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Located in the northeast corner of Colorado, Jumbo Reservoir SWA offers not only an improving fishery, but a place to hunt, view wildlife, and camp. Severe drought in 2006 resulted in the reservoir's draining and subsequent loss of its fishery. Since refilling in the winter of 2006, the Division of Wildlife has been actively stocking the reservoir to bring it back to its former self. Large numbers of catchable trout have been stocked as a result anglers are enjoying great fishing for these 10-15 inch fish.
The warm water fishery is continuing to improve. Gizzard shad have been introduced to provide forage for the million plus walleye that have been stocked since 2006. Additionally, crappie, bluegill, smallmouth, saugeye, and channel catfish were stocked. Screens added to Jumbo Reservoir's outlet has helped with sport fish retention. Based on gillnet surveys, this reservoir is rebounding nicely and fishing reports indicate catfish to 18 inches are showing up.
2009 CDOW Fishing Forecast
Walleye/Saugeye
Although virtually all walleye sampled during 2007 and 2008 were less than 15 inches, abundance at Jumbo Reservoir rivals any water in the state. Because of the lag time associated with growing a fishery, walleye will not reach legal size until May or June of 2009. Walleye caught during 2009 which exceed 15 inches are the result of 3.2 million fry and 40,000 fingerlings stocked in May of 2007. Walleye caught in 2009 which measure 7-10 inches represent fish that were stocked in May of 2008. From these numbers you can see it takes roughly 2.5 years to grow a legal sized fish on the Eastern Plains. Another year class will be stocked in May (2009). Provided an average irrigation season occurs in 2009, prospects for great walleye fishing in the future will be a reality. Walleye will be attracted to rocky structures when water temperatures range 42-52. Later, these fish will be scattered over sandy flats.
Catfish
Good numbers of channel catfish were collected during the 2007 gillnet survey thanks to the stocking of 6” catfish by the Wray Hatchery. These fish will range 13-17” during the 2009 angling season. The 2008 survey likely missed this species.
Trout
Trout fishing at Jumbo should be incredible during 2009. Rainbow trout were stocked immediately after the reservoir refilled to capacity in late 2006 and more than 10,000 10-inch rainbow were planted during the fall of 2008. Anglers can expect to catch trout up to 20” during 2009. The daily bag limit for trout is 4.
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth had never been stocked at Jumbo prior to 2007. Based on water quality analysis and secondary forage items (besides shad), this bass was stocked at 3” during 2007. In total 15,000 were planted and the smallmouth doubled in size in only 2 months. Similar numbers were added in 2008. Anglers should expect to take smallmouth averaging 12” during 2009.
Crappie
The number of crappie collected during 2008 dropped considerably from 2007. This is the direct result of not deploying trapnets during 2008. Based on the 2007 data crappie fishing should be decent at Jumbo for 2009. Crappie must be 10 inches to keep.
Wiper–No wiper (stripped x white bass) have been stocked in Jumbo Reservoir since 2002. Anglers seeking this species on the eastern plains should fish North Sterling or Jackson Reservoir.
Getting there: Take I-76 to the Red Lion exit (#155). Go 3 miles north to Highway 138, then 1 mile northeast to County Road 95, then 2 miles north to the reservoir.
Fees: Habitat Stamp required to enter property.
Boating: All Boats Allowed. Boat inspections began May 1 at the east boat ramp from 6 a.m.-10 p.m., 7 days a week. The east ramp will be open for trailered watercraft use. All other ramps will only be open to hand- launched boats. All boat ramps will be closed at night. Beginning in August, boat ramps will be open Thursday through Monday from 6 a.m. - 10 p.m. The ramps will be closed Tuesday and Wednesday and at night. Overnight beaching of boats is prohibited.
Boating is prohibited from October 1 through the last day of the regular goose season except for craft propelled by hand may be used to set and pick up decoys and retrieve downed waterfowl. Boats prohibited within 50 feet of outlet structure.
When the reservoir is drawn down for irrigation, boaters should use caution as unmarked hazards may exist.
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing restricted to within 50 yards of 2 south dams or 50 yards of outlet tower Oct. 1-last day of waterfowl season. |
