Denver Metro Hardwater

[ShouldaBen]

Thanks John 19 for the Cherry Creek report. Anyone else out there been on the thin ice cap? I'm hoping that the recent cool snap is enough to support a guy, an auger, a bucket of minnows, a friend and about thirty feet of rope. Crappies by the dam?
How about Chatfield? Any local Walleye reports?
I'll let you know whether the Crappies are hitting or if the breast stroke was the best way to get back to shore...

[John19]

Hey-no problem. I think a buddy and I are going to give it a try Sat night and Sunday morning, maybe we'll see you there. I think I may bring my belly-boat just in case! Haven't heard anything about Chatfield.

[Guest]

I saw two guys out on Lake Loveland today but even if the fish were biting I would not have gone out on that ice. It is almost gone and is showing signs of spring rot.
Has anybody gone up to Glendo. Surely its colder up there.

[Guest]

Anybody that fishes or has thoughts of fishing a front range lake at this date has a good chance of takin up a 2 in. spot in the Rocky Mtn. News.There are plenty of safe places at higher elevations.

Good fishin & be safe

[This message has been edited by ice cube (edited 01-17-2003).]

[ShouldaBen]

You're right Ice Cube. I wouldn't venture out on the ice if I don't see either a few folks there already or solid (pardon the pun) evidence of past fishing holes.

[Guest]

You are absolutely right, the only problem is that the high lakes have nothing but stupid trout in them and I would personally trade 25 trout for just one sweet tasting crappie. Guess I may have to go over to Crawford and catch some perch.

[ShouldaBen]

Pescador- I went to Cherry Creek as planned and caught lots of big Crappies as planned. The ice was about 3 inches where we fished, which was about 40 feet from the spillway. We did better much better than the guys standing next to the spillway on about 1.5 to 2 inches of ice. It was really something to watch these guys. Some were fishing standing on ladders! When enough of them got on the thin ice the whole slab started to sink down about 6 inches. To watch their iced crappies come back to life and swim around in 6 inches of water was quite funny. It's quite a group of diehards out there and it was really fun, just with the added excitement of watching these crazy people fish. I would not recommend Cherry Creek until the next couple of nights of below freezing temps. The report there though is that they have been fishing on that ice for 3 weeks now. I had minnows and that did much better than the plain jigs most were using.

[Guest]

Boy, I am sorry I missed that show. Sounds like good footage for Americas Funniest Home Video. Glad you found some ice. I wish we would have that cold snap, I went and looked at Horshoe, Boyd, and Loveland yesterday and they look like March except for the fact that we have no water. Oh well, guess it's off to Kansas for slabs in the next few weeks if it stays like this.

[Jim Bob]

Pescador, where abouts do you fish in Kansas? We're planning a trip to Sebelius once the bird hunting season ends out there.

[Guest]

Well, normally I don't fish Kansas but it looks kinda bleak this year in Colorado so I am going to explore and see what I can find. I also like the idea of a larger limit there. I admit to being a catch and release them into my freezer. I always catch and release trout, but that keeps my membership in Sierra Club active.
I want to try Sebelius, it is considered the best for black crappie and pretty good for whites.
If you want some real up to date info go to http://www.kdwp.state.ks.us They have current fishing reports (Colorado are you listening) and forecasts that are really up to date.

[John19]

I was at Cherry Creek Subnday morning and that "LADDER" story is already famous. I wish I was there to see it. We got off the ice @ 10:30, it was getting kinda scary.I really didn't feel like swimming in January. As we left, we had to cross an inch crack, I bet those boys were floating by noon!!! We did catch some nice crappie and perch though, but with this warm weather there won,t be much action by the dam for awhile. They say that people were catching some eyes & cats at night, across the other side. i guess guys from the walleye club have been hitting that. Anyone hear anying about Chatfield?

[ShouldaBen]

Anyone fish Cherry Creek or Chatfield this week? I'm looking for ice and fish reports...

[bry c]

I drive by Chatfield every day and see guys out there every afternoon, but the ice has definately receded the last week or so. I have not been out there. Denver FD has been practicing thin ice rescue on a small pond off 1-25 and Lincoln so they are ready if you choose Cherry Creek

[Guest]

Just talked to a guy at the Sportsman Expo from Valentine Nebraska and he says this last cold snap that they had really put the ice on Merrit. So will probably have to head up there and keep those crappie from overpopulating. will report when we go.

[ShouldaBen]

Anyone been out to or driven by Chatfield or Cherry Creek late this week? Just wondering if the cold snap has put the hat back on Cherry Creek..

[Guest]

I live near Chatfield and the ice is breaking up rather quickly. I haven't seen anyone on the ice this week. I'm guessing there's only an inch or two of ice.

[John19]

With all the cold weather lately, anyone been or heard of anything happening at the metro big three : Chatfield,Cherry Creek or Aurora.

[ShouldaBen]

I went to Chatfield (hereafter and always - The Dead Sea) again on Sunday. I fished for Walleyes in 35-50 feet of water in the afternoon and evening and got 1 bite. I did see one guy haul in a 6 inch perch. I have never had any luck there in the winter. Has anyone else? I talked to a group of guys in fishing shallow that had been there since 6 am and out of the ten guys - not one bite.

[bry c]

I went there sat and sun and caught 1 walleye about 6". Had lots of lookers. Back in the good old days when that lake would freeze completely, we caught lots of nice bows at the marina. The walleyes will run up the platte to spawn during the next 6 weeks or so, so they should be staging down at that end somewhere.