Southeast Colorado Fishing Conditions – August 18
Arkansas River Headwaters
The upper river is in excellent shape and the fishing here has been really productive lately. The upper river near the inlet of Twin Lakes discharge is still the best place for the wade angler to get in the water, especially when compared to the higher flow rates of the lower river. We are seeing a lot of caddis and pale morning dun activity through Hayden Meadows down to Granite. Grasshoppers are beginning to become more important as the larger aquatic insect activity in the river slows down. Flows are finally down below 1,000 cfs in Brown's Canyon, and Chalk Creek is running clear which is giving us excellent conditions in Browns Canyon. This morning, the entire middle basin was in really good shape with several feet of visibility. Water flows are still too high to wade across this section. There are a wide range of insects available to the fish right now, from small midges, caddis, and pale morning duns up to much larger grasshoppers and beetles. At these flows, the fish are still pushed to sheltered or slower water near the banks and behind boulders.
Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area
Clear Creek Reservoir
The trout angling remains slow for both shore and boat anglers. At dawn, fly anglers caught several trout on Hare's Ear nymphs. Fly anglers usually experience success on Woolly Buggers as the winds begin to crank up mid-day. Bait anglers caught a few trout using PowerBait off the lake bottom. Boat anglers caught trout by trolling worms and flashers along the perimeter of the reservoir. The trout also went for Blue Fox spinners from a boat. No anglers reported landing a kokanee salmon from a boat. Early morning and late evening has been the best time to target tiger musky.
Lake Pueblo
The reservoir is currently around 72 degrees, dropping a few degrees with the recent rain and cloudy weather. Boat anglers are having luck trolling the reservoir with crank baits and Kastmasters. Using a lead core is the most effective. The fish have been found in 30 to 40 feet of water, but expect them to drop deeper once the reservoir heats up again. Anglers are reporting seeing large schools of shad throughout the reservoir.
Lathrop
The current water temperature at Martin Lake remains around 70 degrees. The fishing at Martin Lake is producing mostly catfish, pike, and trout. The catfish are being caught on worms from the bank. Good sized pike are being caught by boat anglers using spoons. The trout are being caught from the bank on worms and PowerBait. The fishing at Horseshoe Lake is producing smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and catfish. Boat anglers are producing the best results. Trolling is working well for bass and rainbow trout. The catfish are being caught from the bank on worms. The current water temperature at Horseshoe Lake is near 70 degrees.
North Gateway Park
The fishing continues to be steady for all species. Anglers are having luck catching large catfish in the 10 to 15 pound range.
Trinidad Lake
The current water temperature remains around 70 degrees. The fishing from the south shore has been steady and anglers are catching fish on worms and PowerBait throughout the lake. Reilly canyon is fishing well and anglers are catching small walleye and some catfish with worms and chicken liver.
