Blue Mesa 2021 Report and Summer Forecast!
We are off and running for the 2021 season and so far the fishing has been great! We are currently seeing good action for all species! Surface temp is 48-54 degrees across the lake. Unfortunately, we are 65 feet low and still dropping. We have heard forecasts bringing the water level up into the 35-38 feet low range, but just hope the remaining snowpack will support this. PRAY for rain! The Elk Creek and Lake Fork boat ramps are open from 6 am to 8 pm. Elk Creek Marina is open.
Current Fishing Report:
Trout- the trout fishing has been excellent for brown trout and rainbow trout! Casting and trolling have both been productive. The brown trout have been really keyed in on the condensed crawdad population. Focus on rocky shorelines and trout will be nearby!
Salmon- There seem to be schools of salmon all across the lake! Part of this is the bathtub effect, but overall the salmon numbers appear to be up from last year and so far we are seeing some salmon action! They have been hanging out from the surface down to 40′ most days, but don’t be afraid to try deeper if you see them on the sonar!
Lake Trout- The spring Lake Trout window has not disappointed with some really nice fish showing up so far! The warmer water temps have started to push the lake trout towards deeper water. Lake trout in Blue Mesa typically take 10-12 years to grow to 30″ and then slow down to an average of 1″ per year after that point. These fish are a resource that takes time to restore so releasing lake trout over 30″ is very important! Lake trout can live to be 60 years old and be the “fish of a lifetime” for many people over its lifetime if released!
2021 Blue Mesa Fishing Forecast
Low water years are typically marked by good fishing since there is less real estate for fish to hide across. The salmon numbers appear to be up drastically from 2020, which will also improve fishing! We are anticipating a great fishing summer for kokanee salmon, rainbow trout, brown trout, and yellow perch as long as we get the anticipated runoff. Low water years can be dangerous for the fishery if we have a hot summer as water temps can get higher than normal and oxygen levels can get lower than normal as we get later into the summer. Both of these factors can be harmful to the fish. The additional “X” factor is the gill lice that can and will infect at a higher rate with the lower water levels. With the help of the lake coming up from runoff and some rain, a lot of these issues can be minimized. We are looking forward to a great summer and look forward to seeing you all out there!
Our passion is helping others get out to enjoy this great sport! We specialize in guided fishing trips and would love to get you and your family or friends out on the water. Feel free to call or text with any questions! (970) 784-6555
