WHERE TO GO The Gunnison River provides excellent fly fishing with good chances for catching large trout. Created by Blue Mesa Dam, Blue Mesa Reservoir is 20 miles (32 km) long, has 96 miles (154 km) of shoreline, and is the largest Lake Trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States. Dying Kokanee 08.05.20 by braappn. To help fortify Blue Mesa’s overall kokanee population, biologists increased the number of kokanee fry released into the reservoir by about 500,000 for each of the past three years. Blue Mesa Reservoir, one of the top kokanee salmon fisheries in the U.S., has seen some ups and downs over the last decade with the last three years progressively getting … Created by Blue Mesa Dam, Blue Mesa Reservoir is 20 miles (32 km) long, has 96 miles (154 km) of shoreline, and is the largest Lake Trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States. A six-month-long Colorado fishing tournament with $10,000 in prize money sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife in currently ongoing at Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison in western Colorado through July 31, 2020.. Blue Mesa Reservoir - The Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest body of water. It is also the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the US and you can only be caught between November 1st and December 31st. Contact Blue Mesa Fishing today to Book or customize a Lake Fishing Trip with Captain Casey my Colorado fishing guide on Blue Mesa Reservoir. Research indicates that a large Lake Trout population in Blue Mesa Reservoir is decreasing Kokanee Salmon fishing and egg production. ... Blue Mesa Kokanee Flourishing...Come Snag Yours! "The habitat for these land-locked sockeye salmon is spot-on at Blue Mesa Reservoir," said Seth Firestone, hatchery manager at Roaring Judy. Don't miss this … Blue Mesa Reservoir serves as home to fish responsible for about 60 percent of the eggs needed for stocking kokanee at 26 lakes and reservoirs around the state. They’ve become harder to … “Blue Mesa is critical for our statewide kokanee program and the fishery is out of balance. This lake has one of the largest populations of Kokanee Salmon in the nation and Summer is the time to get ‘em. Will update report as ice progresses . Water managers are predicting that, thanks to the winter’s abundant snow fall, the reservoir will fill to 70%. Blue Mesa sits just a few miles west of Gunnison, Colorado, and is famous for the largest kokanee salmon population in the nation! Water managers are predicting that, thanks to the winter's abundant snow fall, the reservoir will fill to 70 percent. Blue Mesa Reservoir spans 20 miles and boasts over 96 … Of any reservoir in Colorado, Blue Mesa produces the largest number of kokanee eggs annually. The young kokanee move with the flowing water about three miles to the confluence of the Gunnison River; and then they travel another 20 miles into Blue Mesa Reservoir where they grow up. The tournament, which continues through July 31, is aimed at maintaining adequate kokanee fry survival by limiting predation from lake trout. The prime time for kokanee fishing … These eggs are essential for stocking kokanee in 26 waters throughout the state. -Colorado's Largest Reservoir, Blue Mesa has nearly 100 miles of shoreline and is over 20 miles long! Kokanee at Blue Mesa Reservoir are critically important for CPW’s fishery program statewide. Blue Mesa Reservoir continues to provide fishing opportunities for us that we are grateful for. The use of downriggers or lead core line to troll or vertical jigging with 1oz-2oz lead jigs as schools of four year olds prepare to run up the rivers in late summer are practically the only two ways to catch kokanee in the reservoirs. The tournament is aimed at maintaining adequate kokanee fry survival by limiting predation from lake trout. Blue Mesa Dam was completed in 1965, becoming the first large dam built along the Gunnison River. For the angler who wants action and maybe take some fish home these are great trips. The prime time for kokanee fishing is normally from mid-June to late-July. Otis C wrote a review Sep 2020. You can also find past Blue Mesa ice fishing reports by choosing the year you would like on the navigation bar to the left. A significant portion of the Blue River is private, and with the quality of fish that can be caught, the public access points tend to get a little over-fished. It also has amazing brown and rainbow trout fishing and is home to the last three Colorado state record Lake Trout. Then you end up with 20 boats trying to get on a 4 boat school. Ice fishing season is also a great time to get out and enjoy the lake with your family. Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado’s largest body of water. Trolling has been productive for us. Ask us about booking a Kokanee Salmon and trout fishing trip. The prime time for kokanee fishing is normally from mid-June to late-July. Elk Creek Marina Guided Fishing Services provide fishing trips on Blue Mesa Reservoir, the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the US, and for the more adventurous and very hearty there is Morrow Point Reservoir in the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, with Elk Creek Marina being the only motorized fishing guided outfitter on this reservoir. Trout fishing has slowed down a bit but we are still catching browns and rainbows in the top 25 feet and along edges and inlets. The Blue River. Salmon and Trout Sport and Fly Fishing Tours Ryan VanLanen fishing Guide; Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout on Blue Mesa reservoir and Morrow Point reservoir in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Sport Fish Colorado focuses on fishing for Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Northern Pike, Walleye, Yellow Perch and Trophy Lake Trout on the open lake waters of Blue Mesa, Antero, Taryall, Taylor, and McPhee reservoirs and can also accomodate trips on Spinney, 11 Mile, Pueblo, Harvey, and Rifle Gap reservoirs via our partners Fish Head Outdoors and Apex Sport Fishing! The kokanee population has been on a steady decline for the last decade. Kokanee salmon are still a challenge as they are scattered still throughout the lake. The Rainbow trout population has also been booming in the last few years, keeping anglers busy. Blue mesa fishing d lake and ice blue mesa reservoir gunnison fishing s ptoir hardware actus copernicus for blue mesa ice fishing conditions andTop Colorado … Ice fishing is permitted on the reservoir but all ice fishing shelters must be portable; the best area to ice fish is near Lola Basin. There is no quick fix.” Biologists estimate the reservoir’s kokanee population at 280,000, down from about than 1 million a decade ago. The daily bag limit for kokanee is five fish per day, and 10 fish in possession. The fall spawning season is the best time to fish for Kokanee with flies. 2 contributions. Blue Mesa Dam was completed in 1965, becoming the first large dam built along the Gunnison River. And as soon as a couple group up, the rest of the boats in the area smell blood and rush to get to the school. Blue Mesa Reservoir Chambers Lake Cheesman Reservoir Clear Creek Reservoir Dillon Reservoir Eleven Mile Reservoir ... Woldford fishing 08.10.20 by Maxman. Blue Mesa Reservoir Lake Trout Tournament; $10,000 in cash prizes. He is a great guide and an equaly wonderful person. Ice Fish Colorado: Ice Fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir - See 31 traveler reviews, 27 candid photos, and great deals for Gunnison, CO, at Tripadvisor. Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States. This early in season use extreme caution on for ice isn't consistent in thickness . Kokanee salmon have begun their annual spawning run from Blue Mesa Reservoir up the Gunnison River. ... We had a great time fishing with Robby on the Blue Mesa reservoir. The schools at Blue Mesa are generally big enough for a few boats. While many people fish for kokanee, a smaller but dedicated contingent search for lake trout at the reservoir. All reviews salmon blue mesa big ones great guide kokanee limit reservoir state bait camping adventure. Water conditions at Blue Mesa should be much better than last summer when the reservoir was drawn down to just 30 percent of full pool. GUNNISON – Kokanee salmon have begun their annual spawning run from Blue Mesa Reservoir up the Gunnison River. However, if you are really interested in catching Kokanee, the run out of Green Mountain Reservoir can be pretty epic. Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado’s largest body of water. In an annual ritual conducted to provide anglers with a unique sport-fishing opportunity, Colorado Parks and Wildlife sent 3.1 million kokanee fingerlings to Blue Mountain Reservoir on the evening of A six-month-long fishing tournament with $10,000 in prize money sponsored by Colorado Parks and Wildlife starts February 1, 2020, at Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison in western Colorado.. Blue Mesa Reservoir is home to the best Kokanee Salmon fishery in the state. Whether open water or through the ice, kokanee salmon have been a major component of the Blue Mesa Reservoir fishing scene. Water managers are predicting that, thanks to the winter’s abundant snow fall, the reservoir will fill to 70%. Blue Mesa Subscribe to Receive Fishing Report Updates Rating - Good Starting to get fishable ice at Stevens creek , Northwillow , and Iola . Without a doubt, the cool Summer months on Blue Mesa Reservoir are best for red-hot angling action! Water conditions at Blue Mesa should be much better than last summer when the reservoir was drawn down to just 30% of full pool. For more details on the tournament or to get more information on Blue Mesa Reservoir fisheries management, please contact CPW Aquatic Biologist Dan Brauch at dan.brauch@state.co.us or call 970-641-7070. Water conditions at Blue Mesa should be much better than last summer when the reservoir was drawn down to just 30% of full pool. 11.07.12 by Robby Richardson. Blue Mesa Reservoir provides excellent angling opportunities and supplies a large number of the eggs needed to supply hatcheries and sustain Kokanee populations in Blue Mesa, other reservoirs and lakes in the state. 5. Blue Mesa Ice Fishing Report-Here you can find current ice fishing reports and ice conditions for Blue Mesa reservoir near Gunnison, Crested Butte, and Montrose Colorado. 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