Fishing Report - Southeast (4/23)

Changes to the 2012 Fishing Report
From Colorado Parks and Wildlife: Customers who use the weekly seasonal fishing report might notice a few changes this year. First, we're working to improve the product and target it directly to novice anglers looking for basic information and information about great places to fish. The amount of reliable fishing information available to more experienced anglers has expanded exponentially in recent years and the private sector seems to be doing a great job of sharing angler information.

This new report will still guide anglers to places to explore, but it focuses on getting out and getting started. More experienced anglers that are seeking up to the minute conditions are encouraged to check out some of the statewide fishing forums and websites such as fishexplorer.com, coloradofisherman.com or coloradofishing.net. There are also dozens of websites out there that provide local and regional fishing information from other anglers and professional guides and outfitters.

2012-13 fishing licenses on sale now!

Regions: Southwest, Northeast, Northwest, Denver Metro

Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)
Slow for all species, small numbers of crappie and channel catfish are being caught, with the best fishing for crappie being from boats.

Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)
Here's what the folks at ArkAnglers are saying about conditions on the Arkansas River:  " With warm weather for the week ahead expect Arkansas River water temperatures to remain above average with a corresponding high level of insect and fish activity. Midges have been very active in the morning with blue wing olives filling in the afternoons. This is true from Granite to Texas Creek. In the middle part of Bighorn Sheep Canyon, between Howard and Texas Creek, the brachycentrus caddis hatch is in full swing, with some bugs as far upstream as Salida. This hatch will continue to follow rising temperatures upstream for the next several weeks.

Headed to the Upper Ark between Leadville and Buena Vista? The guides over at Colorado Fly Fishing Guides tell us that "stone flies and blue winged olives still dominate the food source in the upper reaches of the Arkansas River.  When the days are warmer we are seeing a pronounced early caddis hatch as well. Your best opportunity to hit effective feeding windows are between 11a.m and 5 p.m. The weather is forecast to go into a cooling trend later this week which will keep flows low and promote continued strong blue wing hatches. But that will probably keep us waiting on the caddis."

Brush Hollow Reservoir (Fremont County)
Boat ramp is up and running. Anglers are doing well fishing at night for catfish and walleye. Crappie fishing is picking up in deeper water. Bass fishing is slow. Trout fishing is slow but a few small rainbows are being caught on salmon eggs.

Clear Creek Reservoir (Chaffee County)
No report this week. If you're out and about at Clear Creek, let us know how the fishing is going. Send an email to fish.reporter@state.co.us.

De Weese Reservoir (Custer County)
The lake is full and ice free.  Fishing for trout has been great, with most fish measuring 14” in length and some in the 16" to 18” range.  Anglers have been very successful using power bait.  Bass fishing has not been as productive but should pick up soon.

Henry Lake (Crowley County)
Reports from Henry Lake say fishing is slow for all species right now.

John Martin Reservoir State Park (Bent County)
Fishing on the reservoir was slow last week, with more saugeyes than wipers being pulled out using crawlers, and Mr. Twisters. Seems like everything is being caught really close to shore. The stilling basin is still producing several wipers and decent size catfish as well. No consistent reports from anglers about successful baits… all kinds of things are working. The wipers are still hitting on mussels, while the catfish are starting to hit on chicken liver. Lake Hasty is still producing a very consistent trout catch using power bait and salmon eggs.

Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County)
The walleye are finished spawning. The best fishing for walleye is typically at night. Try using suspended jerkbaits, or live bait. Fishing for other species should pick up as the weather warms. Expect turbid water during periods of high wind this time of year. In the Arkansas River below the dam, the river levels are low, but fly fishing for trout has been consistent.

Martin Lake, Lathrop State Park (Huerfano County)
Stocking trucks made an appearance at the lake in recent weeks and that means the trout fishing is picking up. Try worms, powerbait and fireballs.

Meredith Reservoir (Crowley County)
Fishing at Meredith Reservoir is generally slow. Slow to fair for wiper, fair for black bullhead, also a few crappie being caught.

Mt. Elbert Forebay (Lake County)
Lots of carryover fish from last year’s stoking have fattened and are being caught on all kinds of bait and lures.

Turquoise Reservoir (Lake County)
Turquoise is holding onto the ice but it's thin and dangerous. Because the lake is still covered with dangerous ice, our folks in the area say you're better off headed south to Twin Lakes or Mt. Elbert Forebay for a few more days. The action will heat up at Turquoise but not until the ice comes off.

Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)
Trinidad Lake is currently at 704 surface acres and the surface temp is holding at about 51 degrees. Fishing picked up recently and should only get better as we hit 80 degrees this week. Shoreline anglers are still catching 12-16” rainbows and the boaters are catching walleyes. The boat ramp opened in March and the dock was also installed. 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 rise. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for bass and walleye. We also advise boaters to wear your PFD. For camping information call the Visitor’s Center at 719-846-6951.

Twin Lakes Reservoirs (Lake County)
Here is what everybody at Colorado Fly Fishing Guides is saying about Twin Lakes:  "Twin Lakes has become ice free. Water temperatures are still cold, but fishing for rainbows and cutthroats should start to pick up soon.  Also, this is the time of year to fish big baits and lures to target big mackinaw, as they will move to the shallows to feed on fry.  Big rapalas, flatfish, and sucker meat are common approaches to hook these monsters.  The boat ramp at Twin Lakes is scheduled to open on May 18th."