FISHING THE COLORADO RIVER

Welcome to the Colorado! Winter may be giving way to an early spring–we can only hope such is the case. January has been relatively warm which means fishing in the Topock Gorge has been productive. Striper action remains a little lackluster except for the occasional fish and the plump 7-pounder taken by Daniel Lewis of Palm Desert, California. Smallmouth bass bite as well as the largemouth bite while not as lively as it will soon be, is still pleasingly entertaining. Sizes have been running between dinks and 2-pounds. One largemouth tipped the scales at 3.5-pounds–night crawlers have been the bait du-jour. With the exception of a few off days, the sunfish action continues to be energetic. Weights have been ranging between pan size and 2.25 -pound! If you think sunfish aren’t worth fishing for; think again. Their meat is firm and white and a fillet makes for a deliciously tasty taco–just add cabbage and salsa. Like the striper, 2011 was uncharacteristically shy of catfish.  Melancholy fishers of both the striped bass and the whisker fish are longing for a more plentiful 2012.  

Catfish action may be off in the river, but stringers of them are being taken near North Dyke in the Topock Marsh on live bait–minnows as well as with worms. The marsh is also producing a few largemouth bass, and crappie. Anglers have been spotted dipping their rods into the waters at South Dyke, but no reports have issued forth!

See you on the river. Until the next time, Keep your sinker in the water and the plug in your boat, and remember no matter what time of day or year it's always FunFishing on the Colorado!