Fall is in the air, elk are bugling and aspens are changing. With the change in season comes cooler water and one of the most enjoyable times of the year to fish in Grand County. Be sure to get out, wet a line and experience one of our favorite times of the year. With a little luck, it won’t be long before we have snow in the forecast!

Grand Lake: Boat ramp hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Water temperatures are in the low 60s. Lake trout action is good. Look for them in 35 to 65 feet of water. Jigging spoons have been working well — 3/8- to 1/2-ounce chartreuse or glow-colored spoons tipped with a small piece of sucker. Rainbow trout and brown trout have been active in the inlet areas. KastMasters or a Hot Head Leech drifted in the current will produce fish.

Williams Fork Reservoir: Boat ramps will remain closed for the season because of low water levels. Nonmotorized, hand-launched boats are allowed. The water level is at 29%. Projections indicate that the reservoir will be drawn down to 6% to 15% by next spring. Shore fishing has been fair in the inlet areas. The river below the dam to its confluence with the Colorado River is flowing at approximately 100 cubic feet per second, and fishing has been good. Midge, leech and egg patterns are good flies to start with. Pike are starting to cruise the shallows and should become more active as the water cools.

Lake Granby: Sunset Point boat ramp hours are 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Stillwater boat ramp is closed because of low water. The water level is at 52.5%, or approximately 41 feet below full. Surface water temperatures are in the low to mid-60s, depending on the time of day. Brown trout and rainbow trout action has been good. Dynamic J-Spec jerkbaits in baby rainbow colors, worked erratically around the rocky shorelines, have produced consistently. Lake trout action remains good. Fish are migrating to their prespawn locations; look for them in 65 to 100 feet of water. Midmorning seems to be the best time of day. Small plastics, such as grubs or tubes in glow or dark colors, tipped with sucker, have been effective. Fish are starting to chase when baits are pulled away. If you aren’t getting bites with a subtle presentation, don’t be afraid to experiment!

The Fishing with Bernie team has been guiding in Grand County for more than 25 years. For more information, visit fishingwithbernie.com.