Jumbo Annex, Sterling Colorado - Jumbo Annex is a small impoundment below Jumbo Reservoir that offers decent smallmouth, crappie, and catfish fishing, and is restricted to float tubes, hand powered watercraft, and shore fishing.
Jumbo Annex is now called to Red Lion SWA. The Colorado Division of Wildlife believes this reservoir offers some of the finest smallmouth fishing east of the front range. While "keepers", fish over 15 inches are not common, expect good action for fish in the 10-12 inch range. On those days when the smallmouth are less than cooperative, try your hand at catching crappie and channel catfish. From past creel surveys, there have been reports of double digit catches of legal sized fish. Based on stockings and surveys, the outlook for crappie is good. A third species that offers solid action
This small reservoir is an excellant choice for fishers looking to avoid heavy boat traffic. Previously fishing was limited to the shoreline. That was recently changed and now float tubes and hand propelled craft are permitted.
2009 CDOW Fishing Forecast
Smallmouth Bass
Smallmouth bass (SMB) abundance increased since the 2006 survey. During 2007, a total of 47 fish were collected for 20 minutes of electrofishing. The number of fish collected is standardized for 1 hour of electrofishing for comparative purposes. Smallmouth surveyed in 2006 averaged 8.7, during 2007 SMB averaged 10.5. Anglers can expect great catch and release for 12 smallmouth with the occasional fight with a legal-size fish (>15). Smallmouth look similar to their close cousin, the largemouth. Both species exist at the Jumbo Annex. To tell the two apart, look at the closed mouth, if it extends only to the middle of the eye, its a smallmouth. If it goes way beyond the back of the eye, the fish is a largemouth. Smallmouth bass were originally stocked at Jumbo Annex in 1991 when 150 adult fish were transferred from Horsetooth Reservoir. This plant was a success and this species has been stocked by the Wray hatchery ever since. A recent change in fishing regulation now allows anglers to fish Jumbo Annex using float tubes and hand propelled craft.
Catfish
Good numbers of channel catfish were caught by anglers at Jumbo Annex during 2006 and 2007. Although only 8 cats were collected in the 2007 survey, catfish anglers should not overlook this lake.
Crappie
Based on annual crappie plants and warden creels at Jumbo Annex, spring crappie fishing should be good. A fair number of angler surveyed in 2007 reported catching double digit numbers of crappie exceeding 10 inches in length. Among lakes/reservoir where crappies have been stocked, the Jumbo Annex best retains these sunfish. Avid crappie anglers should make their own determination for fishing at Jumbo Annex. Crappie must be 10 inches to keep from this lake.
Getting there: Logan county. From I-76 exit #155, go 3 miles N to HWY 138 then 1 miles NE to CR 95 then 0.25 mile North. Fees: Habitat Stamp Required Boating: Non Motorized Hand-Launch. Boating prohibited except float tubes or craft propelled by hand. Ice Fishing: Ice fishing allowed in designated areas
