Arkansas River Headwaters

The river is in excellent condition with great fishing now available on the Milk Run, Browns Canyon, and the Big Bend. Most of our guides have been focused on dry fly fishing, though dry-dropper, streamer, and nymph rigs will all work well too. With the diverse and plentiful hatches underway, fish are feeding throughout the day and can be brought to the surface most of the time. Bright, full-sun afternoons may require a little depth if fish move out and down off the first shelf. Good lead flies are foam and natural pmx patterns, stimulators, foam hoppers, stones, and ants. Trail small stimulators, caddis, or pmd’s for double dry. Drop red quill or pmd nymphs if the sun is too bright. (Courtesy of ArkAnglers) Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Clear Creek Reservoir

Trout angling has been slow from both shore and boat at Clear Creek Reservoir. Early morning fishing remains the best time to land a trout from shore. Successful shore anglers caught a few trout on worms at the southeast part of the reservoir. The southern part of the reservoir can be accessed by a trail located near the pond off of Highway 24. A few boat anglers reported landing rainbow trout in the 19 to 23-inch range. Trolling worms with flashers at the southern part of the reservoir has been the most productive method to catch trout. Trolling for trout has been more effective 50 to70 feet away from the shoreline in deeper water. The kokanee salmon fishing remains very slow. The best time to fish for kokanee salmon has been at dawn. The tiger muskie fishing has been very slow. A majority of the tiger muskie followed a lure up to a boat without striking at the lure. The reservoir is closed to trailered motorized watercrafts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The current boating hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

John Martin Reservoir

The current water temperature is around 76 degrees. Water clarity is poor with about 20 inches of visibility. A majority of the fish are being caught in the deeper water around 25 to 30 feet down. The wiper bite is hot right now. Anglers who are keeping their bait near the bottom of the reservoir are having the most success. Gulp minnows and PowerBait are currently the most effective. John Martin State Park

Lake Pueblo

The current water temperature is around 77 degrees. The water level has been slowly decreasing, creating tough fishing conditions. Fishing is rated as poor to fair. The pan fish are still biting well, but anglers going after bass and trout are having difficulties when using their usual techniques. Lake Pueblo State Park

Lathrop Lake

Anglers are having luck pulling in stocked trout on both lakes. Martin is providing a great northern pike bite, which will continue into the fall. Stocked trout are being caught on PowerBait and crawlers. No reports of muskie or walleye have come in lately. Lathrop State Park

North Gateway Park

Fishing has been slow as of recently. Most of the anglers are catching small bluegill and small catfish on various lures.

Trinidad Lake

The surface temperature is currently around 74 degrees. Juvenile smallmouth and perch are being caught from areas of cover using night crawlers. We are also seeing a few trout being caught on PowerBait from shore. Early mornings and later evenings continue to be the most productive time to fish. Catfish are still hit or miss throughout the lake for anglers fishing at night using worms and liver. Fishing from shore has slowed down. Boaters are still catching trout, walleye, and perch using jigs tipped with a night crawler or artificial minnow. Some boaters are catching fish trolling worm harnesses. Trinidad Lake State Park