[James]

St. Vrain is one of my favorite places to take novice anglers. It's also a great place to see birds while fishing. We watched an Eagle all day once fishing. They are upgrading from 4 ponds to 19. They have already began. I guess they did it w/ lottery $. Anyway, I've been dreaming of some nice Bass, Crappie, Perch, maybe some Smallmouth ponds. I don't know what they're stocking them w/.? I'm also it will be a great place (once the other ponds are ready) to take my daughter in a few years when she's ready to fish.
The one con about the place is the highway, and crowds. The extra ponds would take care of the crowds, and they'll be farther away from the highway.
So today I hear they are building a bridge off the highway over part of the park. Just wondered what ya'll thought of that, or if you've heard about it. I guess the road/bridge is to reduce some traffic.

 

[idratherbfishing]

We stopped at Barbour on the 18th after my kid went sky diving in Longmont. Its a zoo and a mess their right now. They put in a temporary? entrance a bit west of where the old one was and the 2 southern most ponds are fenced off. Might make for some nice size fish when they reopen them. Lots of people on the 2 north ponds, they are getting pounded pretty hard. On the upside the water level is as high as I have ever seen it. The water was very green and warm. I think that place should be avoided at least until south pounds are opened.

Dan

 

[Red Sox Rock]

I read in fishing and hunting magazine that St.Vrain/Barbor Ponds that they are good for beginners. But where is it???thanx

 

[monkies_butt]

Ive heard theres suppose to be more then just 19 ponds, but maybe ive heard wrong..

Red Sox Rock. this place is off the highway on the west side of I25 ( going north ).

steve

 

[monkies_butt]

Im pretty sure this is the place.. check this out .

http://parks.state.co.us/default.asp?parkID=70&action=park




steve

 

[Red Sox Rock]

Thanx steve but are these ponds crowded and would i be able to get down to them in a walking cast???thanx again

 

[idratherbfishing]

You can park on the shore in some places and the rest of the places walk right to. Very easy access for a walking cast. Plus if you need to there is a handicap pier. (fishing shallower water for bluegill and catfish would be better than fishing the deeper stuff by the handicap dock.)

Dan

 

[1eyered]

Since I'm a wuss and don't ice fish.. I like going to St. Vrain/Barbour Ponds during late winter and early spring at ice off. They usually stock these ponds with trout in the fall and by the time ice off comes, there's usually plenty of trout left. Plus, during early spring the crowds aint there yet. I start visiting usually by February. Sometimes you'll be surprised by the size of trout that come out of there. A local angler once told me that every now and then the DOW will dump a few brooders in them ponds. I don't know if this was a brooder, but I lost a colorful (cutbow?) roughly 20 something inches (most likely less than 25" though) here a few years ago. I've seen some folks pull out some very decent sized LMB and catfish too. This past Feb or March, my lady lost a big one in Pond 1 by the outhouse on the S side of the pond on a kastmaster, but we didn't know what it was. I'd imagine that this time of year it would be a zoo regardless of weekdays or weekends. Seeing the craziness from the highway is enough for me. 20 more ponds is good though.. Pays off for all the times I thought I was going to hit the lottery and was wrong. 

 

[gotmusky?]

I heard that it is suppossed to be 17 ponds total and 20 ponds total once. I don't know which one but I know that they are being built on an additional 1,000 acres. I think that will be awesome considering how busy that place gets. I only fished there once many years back on a weekend and it was a madhouse. didn't catch a thing but I always hear good things about it.

 

[Red Sox Rock]

What kind of fish are in there?Thanks.

 

[Red Sox Rock]

Which ponds are the best???And any lure suggestions?Thanx

 

[James]

Dunbar --- I've seen alot of Rainbow Trout come out of there, and I know there are Channel Cats, and Crappie. They list...bluegill, and Largemouth Bass (probably what you're looking for  ). However, I've never caught, or seen a Bass caught there. Or even read a report of it here. I just read (in F & H I think) that if you are going for Bass, to go to the back (biggest) pond. I was still a new Bass angler the last time I tried for them, but w/ no reports here of Bass caught, I doubt the Bass fishing is all that good.

When I started this post. The thing I thought that I thought was bad, was that they may build a public road (that has nothing to do w/ the park) over a State Park. I find it upseting that they would ruin the natuaral beauty of the area. Not to mention build in an area that Bald Eagles roost every winter.     

Dunbar --- Are you going back to the arsenal any time soon ?

 

[Red Sox Rock]

I'm trying to convince my dad to take me tomorrow but we got the state park pass and haven't used it much so he wants to go to a state park.I really don't want to though cuz i like little bass ponds.If i do i'll let u no.

 

[James]

Tell him to take you to Chatfield, and give us a report. I'd like to fish it before the Colorado Fisherman get together, but it doesn't look like I'll get a chance. Wherever you fish, have a good time, and good luck. ;D

 

[Red Sox Rock]

Now he doesn't want to go so i want to go to the arsenal but he has softball at 9 and 11 so we'd get there at a horrible time.I don't know i might still go there,pella,or sawhill.I can't decide which one?