Arkansas Headwaters

The peak runoff has passed in the Arkansas River basin and flows are now receding on both the tributaries and the main stem. There is still a considerable amount of snow high in the high country which will sustain water flows throughout the summer.  We expect to see flows decline gradually over the next several weeks. As of June 20, water flows are 800 cfs in Hayden Meadows, 1490 cfs at Granite, and 2510 cfs in upper Bighorn Sheep Canyon. The river is clear on the upper end and has near two feet of visibility in Salida. Caution is still advised at these current flow conditions, but fish are definitely adopting an opportunistic attitude that will only increase as more edge water habitat opens up. Yellow sallies, caddis, and craneflies have all been active in Granite and above. Look for increasing bug activity on the lower stretches of river. (Courtesy of ArkAnglers) Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area

Clear Creek Reservoir

Trout angling from shore and boat remains fair at Clear Creek Reservoir. The best trout fishing from boat and shore has been in the morning hours. Anglers reported catching 18 - 25 inch rainbow trout at the eastern part of the reservoir with most of the catch comprising of 8 - 12 inch rainbow trout. Shore fishing access at the boat ramp parking area is still limited because of both high water levels and willows right at the shoreline. Shore anglers may want to entertain wearing hip boots or chest waders to fish the shoreline more effectively. Either sherbert PowerBait or yellow Berkley's Floating Magnum Eggs typically works well for shore fishermen. Black woolly buggers have been the most productive fly for fly anglers. Successful boat anglers targeting trout used Needlefish lures, Super Duper lures, and yellow Rapala's. Kokanee salmon fishing remains very slow. A Squid tipped with white corn is one of the best methods to land kokanee salmon at the eastern part of the reservoir. A 24-inch tiger musky was caught on a Rapala CountDown Minnow at the boat ramp parking lot area. A boat angler landed a 38-inch tiger musky on a crank bait with a rainbow trout pattern Saturday evening. The reservoir is closed to trailer motorized watercrafts on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The current boating hours are from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

John Martin Reservoir

The reservoir is currently at 202,000 acre feet and the surface temperature is about 79 degrees. Fishing for white bass and wiper is still very productive, on a variety of hard baits. We are getting more reports of walleye being caught on bright spinner lures. Fishing at the spillway for cat fish is picking up and Lake hasty is fishing well in the morning and evening, but slows down during the heat of the day. John Martin State Park

Lathrop

Most anglers are having luck catching trout on both lakes. The area lakes are providing great northern pike fishing using spinners. Trout can be caught on PowerBait or night crawlers. We have not received any reports of muskie or walleye recently. Stop by the visitor center to show off your catch, and get in the book. Lathrop State Park

Skaguay Reservoir

Trout fishing has been excellent recently. The trout have been caught near the lake bottom using night crawlers, Power Bait, salmon eggs, Tasmanian Devils, Kastmasters, Jakes Lures, jerk baits, Panther Martins, rooster tails, and tube jigs. Fly anglers are having success using a dry dropper rig. Use a large dry fly on top such as a grass hopper or stimulator and drop a size 16 prince nymph or hare's ear below the dry fly. 

Trinidad Lake

The lake is at 923 surface acres with a surface temperature near 68 degrees. Shoreline anglers are catching trout, walleye, perch, catfish, and bass. Trout are biting on PowerBait. The walleye and perch are biting on jigs tipped with a night crawler. Catfish are biting on chicken liver. Boaters are still consistently catching walleye and perch. The walleye and perch have moved into the shallower water, with some being caught in a couple of feet of water. Boaters are reminded that boats must be inspected prior to launch. ​Trinidad Lake State Park

Turks Pond

The water level is fairly high right now. Catfish in the 14 - 20 inch range are being caught on stink bait, worms, and chicken livers in the evenings and at night. Wipers in the 16 inch range have been hitting on twistertail jigs and worms. A few crappie and nice sized bluegill are being caught throughout the lake on small jigs and worms under a bobber. Small bullheads are being caught as well on worms fished on the bottom.

Turquoise Lake

The lake is slowing starting to rise with the recent snowmelt. These increased water levels are giving boat anglers more success on the water. The fishing from shore is really good for both rainbow trout and lake trout. Anglers are catching fish on assorted baits, lures and flies.  

Twin Lakes

The lake is still low, although the runoff is increasing the water levels every day. Fishing from boats has been fair, for both rainbow trout and lake trout. Fishing from shore is starting to pick up, especially near the power plant. Anglers are reporting lake trout being caught from shore with both sucker meat and PowerBait.

Two Buttes Reservoir

The bass are being caught on a variety of lures with Texas rigged worms and jigs working the best. Frogs and top water lures have also been effective. The crappie and bluegill are being caught throughout the reservoir.  Try using a worm under a bobber or a small curly tail grub on a 1/8 oz to 1/16 oz jig head.  Fly anglers have also found success for bluegill and green sunfish on nymph and streamer patterns. Keeper sized saugeye and wiper are still being caught on a variety of lures.  Try using a lipless crank bait or a suspended jerk bait for the best results. The catfish are also being caught on stink bait and worms fished on the bottom. Try the black hole below the dam for some good pan fish and bass action.