Fishing Report - Southeast (9/24)

Regions: Denver Metro, Northeast, Southeast, Northwest, Southwest

Adobe Creek Reservoir/Blue Lake (Kiowa and Bent Counties)
Fishing is slow for all species. Some channel catfish being caught, primarily on jug and trot lines. One lower boat ramp is still usable. The fire ban is still in effect.

Arkansas River (Lake, Chaffee and Fremont Counties)
On the upper Ark between Two Bit Gulch and Hayden Meadows has been fair. During the morning, fly fishermen had some success by employing a blue winged olive below Kobe Bridge. Brown trout were taking prince nymphs and RS2 flies in the afternoon at Hayden Meadows.  Midday water temperatures have been between 48 and 51 degrees. For the Balltown to Granite reach of the Arkansas River, fishing has been fair to good.  Anglers reported catching several brown trout near Granite on Sept. 17. However, three anglers fishing near Granite on Sept. 23 did not catch any fish. Midday water temperatures have been in the low 50’s. Between Otero and Railroad Bridges, fishing has been fair. Anglers reported success with trout taking blue winged olives and two bit hookers.

Here's an update from Greg at ArkAnglers: "Fishing on the Arkansas River has been stellar over the last week as brown trout feed hard in preparation for the spawn and the (hopefully) long hard winter. Blue wing olive mayflies continue to hold center stage with daily nymphal drifts and strong hatches on those days with some cloud cover. The nymph activity from noon to 4 p.m. drives fish into the fast, broken water where many mayfly nymphs reside and where trout can snatch them as they come off the bottom. Despite the quantity of mayflies available, this phenomenon does not lead to selective feeding – anything plausible drifted in this water will take fish during these times. If clouds lead to a significant mayfly hatch, fish will then key onto the adults on the surface and a proper imitation becomes more critical. Outside of the afternoon, look for fish to be working midge larvae and pupae early in the morning and to take up ambush positions along the edges in the evenings."

Brush Hollow Reservoir (Fremont County)
Fishing is slow. Boat ramp is inaccessible due to low water levels.

Clear Creek Reservoir (Chaffee County)
The end of summer has now become the beginning of fall and fishing has generally slowed down.  Weather has become milder with both temperature and winds more moderate, and the number of fishermen on both shore and from boats has decreased. Small spinner lures, spoons, and flies fished two or three feet below the surface have been producing the best results. Most fish caught have been smaller trout, but with increasing numbers of Kokanee salmon. The latter have the beginning of the “hooked beak” upper jaw characteristic to spawning, and a few are also beginning to show the red spawning coloration, too. Quarter-ounce Kastmaster spoons with a color pattern similar to a rainbow trout have done well, either trolled or cast while drift fishing. Wooly Bugger flies about an inch long (either a green or black pattern) trolled or fished with a bubble and spinning tackle have also had decent results; two or three people have used an Elk Hair Caddis pattern and done reasonably well. One fly fisherman had the biggest number of fish caught this past week but declined to share the fly pattern he used - who has not done the same sometime?  Or at least thought of doing it. PowerBait fished from shore has produced limit catches in an hour or so, with some of the trout in the 14 inch range. No more Tiger Muskies have been reported caught or hooked. Please note the last day of the season the lake is open to trailered boats is Sept. 30, after which it remains open to shore and ice fishing, and to water craft that can be carried by hand to the water such as canoes, kayaks, and belly boats. This final week, Clear Creek Reservoir is open to trailered, powered boats Thursday, Sept. 27 through Sunday, Sept. 30 from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m.
 
DeWeese Reservoir (Custer County)
Fishing has been slow. Remember, 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)
Water levels have dropped and the boat ramp at Henry is now unusable. Fishing for catfish has been good.  Anglers are catching catfish using a variety of baits.  Small numbers of bullhead and carp are being caught.

John Martin Reservoir State Park (Bent County)
Trotlines in the main lake are producing some catfish and a few catfish are coming out of the spillway. Fishing for other species on the reservoir is gradually getting better as the weather cools off, although it could still be considered only fair. The white bass are still biting and the crappie bite should start to pick up. Current water temperature is 63 degrees.

Lake Pueblo State Park (Pueblo County)
Cooler temperatures but not enough moisture to raise the low water levels. Boaters are still being advised to avoid newly exposed hazards that are appearing as the water drops. Live baits are doing well for catfish from shore, especially at night. Morning is the best time for other species. Try a dull-colored lure or PowerBait (garlic and rainbow are local favorites). Below the dam, fly fisherman are having success catching trout. With low water levels, large fish are confined to riffles and deeper areas of the river.

Martin Lake and Horseshoe Lake, Lathrop State Park (Huerfano County)
Horseshoe Lake and Martin Lake were stocked this past week. The fishing and the fall weather are great at Lathrop State Park.

Meredith Reservoir (Crowley County)
Boat ramps at Meredith are now both unusable. Fishing for catfish has been fair at Meredith.  Fishing for wipers is fair. Fishing for other species is slow.

Turquoise Reservoir (Lake County)
Fishing from a boat has been very productive. All boaters interviewed caught trout. On Sept. 21, three out of the four boaters caught eight or more trout that day. Boaters experienced success trolling a cowbell rig near the shoreline of Abe Lee. On the other hand, fishing from shore remains very lethargic. Only two out of the six interviewed anglers caught trout from shore with one angler catching multiple trout. The angler who caught multiple trout from shore was using a golden kastmaster at the corner of Sugarloaf Dam. No lake trout were reported being caught, although boat anglers did report landing a plethora of rainbow trout. The final day for motorized boating is Sept. 30. Boating hours this week are from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.  Without the aid of a dock at Matchless boat ramp, boat launching might be a more onerous task. The reservoir is approximately 20 ft below maximum capacity with surface water temperatures in the low 60’s.

Trinidad Lake State Park (Las Animas County)
Trinidad Lake is approximately 435 surface acres with the surface temp about 68 degrees. Fishing has picked up tremendously the last couple of weeks. We are seeing lots of nice rainbow trout and some walleye being caught. Night crawlers, bright colored PowerBait, and chicken liver seems to still be working the best. Remember as the cooler weather sets in the bigger fish start to show up!!! 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. For more information call the Visitor’s Center at 719-846-6951.

Twin Lakes Reservoirs (Lake County)
Fishing is slow but should start picking up now that the calendar and the temperatures are turning to fall.