Fishing Report For Sloan Lake, CO

Current Report: Good

Thanks to an on-going stocking program by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, trout fishing in Sloan's Lake Park is good.

FALL. Anglers are now catching them 3 to 8 feet deep on rocky banks, wind-blown points, around islands, humps, and anywhere baitfish are gathering. Now that they had a full summer to grow, there are some nice size rainbow to be caught. Small spinners, spoons, jigs, miniature crankbaits and swimbaits are good choices, as are salmon eggs and prepared baits.

WINTER. When Winter sets in jigging spoons, and jigs tipped with bait, are catching nice limits of rainbows out of 2 1/2 to 6 feet of water. These baits work well around the old river channels and the deeper humps and cuts. Trolling with leaded line or downriggers, or vertical jigging with spoons and jigs, are the best approach during the cold-water season. Slowly worked offerings are more likely to attract bites in this cold water.

SPRING. As water begins to warm in early Spring, rainbow trout move from their late winter holding areas to shallow, warmer water 3 to 6 feet deep, around vegetation. A good number of rainbows are typically caught from mid morning to late afternoon, during the warmest water of the day. Shallow flats and rocky structure are quick to warm in the afternoon sun. A wide variety of small spinners, spoons and bait are catching most of the fish.

SUMMER. Once Summer is here to stay, the warmer water drives rainbow deeper, 2 to 8 feet deep. See advisories regarding eating trout caught here in Summer. Anglers fishing from the bank are using nightcrawlers or Berkley PowerBait.

Current Report: Fair

FALL. Fall is one of the better times of year for catching channel catfish. Early in Fall they cruise the 3 to 6 feet deep shallows, in search of food. Later, in the season they migrate away from the shallows and current, to moderately deeper water. They can typically be found from 5 to 8 feet deep. Fishing for channel catfish is often productive around any kind of structure. Road beds, creek channels and rocky points are all good places to begin. Drift fishing is popular and generally productive. Use a slip sinker or Carolina rig setup. Use cut bait, nightcrawlers, shrimp or prepared baits.

WINTER. In Winter, the channel cats gather in deep water and go virtually dormant, especially if water cools into the 40's. They hole up in pockets, deeper channels, ledges, and the basin areas from 20 to 35 feet deep and await warmer water. The northwest inlet, around Penny Island, and around the marina are popular areas. Slow presentations, especially cut bait, can still entice strikes. Often during mid day, through the afternoon, anglers are catching them a bit shallower on the same structure.

SPRING. In Spring, when water temperatures rise into the high 40's, channel catfish start their migration into coves and up river. Early in the season, look for them in 2 to 6 feet of water. They hold here, and feed aggressively, around relatively shallow cover until water warms into the mid 70's, at which time they begin the spawn process. Anglers are using slip sinkers, 3-way rigs, or Carolina rigs to keep the bait close to the bottom. Later in Spring, focus on shallow flats into late evening.

SUMMER. In Summer, they are scattering, locating cover in slightly cooler water. Reports indicate the most successful anglers are using nightcrawlers, cut bait, minnows or shrimp. Most channel cats hold in 2 to 4 feet during the day, and 1 to 3 feet during the night. Fishing from late in the day until midnight produces some of the best results, as this is their prime feeding time. If you observe posted closures, or dead fish, avoid contact and do not eat fish from the lake that day.

Current Report: Fair

FALL. Cooling, Fall weather dropped the water temperature bluegill are getting active. Shallow, weedy areas are holding bluegill. Later in Fall, as the shallows get colder, bluegill will move into 5 to 7 feet of water, in the same areas.

WINTER. Cooling shallows drive the bluegill back to deeper cover, in water ranging from 6 to 8 feet deep. Small baits, on light tackle, worked slowly tends to get the best results.

SPRING. In early Spring, bluegill migrate from winter holding areas toward the shoreline areas, and are typically caught around 1 to 4 feet deep. As the water warms to the mid 70's they will begin the spawning ritual, building nests in 1 to 3 feet of water. Many of the bigger bluegill prefer to spawn a bit deeper, depending on water clarity. After the spawn, bluegill move to 3 or 6 feet deep. Small spinners and swimbaits, or jigs tipped with small pieces of nightcrawlers are good choices for catching a lot of bluegill in Spring. A hook, line, weight and bobber, with small pieces of worms, also catches plenty of bluegill.

SUMMER. Following the spawn, most of the bigger bluegill migrate to deeper water, around 3 to 6 feet deep. They prefer rocky or weedy areas, often hanging out on steep, rocky banks where they can move up and down to feed without having to travel a great distance. Small spoons, underspins, and mini-crankbaits are catching some of the bigger bluegill. Earthworms are also catching good numbers. Early and late in the day, anglers catch them in 1 to 4 feet of water.