brook trout are also present. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, please contact the Division of Wildlife Northeast Region Service Center (303-291-7227), Hondo Arms (719-836-7235), or The Jefferson Market (719-839-2389).

Warm winter, but still lots of good ice fishing! Despite one of the warmest winters I can remember, we still have lots of safe ice on Antero, 11 Mile, and Blue Mesa reservoirs! Fishing has been good for rainbow trout, cutbows, and cutthroat trout on Antero and 11 mile, while Blue Mesa has been yielding good fishing for mackinaw lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, and the occasional salmon.

Currently, catch rates are moderate with a better bite occurring in the morning hours. Rainbow trout are averaging 14-18”with an occasional larger fish being seen. Brown trout, cutthroat trout, splake and brook trout are also present. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, please contact the Division of Wildlife Northeast Region Service Center (303-291-7227), Hondo Arms (719-836-7235), or The Jefferson Market (719-839-2389).

Ice conditions are improving but extra caution is advised. Currently, catch rates are moderate. Rainbow trout are averaging 14-18”with an occasional larger fish being seen. Brown trout, cutthroat trout, splake and brook trout are also present.

Denver Water's drawdown is complete and the level is down two feet. Weed growth has been significant. Fishing has been slow but should improve with cooler temperatures. Though an occasional large trout still is being taken, most are smaller than in the past few years. Operation of the south boat ramp has been reduced to Friday through Monday. The north ramp remains open seven days a week. Only small trailered boats, canoes and other small craft can access the south ramp. Boats of any size can use the north ramp. Boating hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The lake normally offers very good early season ice fishing. It is susceptible to winter kill, which could be more severe with the lowered water level.

Denver Water's drawdown is complete and the level is down two feet. The water is clearing. The temperature is about 61 degrees and weed growth is becoming significant. Fishing remains generally good. PowerBait and Gulp produce for bait fishermen; small Rapalas and HDs for spin-casters. Large sedges and damselflies produce for fly fishermen. Fishing tends to be better away from shore. Operation of the south boat ramp has been reduced to Friday through Monday. The north ramp remains open seven days a week. Only small trailered boats, canoes and other small craft can access the south ramp. Boats of any size can use the north ramp. Boating hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.

The drawdown phase is complete and the level is down two feet. The water is clearing. The temperature is about 61 degrees, and weed growth is becoming significant. Fishing remains generally good. PowerBait and Gulp produce for bait fishermen; small Rapalas and HDs for spin-casters. Large sedges and damselflies produce for fly fishermen. Fishing tends to be better away from shore. Operation of the south boat ramp has been reduced to Friday through Monday. The north ramp remains open seven days a week. Only small trailered boats, canoes and other small craft can access the south ramp. Boats of any size can use the north ramp. Boating hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset.