Southeast Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

October 20, 2009

Adobe Creek Res. (Blue Lake) -- As the 2009 fishing season comes to a close at Blue Lake, anglers can look forward to continued good cat fishing, as well as growing populations of saugeye, crappie, and wiper. Fall fishing should remain good for catfish. Winter water storage should replenish the lake and provide good access and fishing when spring arrives.

Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) -- Flows have risen a bit more and we now have close to 400 cfs flowing through Browns Canyon. Many fish in this reach have already spawned - if the weather remains warm, they will resume feeding, if it gets cold, they will migrate into deep water and hole up for the winter. Nymphing deep slow/mid speed holes is the best approach at this time.

Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) -- The upper river is low, clear and cold - about 221 cfs at Granite and hovering in the upper 30s to low 40s. Nymphing in deeper, slower winter holding water is the most productive approach. Warm afternoons may still draw some fish into riffly water to feed on mayfly nymphs but that phenomenon is winding up. All told, fishing downstream is more consistent at this time of year.

Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) -- The Arkansas River through Bighorn Sheep Canyon is still fishing well with the best activity being from 1:00 to 4:00. Look for fish to move into edge-water seams and riffles to feed on mayfly nymph/emergers at that time. Mornings we are going deep in slow water with midge patterns. The spawn is underway - if it stays warm, fish will resume feeding.

Bonny Reservoir -- Due to budget cuts, the boat ramps have closed and will re-open in the spring as water levels permit. Not much shore fishing this last week with the unchanging weather. Catfish should still be biting on the north shore. For the most current conditions on what is open or closed at the lake, please visit the Colorado State Parks-Bonny website and click on the conditions page.

DeWeese Reservoir -- DeWeese is still good for trout, but is flashy from day to day. Most fish are in the 12-inch class but we are seeing some occasional 16-18 inch fish. It too will be good until ice up and then will have good ice fishing all winter.

Doug Kissel Pond -- Trout have been recently stocked. Water temperature is about 50 degrees.

Eleven Mile Reservoir -- The action at Eleven Mile Reservoir remains Excellent! The north shore boat ramp is currently the only boat ramp open, with mandatory inspections for aquatic nuisance species. Shoreline and boat anglers are catching lots of very large Rainbow and Brown trout on tube jigs, salmon peach power bait, and streamer patterns. Anglers looking to snag Kokanee should be pleased to know that marginal limits of fish (4-6) have been reported along the North Shore and Coyote Ridge coves. Angler success for Northern pike has been fair for those willing to focus along corral and Witcher's coves. The limit for trout is four fish, of which only two can be 16 inches or longer. The possession limit is the same as the daily bag. No live minnows may be used.

Fountain Lake -- Like other urban lakes in Pueblo, this one is stocked with catchable trout through much of the year except during the heat of summer. Most standard baits and lures are effective. Fishing has been good for catchable trout. They are all still being stocked on a regular basis and fishing will remain good throughout the fall. The lake also has some catfish that can grow quite large.

Horseshoe Reservoir -- Fishing activity on Horseshoe has been very slow over the past week due to the cold weather. There have been a few people fishing from the north side and there have not been any boats to speak of. Expect to see the dock pulled within the week. Boat inspections will continue to be conducted until October 31, when the lake will be closed completely to all trailered watercraft. Hunting season has begun. Pay special attention when you are recreating on the west side of the park near Horseshoe, as this area is currently open to waterfowl hunting.

Hugo Pond -- North pond on Hugo State Wildlife Area has been stocked w/trout. Catch rate for stocked trout is good at the north pond using all baits.

John Martin Reservoir -- Fishing is generally slow. There are reports of saugeye being caught from boats. The East boat ramp is usable, trailer launched boats are required to be launched from boat ramps.

Karval and Kinney lakes -- Rainbow trout have been recently stocked in Karval and Kinney Lakes. Fishing is good for stocked trout on all baits at Kinney Lake.

Lake Henry -- Lake Henry water levels are currently low. Fishing for all species is currently slow. Water levels should improve as irrigating season concludes. Henry lake has good populations of catfish and crappie. Saugeye and wiper are also available.

Lake Meredith -- Meredith Lake closes to public access from November 1, 2009 until the last day of the regular waterfowl hunting season. Meredith will reopen next spring to provide good opportunity for saugeye, wiper, crappie, and catfish. Fall reservoir sampling revealed good populations of these species exist in the lake.

