Southeast Colorado Fishing Conditions – June 23
Arkansas River Headwaters
The river above the Twin Lakes inflow is starting to shape up well in the afternoons. The waterflow is still fairly high, but clarity is good and fish are very active. Expect to see a mix of stoneflies, caddis, and craneflies. Grasshoppers are along the banks as well, so be ready with attractor dries and droppers. Do not wade into the river where you cannot see the bottom. Fish slow, sheltered areas with consistent current thoroughly with dark, large profiled patterns like stoneflies or streamers. You may be surprised how well fish can still see and forage in the off colored water.
Arkansas River below Lake Pueblo
The Arkansas River has seen steadily increasing flows out of Lake Pueblo. Currently, the river is running at 710 cfs. Despite the higher flows, anglers are still catching fish in the river. Spin and fly anglers are both reporting success. Spin anglers are doing well on spinners and fly anglers are still having luck on midge, caddis, blue wing olive patterns, as well as streamers. Please use caution when wading in these higher flows, as the current is extremely strong, despite depth and speed of current.
John Martin Reservoir
Water levels continue to rise at the reservoir. The fishing has been fair for walleye, white bass, wipers, and catfish for both shore and boat anglers. Plenty of crappie are currently being caught, but a majority of them are very small in size.
Lake Pueblo
The current surface temperature is around 55 degrees. Fishing on the lake has been fair to good as of recently. Anglers are consistently catching walleye on jerk baits, crank baits, and jigs. Bass fishing is also pretty decent right now. Soft plastics and crank baits are consistent producers for those pursuing bass. The trout fishing has been fair for those using bait from shore. There are no reports on catfish at this time. Wipers have been far and few between. Anticline Pond has been producing a lot of trout. Boat anglers are reminded that the boat ramps are open and summer hours are from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Nee Noshee Reservoir
The water levels are continuing to rise. The only useable boat ramp is the far north Kiowa ramp. This ramp is extremely shallow and launching larger boats will be difficult. There has not been much fishing activity at Nee Noshee, but there have been a few catfish and carp caught along the west side of the reservoir.
North Gateway Park
Fishing has been slow to fair for pan fish and bass. The trout fishing has slowed down drastically with the warmer days.
Queens Reservoirs
The water level is slowly decreasing. Both boat ramps are useable at both upper and lower Queens Lakes. Fishing has been fair for catfish, bullheads, and carp from the shore. The walleye and crappie fishing has slowed down as of recently.
