Inclement weather dampened fishermen’s enthusiasm across much of Colorado during the Memorial Day weekend, but the fish may have been less affected by cooler temperatures, rain and in some mountain areas, snow.

Anglers venturing forth found generally good fishing for trout in mid-elevation lakes and reservoirs, though rain-swollen tributary creeks might have discolored the water to some extent. Higher-elevation waters such as Jefferson Lake, Turquoise Reservoir, Big Creek Lakes and Trappers Lake became free of ice. Ice-out mackinaw are the attraction at Jefferson, Turquoise and the Big Creek lakes; Trappers has cutthroat trout.

Insect hatches including Chironomidae midges were occurring on the South Park reservoirs, and the Sagebrush Lakes of North Park also had some early Callibaetis mayflies. While fly fishermen rejoiced, spin fishermen might have complained that the hatches made fishing more challenging, but many still enjoyed some fairly good action.

River fishermen as a rule still were singing the runoff blues. Though flows in southwest-Colorado rivers have come down a little, conditions are not yet prime. The White River and some others still are rising and no end to the runoff appears in sight.

Middle sections of the Colorado River are high, with a visibility of about one foot into the water. Wading is difficult to impossible, but Pteronarcys stonefly nymphs have been active near the edges, suggesting the main hatch could begin in about a week. If the water clears just a little, the action should be very good.

Tailwater sections of rivers below a dam remain the best bet, even if flows have come up. Higher water on the Frying Pan, Blue and Taylor are likely to carry Mysis shrimp into the river, tempting some larger-than-average fish. Rising water in Elevenmile Canyon of the South Platte is likely to move fish from the deeper holes into other sections of the river. Flows around Deckers, meanwhile, have been constant and caddisflies have been active.

Warm-water fishermen still face a mixed bag. The trend is upward, along with the rising water temperatures, but the cooler recent weather might have slowed things a little. Crappie are active in several reservoirs, and some very good action for white bass has been reported at John Martin Reservoir in southeast Colorado.

With warmer weather in the forecast, look for warm-water fishing to take off during the next few weeks.

The complete, statewide fishing report is online at: http://wildlife.state.co.us/fishing/reports/seasonalreports