Martin Lake -- Trout fishing has picked up quite a bit. Power bait and worms are bringing people the most luck. There were several reports of trout being caught from the south side of the lake as well as the west side. Boat traffic has been minimal. The lake will be completely closed to all trailered watercraft beginning November 1st, because it has an invasive plant, Eurasian Watermilfoil.  Remember to discard of any plant material found on your boat, boat trailer, and fishing hooks away from the water before you leave the park to avoid spreading this plant.

Monument Reservoir -- The reclamation at Monument Reservoir is now completed. There is no fishing at this time. We expect to restock by mid to late October.

Nee Gronda Reservoir -- As the 2009 fishing season comes to a close, anglers are reminded that public access is restricted from Nov. 1, 2009 until April 1, 2010 (area may reopen early if goose numbers are low). The remaining weeks in October provide good opportunity to catch white bass, wipers and an occasional saugeye. Spring 2010 promises to be good for saugeye, white bass, wiper, crappie, and catfish. Water levels will be lower, but boat access should remain available from the east boat ramp.

Nee Noshe Reservoir -- Public access is restricted from November 1, 2009 until April 1, 2010 (Area may reopen early if goose numbers are low). Catfish and wiper are the main species available at Nee Noshe, although other species are stocked as well. Fishing conditions may deteriorate at Nee Noshe as water levels decline. Boat access may be difficult when the lake reopens in spring.

North Lake -- North Lake is still being stocked and fishing for catchable trout should be good at this time. Fishermen may use only artificial flies and lures at North Lake.

Pueblo Reservoir -- The reservoir is good for bass, catfish, and wipers. Fish should be on top water for another 30 days or so and then guys will start spooning deeper schools of fish. Boaters should be aware of aquatic nuisance species inspection at the reservoir. Check with the state-parks office for complete information.

Queens Reservoirs -- Upper and Lower Queens reservoirs are dry.

Runyon Lake -- This is one of several Pueblo-area lakes stocked with catchable-size trout through much of the year. Try night crawlers, Power Bait, salmon eggs and a variety of small spinning lures. The lake also has some channel catfish that can grow to impressive size.

San Isabel Lake -- Fishing is fair to good at this time for catchable trout. The lake also has some brown trout and splake, but those populations are low and fish growth is poor. The lake also has some European Rudd, which are goldfish-looking fish, of unknown origin. Fishermen are asked to remove all of those they catch from the lake. San Isabel will get good ice likely by mid December and then be good ice fishing throughout the winter.

South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Eleven Mile) -- The "Dream Stream" is fishing great for large fish with different colored egg patterns, mercury rs2 emergers, black beauties ,and blood midges in sizes 18-24! Anglers can expect peak fishing times to vary as resident fish move up the stream. Generally, most anglers have reported mid morning and early afternoon as the best times to fish. Anglers should also try throwing brown and black egg sucking leeches in sizes 8-10. When planning a trip to this section of gold medal water, don't forget the gore-tex, and warm fishing gloves due to fall weather patterns. The stream is Gold Medal Water. Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only, and catch-and-release rules apply. The current flow as of 10/13/09 is 75.8 CFS.

Spinney Mountain Reservoir -- Mandatory boat inspections for aquatic nuisance species are required for all trailered vessels. Boaters can be prepared by cleaning, draining and drying all compartments and tanks before arriving. With the onset of fall, trout fishing has been nothing short of excellent! Anglers have been catching large Rainbows, cuttbows and Browns throughout the day with peak times consisting of mid-morning and afternoon. Anglers have been doing very well with egg patterns, tube jigs, and Kastmasters. Fishing for pike remains fair with tube jigs, and suspending swim baits. Boating is allowed from 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. The park is locked one hour after sunset. The bag and possession limit is one trout at least 20 inches long.

Trinidad Reservoir -- Historically, Trinidad Lake’s fishing remains good during the winter. Fishing for Trout, Walleye, and Yellow Perch seems to get better as the water cools. The boat dock will be removed in November or December and will not return until next spring. Ice may form on the lake. However, this usually does not occur until about Christmas or New Year’s. The lake does not ice over every year. Give your boats a good cleaning this winter so they are ready for ANS inspections next season. Remember to check the DOW regs for size restrictions and limits at Trinidad Lake. Camping is available year round with limited facilities. Contact the Visitor’s Center for information on ice and fishing conditions as well as camping availability at Trinidad Lake State Park at 719-846-6951.

Turks Pond -- Turks Pond is closed to public access until spring. Water levels should be higher when the pond reopens in the spring.

Two Buttes Reservoir -- Two Buttes Reservoir currently has very low water levels. Conditions will be re-evaluated in the spring to determine if fish stocking will resume.