Reply by: Flyrodn      Posted: 1/7/2012 7:31:02 AM     Points: 47320    

Thanks for the post. Love hearing about West Slope Fishing. Please consider submitting conditions reports in the future. Skippers don't always pull info from the forum.

 Reply by: Durroar      Posted: 1/7/2012 9:58:27 PM     Points: 176    

What were you using on the crappies. I was catching them all summer and fall at Crawford but I never have any luck through the ice. I usually use small perch ice jigs or small spoons tipped with shrimp, worms or perch eye for perch and trout.

 Reply by: bill92042      Posted: 1/8/2012 7:56:57 AM     Points: 1483    

Sounds like a great day. My dad and I got out very late one day and had one of the best trips I can remember. Thanks for posting.

Bill

 Reply by: bowhuntinnut      Posted: 1/8/2012 9:21:06 AM     Points: 199    

How big are the Crappie and Perch in this lake? I have never fished it but always wanted to. How is the ice there? thanks.

 Reply by: perchboy      Posted: 1/24/2012 5:12:22 AM     Points: 0    

Looking to come fish some perch. any luck and where abouts are they biting. Have never fish Crawford but looking forward to it. How thick is the ice. any bait shops close? I will be traveling from Colorado Springs.
Thanks Mike

 Reply by: 49er      Posted: 1/24/2012 6:24:29 PM     Points: 55    

The afternoon bite about 2 till dark is the best bite for crappie there most of the time. Real small tungsten jigs with half a mealie usually works. As for size, they run from 6" to 12" with an average of 8-10". Perch average 4-6" with a very few nice ones. No bait shops as minnows in Colorado over 7,000 and everywhere on the Western Slope are illegal. Ice is at least a foot thick.

 Reply by: Lefty2053      Posted: 1/24/2012 7:21:14 PM     Points: 906    

The Desperado Station sells some Mela worms and other bait frozen. Then there is the New Tackle shop in town on Cedar St. Called Bait Box and More has some stuff there also. Sign up for the Crawford Pike Derby at Bait Box and More.

 Reply by: FireFish      Posted: 1/24/2012 7:21:39 PM     Points: 298    

I would love to get in on those crappie!!! I'm looking at putting a trip together to and fish crawford. I live in durango and I would love to ice warm water species! Is there a good place to stay in or around hotchkiss or the lake?

 Reply by: Huntfishman      Posted: 1/24/2012 7:43:58 PM     Points: 13    

The ice is about 9" thick by the dam. Wax worms have been working good for crappie. I use a horizontal jig with a small heavy head, red with a red blood worm plastic which worked best for me and my wife. I hate to admit it she outfished me. A fish finder is a great tool if you have one since the fish are suspended. Good luck!

 Reply by: perchboy      Posted: 1/26/2012 4:53:51 PM     Points: 0    

Hey everyone thanks for all the info. Looking foorward to spending some time at Crawford. Hope to see some of you on the ice.
Mike