Colorado Crappie Fishing Tips (Free Guides)

Colorado Crappie Fishing Tips
Colorado Crappie Fishing Tips

While the state of Colorado may not be the best in terms of crappie fishing, it does have several lakes, reservoirs, and large ponds that provide plenty of opportunities.

Colorado Crappie Fishing Tips

Best Time of the Year

Although it is possible to catch crappie almost any time of the year, the best time is right before the spawning season begins. Because most of Colorado is elevated resulting in colder winters, the crappie typically does not start to spawn until late March or early April. Until the temperature reaches a certain point, it is possible that the crappie may wait until May.

By fishing just before that time when the crappie is hungry, you stand a good chance of reeling plenty of them in.

Best Time of the Day

As with most areas of North America where the crappie lives, the best time of the day to catch them is when they are feeding. Most crappies feed in the twilight hours just before sunrise and just after sunset. This is when they leave their shelters or come in from the deeper water and feed. By dropping your jig in the right spot at the right level, it’s possible to reel in several crappies in a short time.

However, it should be noted that you can still catch crappie during the daytime hours. You will simply need to locate them either in the cover provided by grass, tree trunks, or rocks near the shore. Or if they go to deeper water, especially during the summertime.

Size

Most adult crappie in Colorado ranges from 1 to 2 pounds in weight. However, the largest white crappie ever caught in the state was 4 lbs. 4 oz in Northglenn Lake. The largest black crappie was caught in a private pond and weighed 3 lbs. 4 oz.

So, under the right conditions, you can catch crappie in Colorado that weighs close to three pounds or more, but you will need to know where to find them.

Best Places for Crappie Fishing

You can find crappie in almost every sizable body of freshwater in Colorado. But there are some places where the crappie fishing is particularly good such as the following reservoirs.

  • Adobe Creek
  • Bonny
  • Chatfield
  • Horsetooth
  • Navajo

All of these reservoirs offer plenty of crappies, including Lathrop State Park which has become a popular place to fish. In addition to the reservoirs, you can also find crappie in the following lakes.

  • Northglenn
  • Sloan

There are also large private ponds that house crappie. You will need to check them out through the owners who allow visitors to their sites.

Some basic tips when fishing for crappie in Colorado start with the right jigs and other gear to catch the fish. You may want to rent or take your boat to get to the deeper water during the summer months. But remember that docks and shoreline that offers cover to crappie are great places to fish.

Crappie fishing in Colorado offers plenty of opportunities. The key is to be there at the right location and time of day to reel in plenty of crappies.

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