Fishing Report - Southeast (4/30)
2012-13 fishing licenses on sale now!
Regions: Southwest, Northwest, Northeast, Denver Metro
Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)
The fishing for crappie is good both from shore and by boat. A few channel catfish and wiper are also being caught. The preferred bait at Blue Lake seems to be live minnows; small jigs are also working well.
Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)
Here's what the folks at ArkAnglers are saying about conditions on the Arkansas River: "The Arkansas went through a little turmoil late last week with hot weather inducing a brief episode of tributary melt. A cool weekend ended that and the river is now clear and flowing about 350 cfs at Wellsville. With temperatures through the weekend ahead forecast to be in the 70s, we expect warm water and caddis but little or no melt. When the caddis hatch went into remission last Thursday, it was centered between Cotopaxi and Howard with some bugs as far upstream as Salida. Given the forecast, the hatch will renew its upstream progress Monday and may well be into Browns Canyon by the weekend. Check with us for updates. Meanwhile, we continue to enjoy strong midge action in the mornings and blue wing olive mayflies in the afternoon. Most often, we are fishing these imitations behind a stonefly or attractor nymph and finding fish feeding in half-speed or accelerating water. Late in the day, a big attractor dry or skittering caddis will take a lot of browns out of ambush lies along the banks."
Headed to the Upper Ark between Leadville and Buena Vista? The guides over at Colorado Fly Fishing Guides tell us that "After some chilly temperatures over the weekend in the high country, we are looking forward to the warmer forecasted highs in the coming week. This should encourage accelerated bug activity, and as a result will offer trout broader feeding windows. In the a.m. nymphing tandem rigs with a stonefly lead will produce. As the air temps warm the bugs will rise in the water column and begin to emerge, and the fish will follow. Usually late mornings into early afternoons is a good time to try dry/dropper techniques with typical parachute patterns taking fish with regularity on top, and caddis pupa or b.w.o. emergers for a dropper. Anticipation for the caddis is growing."
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.
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)
Fishing for crappie is fair. The crappie bite does seem to be improving with moderating temperatures. Fishing for wiper and catfish is also fair.
John Martin Reservoir State Park (Bent County)
Fishing on the reservoir is heating up. The crappie bite has started, along with the saugeye. They are both being caught close to shore along the south side, and along the rocks north of the damn. Crappie are biting on red jig heads, with a crawler, and the saugeyes are being caught with several color Mr. Twisters, along with minnows. Small Mouth bite has also starting on the reservoir. Main lake is 62 degrees. The stilling basin is still a hot spot for catfish, as well as wipers, carp and a few crappie. The catfish are being caught on chicken liver. Lake Hasty is still producing a reliable trout catch using power bait.
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 for Wiper is good with an occasional channel cat fish being caught. The crappie bite at Meredith is fair to good and seems to be improving with the moderating temperatures.
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)
Tim at Colorado Fly Fishing Guides offers the latest info on Turquoise: "The ice has come off of Turquoise. Beware, there is still some ice lingering near some of the rim, and some ice and snow on some of the banks with limited exposure. The road is completely open to traffic, but campgrounds, boat ramp, and other amenities are still closed. The fishing should pick up soon at Turquoise. Turquoise is scheduled to open to boating on May 25.
Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)
Trinidad Lake is approximately 715 surface acres and the surface temp is holding at about 51 degrees. Fishing was great this past week and should only keep getting better. Both boaters and shoreline anglers were catching large rainbows. Boaters are also reeling in some nice walleye and bass, still fishing deep water. 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 Tim at Colorado Fly Fishing Guides is saying about Twin Lakes: "Water temperatures should start to rise and reports of bigger macs (lake trout) being landed are coming in. Bigger baits and lures should be utilized for the mackinaw. Try powerbait, nightcrawlers, or kastmasters for rainbows and cutthroats at the power plant and near the dam or boat ramp. Also, for the fly fisherman, it's not a bad idea to strip streamers as these can be quite productive this time of year. Boat ramp is scheduled to open May 18.
Anglers wishing to contribute information to the weekly fishing report should submit their fishing tips or conditions reports to fish.reporter@state.co.us. The deadline for the weekly fishing report is Mondays at 5 p.m.
Have a suggestion for the fishing report, email us at fish.reporter@state.co.us.
