Trout Fishing Tips

Some fishing records seem to hard to top, but every year somebody manages to shatter an old record. On May 23rd, Don Walker reeled in a lake trout weighing 50 lbs 5 oz (4 lbs heavier than the previous state record). The fish also measured 44.25 inches in length and was caught in Blue Mesa Reservoir in Colorado.

Oddly enough the previous state record was caught by Don's brother-in-law (Larry Cornell) in 2003. And when Don caught his trout, Larry had a front row seat while fishing in the boat next to Don!

Rigged with 12-lb test line and a tube jig, Don used a jigging technique to bounce his offering on the bottom of the lake to entice the fish into striking. The surface water temperature was 53 degrees at the time (many anglers consider surface temps of 50-55 degrees to be ideal for lake trout fishing).

Blue Mesa Reservoir is one of Colorado's most productive fisheries. The water warms up more than other higher-elevation reservoirs and that encourages abundant growth of microorganisms that provide a food source for fish. Kokanee salmon, brown trout and rainbow trout thrive in the lake. In turn those fish provide a food source for lake trout, which are a predator species.

Congratulations to Don on a great catch!

Labels: Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado, Lake Trout, state record

Biologist have been watching the number of Yellowstone Cutthroat trout decrease for years, but each year the numbers are more alarming.

Yellowstone Cutthroat trout are a subspecies of Cutthroat trout and are native to Yellowstone Lake (where they get their name). Originally, they were found throughout northwest of Wyoming and sub-central Montana, but today 91% of the remaining trout are found in Yellowstone Lake and River.

Like other threatened trout species, hybridization and competition pose the biggest threat to Yellowstone Cutthroat trout - and Lake trout are believed to the major the culprit threatening the survival of these native Cutthroat trout.

Lake trout are not native to their area. They were first discovered in Yellowstone in 1994, although some believe they may have been there since 1989. Who brought them there is unknown - but authorities do believe that somebody planted Lake trout in Yellowstone illegally.

Despite the state's efforts to control Lake trout populations, these trout continue to populate at a high rate and thrive. This story offers further evidence of what can happen when non-native trout are introduced in other water systems, and why it can be a bad thing.

For more information about the problem and recovery effort for Yellowstone Cutthroat, click here.

Labels: Cutthroat Trout, hybridization, Lake Trout, Yellowstone Cutthroat trout

Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest lake. Located just west of Gunnison, Blue Mesa features two marinas (Elk Creek and Lake Marina) for boaters and fishermen. Trout anglers can enjoy catching Brown, Lake and Rainbow trout, as well as Kokanee Salmon.

Trout fishers are enjoying the ice fishing on Blue Mesa Reservoir, currently layered in 3 feet of ice. While most anglers don't show up to the lake until 10 a.m. - the ones who arrive early in the morning boast the most success.

Anglers fishing in 15-20 feet of water are claiming the most success in catching trout.

Labels: Blue Mesa Reservoir, Colorado Trout fishing, Elk Creek Marina, Gunnison, Lake Trout