Southeast Colorado Fishing Conditions – September 8
Clear Creek Reservoir
The trout fishing at Clear Creek Reservoir remains fair for both shore and boat anglers. Early morning and late evening has been the best time to target trout. Successful shore anglers usually use garlic scented PowerBait fished off the lakes bottom. Boat anglers targeting trout are having a lot of success on blue colored spinners. Boat anglers are still picking up a few trout on Kastmasters as well. The kokanee salmon fishing conditions have improved drastically with a few anglers landing multiple kokanee salmon. Almost all of the successful kokanee salmon anglers started fishing at dawn. A boat angler recently caught a 26 inch tiger musky during the late evening on crank baits. The reservoir is closed to trailer motorized watercrafts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Starting September 7, boating hours will change to 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
John Martin Reservoir
The current water temperature is around 78 degrees and the water level is higher than average. The water clarity is around 2 to 3 feet in depth and anglers are reporting that the water is brown and dirty. The fishing is rated as fair to good for most species. Bait is currently more effective than artificial lures. Night crawlers are currently the best bait. The catfish are biting the most consistently. The afternoon winds have been heavy and anglers are recommended to fish early in the morning for the most action.
Monument Lake
The current water temperature is around 69 degrees and the water level is normal. Anglers are having luck catching bass near the weed beds using crank baits, swim baits, and spinners. Some fly anglers are catching bass using black and olive colored woolly buggers. The pan fish bite has slowed down but some fish are biting on streamers. The trout fishing has been very slow since the lake closure.
Trinidad Lake
The current water temperature remains near 71 degrees. The fishing from the south shore has been steady as of recently. The anglers who are getting the most bites are having luck using worms and PowerBait. Reilly canyon has been good for anglers going after walleye and catfish. The walleye have been averaging small in size. The catfish are being caught with worms and chicken liver. Boat anglers have been catching trout and walleye consistently. Worm harnesses and trolling have worked for boat anglers fishing in 15 to 20 feet of water.
