Fishing Report: Southeast (7/9)
Other regions: Northeast, Denver Metro, Northwest, Southwest
Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)
Water levels continue to drop and fishing is generally slow for all species. Some saugeye and walleye are being caught from boats. Fishing for catfish is fair with some nice channel cat being caught at night from the bank using a variety of baits. The low water boat ramp is usable.
Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)
Greg from ArkAnglers says that recent significant afternoon rains on the peaks have raised the water levels in the Arkansas River, helping to maintain cooler water temperatures and providing better cover for fish. As of July 9, flows through Bighorn Sheep Canyon were around 500 cfs with 350 cfs in the Granite area. This higher flow has kept fish more active, particularly during the afternoons, and the diverse and prolific aquatic insect activity has continued unabated. Yellow sally stoneflies, pale morning dun and trico mayflies, midges, and several species of caddis are all keeping fish oriented toward the surface and feeding throughout the day.
Brush Hollow Reservoir (Fremont County)
The boat ramp is inaccessible due to low water levels. Shore anglers report some success fishing at night for catfish.
Clear Creek Reservoir (Chaffee County)
Clear Creek was stocked this past week by the Leadville National Fish Hatchery. Recent fishing has been dominated by unstable weather. Monsoon rains have brought lower temperatures with daily highs from 10 to 20 degrees lower than past weeks. Rainfall and/or changes in barometric pressure have reduced feeding activities somewhat but catch limits of trout have been reached with two hours of fishing. Occasional fishermen have reported good catches of trout and Kokanee salmon. Tiger muskies continue their wary behavior: no one has yet to report catching one and only the one person fishing explicitly for muskies has reported even hooking one this year. From the shore, fishing continues to be best at the upper end of the reservoir to the west. Worms, spoons, and small spinner lures have been more successful than other choices. A professional fly fisherwoman from Pikes Peak Fly Shop/Pikes Peak Flyfishers caught 59 trout in two hours trolling deep with a Jeanne’s Green Wooley Booger, and also with an Ed’s Green Wooley Booger. But this was about the only large number of catch and release fish caught. From boats, trolling with cowbells leading worms, spoons, spinner lures, or flies along the south shore and in the middle of both branches of the reservoir has not been bad - not good but not bad, either. Good success, however, has been reported with silver and blue colored spoons and spinner baits. Gold-colored lures have not done well at all. Clear Creek Reservoir is open to trailered, powered boats every day of the week except Tuesday and Wednesday, from 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Our new dock makes launching and retrieving boats much easier.
DeWeese Reservoir (Custer County)
Fishing holding steady for trout with some nice 16-18 inch fish being landed using marshmallows and salmon eggs. Trolling from boats has also been effective. Smallmouth bass anglers can try Rapalas, tube jigs and worms. There are no size restrictions for the smallmouth bass in DeWeese. The daily bag limit for bass in DeWeese is five of any size.
Henry Lake (Crowley County)
Fishing for channel catfish has been fair with numerous bull heads being caught.
John Martin Reservoir State Park (Bent County)
The white bass bite is still very good, both from shore and from boat. The crappie and saugeye bite has stopped. The water level is very low, and the weather is hot, which is slowing the fishing down throughout the day. Best success is coming in the mornings and evenings. The white bass are still biting on crank baits, Mr. Twisters and mussels. Smaller catfish are being caught in the stilling basin using chicken liver. Water temperature is around 77 degrees.
Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County)
This week proved to be another hot, dry and sunny week at Lake Pueblo State Park. Afternoon thunderstorms are common this time of year and can bring sudden, dangerous high winds. Be aware of changing conditions when boating. The water level in the reservoir is dropping quickly, exposing new shoreline and structure. The best times to fish are still in the very early morning and the evening. Several fishermen reported success this week catching bass and walleye. Most were using live baits: Nightcrawlers, leeches, and minnows attached to jig heads and fished along the bottom. In one instance, a fisherman was catching bass using artificial top-water bait, fishing near some schooling shad. The Arkansas River below the dam saw occasional high levels over the past week as additional water was released. Levels in the river should be back to normal and will remain that way. Many fishermen are reporting catching trout in the river. Live bait, such as worms, are the most commonly used bait.
Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, Lathrop State Park (Huerfano County)
Fishing continues to be good on both lakes. We are still seeing some trout being caught in the 20 inch range, but the majority of the trout are in the 10-14 inch range. Trout are being caught on PowerBait and nightcrawlers. Over the past two weeks we have had some nice pike, catfish, and wiper caught.
Meredith Reservoir (Crowley County)
Fishing at Meredith has been fair for channel catfish. Fishing for wipers has been slow. The crappie bite at Meredith has stopped. The boat ramp at Meredith is usable this week but the water level continues to drop.
Turquoise Reservoir (Lake County)
Turquoise was stocked with catchable trout this week by the Leadville National Fish Hatchery. Water levels are still low. Catch rates have slowed since early June. It now takes a determined fisherman to catch a limit. PowerBait and worms are still the most reliable terminal tackle.
Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)
Trinidad Lake is approx. 496 surface acres with the surface temperature about 67 degrees. Fishing the past two weeks has been fabulous! There have been several nice trout, walleye and catfish being caught. Three of the walleye were over 25” and we had a 27” wiper caught near the Tower. Fish are still hitting best on PowerBait (yellow/green or orange/green), night crawlers, and the catfish on chicken livers. ANS boat inspections are taking place so be sure your boat is “CLEANED, DRAINED, and DRIED”. Boaters beware of floating debris and unmarked hazards as the water level continues to slowly fall. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for bass and walleye and to always wear your PFD!! All camping and bath-house facilities are now open. For more information call the Visitor’s Center at 719-846-6951.
Twin Lakes Reservoirs (Lake County)
Fish may be more lethargic now as water has warmed and staying deeper in cooler water. Not wanting to chase food down, baits are best for sluggish fish. Catch rates have dropped significantly in the last week, but can still be rated as fair off deeper shores.
