Conditions at Ridgway | Colorado State Parks

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Conditions

Boat Ramps - 4/29/2012

THE BOAT RAMP is open. To prevent the spread of aquatic nuisance species (ANS), including zebra and quagga mussels, all vessels MUST be inspected prior to every launch. The ANS Inspection Station is open for inspections daily, hours of operation are 8 a.m. til 4 p.m. Starting May 15, 2012 the ANS hours will be Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday hours will be 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Please call the Park Office at 970-626-5822 x10 for more information.

Boating - 4/24/2012

THE BOAT RAMP IS NOW OPEN for the season. The ANS Inspection Station is open daily from 8 a.m. til 4 p.m. Starting May 15, 2012 the ANS hours will be Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. until 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday will be 7 a.m. until 10 p.m. Please call the Visitor center for more information at 970-626-5822.

Camping - 4/24/2012

OPEN to camping!Camping is first come first serve until May 16, 2012 when reservatons start. Dakota Terraces, Loops A, B and C are open with electric at each site and water available in the loops to fill your fresh water tank. Dakota Terraces Camper Services is scheduled to open April 27, 2012. Elk Ridge loop E and the Camper Services are scheduled to open May 1st. Elk Ridge loops have electric at each site with water available to fill your fresh water tank. Elk Ridge loop D is scheduled to open May 10, 2012. Pa-Co-Chu-Puk loops F and G are open with full hook-ups available. Loop H sites are open for tent camping. Pa-Co-Chu-Puk camper services is open. Reservations start May 16, 2012 for camping. The Yurts are available either first-come, first-serve or through reservations. Please call the park for more information at (970)626-5822x12. Reserve on-line at www.parks.state.us. The phone numbers for reservations are: 1-800-678-2267 (outside Denver) or 1-303-470-1144 (in the Denver area).

Fire Restrictions - 6/27/2011

Fires are allowed in approved containers (fire rings and charcoal grills).

Fishing Report - 5/11/2012

The water level on the reservoir continues to rise with the spring runoff but it has not seemed to affect the fishing. Both shore fisherman and boaters are reporting very good fishing conditions for stocker sized (8”-14”) fish with a few larger fish (18”-20”) being caught from time to time. Fishermen are mainly catching rainbows but there have been some browns, splake, and kokanee caught this spring. Shore fishermen are doing especially well between Dutch Charlie Fishing Pier and the mouth of Mears Bay and along the Dallas Creek Shoreline. Shore fisherman should to try gold KastMasters, yellow/black Panther Martins, and pink or orange power bait or salmon eggs off the bottom. Boat fishermen are having luck with gold pop-gear and black and silver sinking Rapalas near the dam and around the opening to Mears Bay. Fishing in the Uncompahgre River in Pa-Co-Chu-Puk is still exceptional. The river flows are currently at around 300 cfs but will continue to rise as spring runoff continues. Fly fisherman are doing well on prince nymphs and hairs ears, but other small midges are working as well. There have been several reports of grasshoppers already showing up along the banks of the river so a hopper pattern may work pretty good as well. Spin fisherman are doing well with gold Mepps and yellow and black Panther Martins. Please remember that the Uncompahgre River in Pa-Cu-Chu-Puk is restricted to flies and lures only and all fish caught must be returned to the water immediately. The ponds at Pa-Co-Chu-Puk have a good population of Rainbow and Brown Trout. Fishing the ponds this spring has been very good. There have been several larger fish (18”-20”) caught this spring. Fishermen have been doing well with night crawlers and salmon eggs on top in the mornings and evenings, and various colors of Power Bait off the bottom in the middle of the afternoon. Please remember that the Uncompahgre River running adjacent to the ponds is restricted to flies and lures only and all f

Hunting - 6/27/2011

Due to limited backcountry areas and the proximity of recreation facilities hunting is limited. ALSO, because of year-round visitation to the park by a variety of recreation user groups we ask ALL HUNTERS TO CHECK IN each season with the ranger staff at the Visitor Center for specific and updated information on hunting at Ridgway State Park. Big game and small game hunting on the EAST side of Hwy 550 starts the Tuesday after Labor Day and extends through the Friday before Memorial Day (according to current seasons and licenses). Waterfowl hunting is permitted on the Dallas Creek shoreline October 1 - April 30 (according to current seasons and licenses). Big and small game hunting along the WEST shoreline of the reservoir is open October 1 - April 30 (according to current seasons and licenses) Hunters should check with the park office for a site map, specific closures and regulations.

Park Entrance - 4/23/2012

The Dutch Charlie and Pa-Co-Chu-Puk entrance stations will be open Saturdays and Sundays from 10a.m. until 4p.m. through the month of April. The entrance station Dallas Creek are not staffed at this time. Please use the self-serve station to the right of the gates for purchasing passes and permits when the entrance stations sre closed. Park passes and other passes/permits are also available year-round at the Park Visitor Center 8-4:30 (except state holidays which include Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year). All vehicles entering the park must have a vehicle pass.

Road Conditions - 6/27/2011

Currently in and around the park, road conditions are great! As always, watch for wildlife on all roads!

Trails - 4/6/2012

Trails are open. Trail maps are available at our Visitor Center. Enjoy!

Water Levels - 11/6/2011

The lake is open to hand-launched non-motorized vessels 17 ft and under; also for shore fishing. The water level has gone down but fishing is still good.

Water Temperature - 4/6/2012

Water temperature about 48 degrees.

Last Updated: 5/11/2012

Last Modified Date: 3/15/2011 2:50 PM