Artificial Lure here with your Colorado River fishing report for August 15, 2025. We’re sitting at the dog days of summer, and conditions are aligning for a classic late-summer bite up and down the mighty Colorado and its close-by lakes and reservoirs.

Let’s start with the weather: It’s shaping up to be a classic August day—mornings in the low 60s, climbing to the mid-80s by afternoon, and clear skies for most of the day. Winds are light, under 8 mph, and humidity is low—a perfect combination for both anglers and fish. Sunrise this morning came at 6:12 a.m. and sunset will wrap things up around 8:02 p.m.

No tides in the heart of Colorado, but river flows are steady, with mainstem levels around average for mid-August. Brush Hollow and Eleven Mile Reservoirs report good clarity and moderate flows right now, while Denver area bodies are typical for summer.

Now, for what really matters: the fish. Willow Beach on the Colorado River was just stocked yesterday with 900 rainbow trout at the fishing pier, meaning early risers today are almost guaranteed a strike or two. Bait anglers have done well there with salmon eggs, PowerBait, or Panther Martin and Mepps inline spinners. Fly fishers: break out your midges and hopper-droppers—these trout aren’t picky the morning after a stock, but a flashy streamer or a size 14 elk wing caddis gets results, especially as the sun climbs.

If you’re looking for multi-species action, Brush Hollow Reservoir is loaded up on rainbow trout, largemouth bass, catfish, and bluegill. Bass are pushing deeper with the summer heat; they’re hitting Ned rigs, drop-shots with natural colors, and wacky-rigged senkos worked slow along the deeper weed lines. Early morning and dusk are absolute money for both bass and panfish, with shallow-running crankbaits and micro-jigs putting up numbers. For catfish, nightcrawlers on the bottom have been the consistent ticket.

Those seeking walleye–head to Chatfield Reservoir or the dam areas on smaller lakes connected to the main river. Bottom bouncers with leeches or slow-death rigs are the deal, especially as evening sets in. A 1/16 oz football jig tipped with a Ned Zone in “summer craw” has also produced quality bites.

For trout and fly anglers, Big Thompson River and upper Colorado stretches are prime in August. Terrestrials like hoppers or ants, PMDs, caddis, and midges are getting plenty of attention from rainbows, browns, and cutthroats. Double-dry setups and long leaders are the local pro tips here, as well as small streamers when clouds roll in.

Hot Spots:
- Willow Beach fishing pier for freshly stocked rainbows.
- Hobert to Goose Island shoreline at Eleven Mile for keeper trout and the occasional aggressive pike—mid to late morning is best.
- Riprap banks and gravel bars at Chatfield Reservoir early or late for big bass.
- Deeper weed lines at Brush Hollow for multi-species action.

Best Baits and Lures:
- Inline spinners (Panther Martin, Mepps), PowerBait, and salmon eggs for trout.
- Ned rigs, drop-shot, wacky worms, football jigs, and flashy crankbaits for bass and walleye.
- Nightcrawlers for catfish.
- Terrestrial dries, midges, and small streamers for trout on the fly.

Recent catch reports have included plenty of 14-17 inch cutbows at Eleven Mile, some big largemouth out of Brush Hollow, and limits of freshly stocked rainbows at Willow Beach. Bring a mix of gear—you never know what’ll key in at first or last light.

Thanks for tuning in to your Colorado River fishing update, brought to you by Artificial Lure. Subscribe for your next fishing fix—tight lines ’til then! This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot ai.

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