[andy82hoyt]

Hello I'm Andy, new to the forums and new to Colorado. I moved from Alaska and would like to catch some perch now that I'm in the lower 48. Is there any hardwater near Colorado Springs that holds perch. I have done some research and the reservoir out west of the divide seem more productive. I noticed there are some in Brush Hollow Reservoir. Does it freeze? My son and I are up to catch anything, well I wouldn't mind staying away from trout. I have most everthing I need to ice fishing, vexilar fish flasher and camera, sleds, augers, shack, tip up, too many poles. Well I don't know if you can actually have too many. Is it worth taking a snowmachine or fourwheeler to the bigger reservoirs later in the year? Anyways, any ideas of place to ice fish this weekend within a 90 minute drive of the springs?

 

[TthePikester]

Welcome to the forum and to Colorado Andy! Every lake in Colorado has trout in it so no getting away from them!!! On your snowmobiles or atv's check the regs 1st, there are only a small few lakes here you can use them at! As for waters close to you with perch you could try 11 Mile Res with a chance to catch some pike also! I would stay on the north side close to the marina bay off the rocks to the west side. Please release any large pike back safe as they are a jewel to our lakes here. You could also try Monument Lake for a quick trip, haven't been there in years myself so not really any help for ya there but a beautiful place! Good luck and hope to see a post on your trip!!!

 

[Oyey]

Not a ton of perch anywhere near Springs. Brush Hollow is supposed to have them but I dont know a single person who has ever caught one from there... If you must have them, Blue Mesa is the best place to ice them IMO... but there are other options that are closer, but they are tougher to find.

Good edible fish in CO through the ice are tough to find... I caught and filleted a bunch of 6"-9" perch the other day I was so desperate and the place I caught them is no longer safe ice. Good luck, hang out a bit and you'll get better info.

 

[tangler]

If you want em close to the Springs, then start looking at google maps for water near you. Get the names of the lakes and ponds and search them on this forum and see what people have talked about regarding them. The search function is huge. This forum has been around a while and there is a TON of valuable info in the archives.

Talk to other ice fisherman you run into...

Plain truth is that it's hard to get answers like you are asking for as a brand new user. With our limited water, believe it or not, even perch holes are held tight to the vest. Especially ones close to home (aka anything on the front range).

Although, maybe someone here will offer to take you out, you never know. At the very least, post more, cause you need 10 posts to get/send private messages (last time I checked).

Welcome to CO, and I'm sorry for your AK loss.

 

[andy82hoyt]

Thanks all for the information. Monument Lake does sound like a good option for the weekend. I understand how forums work being a new user, as I know they can be great. Research on the Alaska Outdoors Forums helped tremendously back home. Now to learn CO. I look forward to exploring new waters.

 

[Ninja]

Welcome aboard Andy.

Brush Hollow is a tough place to catch perch of any size. I fished it twice a week this spring through summer simply because it was close, but rarely caught perch. Lots of stocker trout and bluegills.

Monument Lake has tons of smaller fish to keep the little ones busy, but not sure about eater size perch.

Like others have said our resources aren't as bountiful as some states and certain species won't get much publicity due to the high amounts of pressure it will create blasting it on public forum. Tangler gave you a good bit of knowledge with checking out the archives of this forum.

Best of luck and stay active

 

[Neal/CO]

I know Monument lake by where I live is loaded with them, but unfortunately they are stunted and not really worth the time.

I had never caught a perch at Pueblo before until this year. I was slabbing for walleye in early fall and ran into a school that was all over a hump I was fishing. Once I down sized my spoon I started catching them non-stop until I moved on to another hump.

 

[boondock]

PM Slayer....

I hear he is really helpful.

 

[aofisher]

PM Slayer....

I hear he is really helpful.

He's given me unsolicited tips. Don't know he would do the same to a newb though.

About the Mile: I have caught one perch by accident there. I don't think I'd drive that far for what little I know about the population of perch there.

 

[fischer]

a trip to Chatfield, Aurora, or Cherry Creek reservoirs isn't much farther than going to Elevenmile.

 

[aofisher]

a trip to Chatfield, Aurora, or Cherry Creek reservoirs isn't much farther than going to Elevenmile.

That's true. I momentarily forgot he was in the Springs. Maybe options are limited for perch down there. I rarely go after perch.

 

[Neal/CO]

Trinidad is a real sleeper! We had a CWA tournament down there last spring and it seems to have a lot of perch in it!

 

[lilras]

Just spoke to a guy that fished Chatfield ponds last weekend, killed the perch on gold jigs with a minnow. Nothing on wax worms or tubes though, so definitely go live bait if you can find minnows right now.

 

[andy82hoyt]

Thanks Ninja. I was looking at Brush Hollow because it was close as well. I might take a ride down there tomorrow or Friday to see how the ice looks. Bluegills are always fun.
Fischer, Yes as of now I’m thinking about Chatfield, but maybe Monument, who knows. Then here in two weeks heading west to explore the bigger water.

 

[rivrunnr1]

The hollow doesnt ice over, much, usually.

 

[andy82hoyt]

Thanks all. We had a great day fishing San Isabel. Perch, Trout, and Kokanee! Now to face Blue Mesa Friday!