Reply by: Motoxman      Posted: 4/6/2012 12:40:54 PM     Points: 125    

Depends on what you are after - lake Estes itself is great for stocker trout and crappie - if you're up in the area I'd rent a kayak and hit the big lake....I've always had luck with small spinners and Tasmanian devils there....I live in Estes btw :)

 Reply by: meathunter2      Posted: 4/6/2012 1:29:41 PM     Points: 79    

I've been in Estes for 8 years, fished the lake hundreds of times, seen hundreds of fish caught and never seen a crappie come out of that lake. Maybe a perch or two but never a crappie. Moto is right it usually good for stockers on the usually stocker style baits, spinners, kastmasters, power bait, salmon eggs. The Big Thompson River is usually descent but this time of year the water is usually moving pretty fast and is pretty stained. I would recommend going into RMNP and hitting some of the small lakes and streams for some cutthroat.

 Reply by: Flyrodn      Posted: 4/6/2012 1:34:54 PM     Points: 47440    

I fish Estes every now and then. Typically I use small woolly buggers with good sucess. Truthfully I've yet to find anywhere that doesn't produce.

Have fun.

Good luck

 Reply by: NativeCuttie      Posted: 4/6/2012 2:06:05 PM     Points: 442    

Whats good thats open in RMNP at this time? Trail Ridge open yet?

 Reply by: KingFisher13      Posted: 4/6/2012 3:07:02 PM     Points: 92    

Trail Ridge isin't opened yet, and the park lakes are allmost 100% still capped.

There are Crappie in Estes lake. They are rare, and you have to know where to look.

Estes lake is fishing really well. I'd recommend fishing a fly/bubble set up.

Typical Trout lures (Thomas Boyant, Tasmanian Devil, Panther Martins, Super Dupers, etc..) usually work.

The lake is for the most part very shallow. So I'd look for an area to fish that drops off. Waders (or tube or kayak) would help.

Marys lake in Estes usually fishes good in the spring, but I haven't heard from anyones whos fished it recently..

As for the river, I would always check Kirk's Fly shop's weekly report. Here's a link to their recent report. (including flies to try on Estes or Marys)

[log in for link]
I
Good luck, and post a report with pictures when you get back

 Reply by: catfishking      Posted: 4/6/2012 4:10:10 PM     Points: 1432    

ive fished estes for around 15 years most common are rainbow, browns and suckers i have caught lots of perch also and a few crappie but as others have said the crappie are rare and not worth targeting

 Reply by: adt      Posted: 4/6/2012 5:24:43 PM     Points: 99    

thank you all i aprectiate the help

 Reply by: meathunter      Posted: 4/6/2012 7:55:47 PM     Points: 21    

I've lived in Estes for 28 years and fished that lake a ton of times. I've caught rainbows, browns, perch, walleye, suckers and carp but I'm going to have to see some pics of crappie. I hear there's tiger Muskie but never caught one. I have seen and heard of people catching walleye below the dam also. As far as depth goes its pretty deep near the the dam and through the center according to the FD Dive Team and the fish finder. The last few comments about bait and tackle are right on. It's usually a pretty reliable place to catch fish. Good luck.

 Reply by: KingFisher13      Posted: 4/6/2012 9:53:46 PM     Points: 92    

Here ya go

 Reply by: KingFisher13      Posted: 4/6/2012 9:57:44 PM     Points: 92    

Just kidding. I caught that Mon, but not outta Estes. They are in there though.

I catch Brookies in the lake too.

I've caught a couple of Eyes (one on a Panther Martin while going for Browns), but haven't figured them out yet.

 Reply by: KingFisher13      Posted: 4/21/2012 2:47:37 PM     Points: 92    

How'd you do?