Rainbow, brown trout available in ample supply in lakes

Fishing across Colorado has settled into an early summer mode. Conditions generally are good, or at least improving in much of the state.Large mountain reservoirs such as the South Park and North Park lakes and Blue Mesa and Taylor reservoirs on the Western Slope remain good bets for trout fishermen. Fish still are in relatively shallow water, within casting distance of shoreline anglers, and active throughout the day.

Rainbow and brown trout are the top attraction in most of the lakes, but some also have lake trout, also known as mackinaw, and kokanee salmon. Lake trout are the largest members of the trout/char family, and during much of the year they are found in deep water and difficult to catch without specialized deep-trolling equipment.

In spring and early summer they may be in shallower areas, where they can be taken on conventional fishing tackle. Likely waters for mackinaw this time of year include Taylor, Turquoise and Granby reservoirs, as well as Twin Lakes, the Mount Elbert Forebay, Jefferson Lake and the Catamount reservoirs on the north slope of Pikes Peak.Stream fishermen, meanwhile, are looking toward the end of the runoff.

Most rivers already have dropped. Many already are fishably clear, and most should be in prime condition in another week to 10 days. Warm-water fishing across much of the state is approaching its peak. Bass, wipers, walleyes and other fish have become increasingly active as water temperatures have warmed. With continued hot weather, however, good fishing increasingly is becoming and early morning and late-afternoon affair.