Arkansas Headwaters

The Milk Run, Browns Canyon, and the Big Bend area are all in good condition and fishing well. There was a bubble of off-colored water move through the river a few days ago, but so far it has not seemed to affect fishing much. The annual late summer decrease in releases from Twin Lakes has now transpired and the river is moving slower, allowing fish to again make full use of the available habitat and permitting wade anglers to get off the shoreline and out into the main body of the channel. The decrease in flows has corresponded nicely with a decrease in air temperature. NOAA is calling for cooler than normal temperatures for the next two weeks and this should result in ideal water temperatures and dynamic feeding throughout the day. Red quills, blue winged olives, midges, caddis, and some late golden stoneflies make up the majority of the hatch activity, but hoppers, beetles, and ants continue to proliferate along the shoreline. With recreational boating traffic now negligible in the Browns Canyon and Big Bend area, we enter a period of late summer fishing when solitude returns to the river. This is a great time of year to get on the water! Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Clear Creek Reservoir

Trout angling conditions from a boat have improved drastically and remains fair for shore anglers at Clear Creek Reservoir. A majority of the anglers reported landing homogeneous groups of 8 to 12-inch rainbow trout. A few trout were caught on floating Rapalas from shore. Shore anglers also experienced success on a worm and bubble combination. The best boat fishing has been at the northeast corner of the reservoir. Trolling Black Panther Martins and Needlefish lures near the dam have been productive methods to land trout. Drifting a boat and casting Pistol Pete's at the southern part of the reservoir was an effective way to land trout as well. Kokanee salmon fishing from a boat remains slow. The reservoir is closed to trailer motorized watercrafts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.  Starting September 8, boating hours will be 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Lake Pueblo

The current surface temperature is around 73 degrees. Fishing has been fair lately but is expected to start picking up with the cooler nights and shorter days ahead. As water temperatures drop, look for fish to start moving up shallower as they begin their fall feeding progression on shad. Early mornings are still going to be the best bet, as the lake temperature will be at the lowest point during the early morning. Bass can be taken on top-water baits in the early morning hours, as well as soft plastics, buzz baits, and crank baits. The walleye will continue to be found mainly in deeper water, but as water temperatures continue to decline, the walleye will also move up into shallower water. Lindy rigs, grubs, spoons, and live bait are currently producing walleye. Not many reports on trout fishing right now. The catfish are being caught on the west end using chicken liver and worms. Wipers have been few and far between.  Boaters are reminded that the boat ramps are open and summer hours from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. Lake Pueblo State Park

Trinidad Lake

The current surface temperature is around 72 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 times to fish. Catfish are hit or miss throughout the lake 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