Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

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Adobe Creek Res. (Blue Lake) -- The low-water ramp is the only usable boat ramp. Fishing for catfish and green sunfish is fair from shore. Small numbers of white bass are being caught. A fire ban is in effect for Blue Lake. 

Antero Reservoir -- Denver Water's drawdown is complete and the level is down two feet. The water is clearing. The temperature is about 61 degrees and weed growth is becoming significant. Fishing remains generally good. PowerBait and Gulp produce for bait fishermen; small Rapalas and HDs for spin-casters. Large sedges and damselflies produce for fly fishermen. Fishing tends to be better away from shore. Operation of the south boat ramp has been reduced to Friday through Monday. The north ramp remains open seven days a week. Only small trailered boats, canoes and other small craft can access the south ramp. Boats of any size can use the north ramp. Boating hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. 

Arkansas River (Buena Vista to Salida) -- Browns Canyon is a busy place this time of year but the fishing has been very productive. Pale morning dun hatches in the afternoons and caddis late in the day are topping the hatch chart. Nymph in the mornings with a small dark stonefly or flashback pheasant tail. 

Arkansas River (Leadville to Buena Vista) -- The upper Arkansas River is in beautiful condition with 215 cfs in Hayden Meadows and 892 cfs in the Granite Gorge. Fish are working yellow sally stoneflies, pale morning dun mayflies, caddis and some green/grey drakes. At these flows, fish are starting to move off the edges and take more full advantage of the riverbed structure. 

Arkansas River (Salida to Canon City) -- Bighorn Sheep Canyon is mostly clear, with the occasional summer thunderstorm creating a little murk. Fish are onto yellow sallies, pale morning duns and caddis but will rise to big attractor dries throughout most of the day. With flow of 1340 cfs (7/30), the river is still higher than normal but is slowly receding into August. Expect a great late summer and fall on this section of river. 

Bonny Reservoir -- Latest word is that a fisherman from Burlington weighed in a 17-pound (new state record) flathead catfish at Safeway over the weekend and released it back at Bonny. Confirmation is pending. Fishing is fair to good for all species. A few walleye are being taken on Lindy Rigs with worms or leeches. A good number of catfish are taken on typical baits. A few people using jugs. Emergency fishing regulations are in effect: No daily bag, possession or size limits apply to any game fish. Any taking over the standard bag or possession limit requires filling out a form when leaving the lake. Forms are available at the Visitor Center, Foster Grove and the northeast corner of the dam on self-serve signs. Most boats are launching without trouble, Boat ramp depth is 4 feet. 

Catamount Reservoirs, North & South -- South Catamount Reservoir will provide anglers with good to excellent fishing. Fishermen are having their best luck fishing worms, both off the bottom, and under a few feet from the surface. Water at South Cat is lower than at Crystal and North Catamount reservoirs, but the fishery continues to hold strong numbers of catchable-size trout. North Catamount offers anglers exceptional opportunities to catch limits of catchable trout, with a good possibility of catching a fish in the 15- to 18-inch range. Anglers are having the most success using flies that represent various stages of the mayfly hatch. Water levels remain low in the reservoir, but the fishing remains good to excellent. Please remember that North Cat is flies-and-lures only. 

Cheesman Reservoir -- Cheesman Reservoir will remain closed to public access through 2011 while Denver Water completes upgrades to the dam. The Gill Trail through Cheesman Canyon remains open for walk-in access to the South Platte River. The reservoir is expected to reopen next year. 

Clear Creek Reservoir -- Fishing remains spotty. Worms trolled with cow bells have taken some limits of trout, and Woolly Bugger flies trolled with lead-core line at depths of 10-15 feet produced large numbers of caught-and-released trout. Worms fished from shore near the creek inlet also worked well. Daytime temperatures in the low 80s apparently have driven trout to lower, colder depths and stirred tiger muskies and kokanee into greater, though still modest, activity. Afternoon winds have picked up a little but still are mild enough for comfortable fishing. 

Crystal Creek Reservoir -- Fishing at Crystal Reservoir should be good to excellent. Most anglers are having success with PowerBait and worms fished a few feet off the bottom. Water levels remain low, but that has not affected the fishing. Easy access and proximity to the Pikes Peak gift shop make Crystal Reservoir a great place for family outings. 

Crystal Lake -- This small, flies-and-lures-only lake is just a few miles south of Leadville on Highway 24. It is stocked with catchable rainbows and sometimes cutthroats. Lots of those fish continue to be caught. Small browns were stocked in May and brook trout are present in lower numbers. Fishing results recently have improved. Submerged vegetation in this very shallow body of water makes it difficult to fish with lures except near the outlet. 

Eleven Mile Reservoir -- The north-shore and Witcher's Cove ramps are open. Trout fishing is good to excellent. Sunset to sunrise seems to be the most productive time, with great action between midnight and 2 a.m. on the south side of the reservoir. During the daytime, action seems best near the main boat ramp and Coyote Ridge. Various colors of PowerBait, Kastmasters, Tasmanian Devils, micro jigs, worms combined with marshmallows, and salmon eggs are producing the best results. Trolling with pink or orange Eppinger's Devle Dog Pup spoons has been very good. Kokanee salmon have been hitting on Wedding Rings with Pop Gear. Pike fishing is good. Some nice-sized pike are turning up, with the most productive area being the west end of the reservoir. Large tube jigs, Husky Jerks and rainbow Dardevles are working well. 

Hayden Meadows Reservoir -- Fishing success remains only fair with PowerBait and flies. This small reservoir is just off Highway 24 at the Arkansas River crossing south of Leadville. The reservoir is stocked heavily each summer and fish carry over to the following spring. Fishermen's success is usually good after stocking. 

Holbrook Lake -- Fishing is slow for all species. Holbrook has had various stages of water levels the past five years, ranging from completely full to almost dry. Currently the level is low. As a result, fisheries management has been very difficult. From year to year, various fishing opportunities may exist at Holbrook as fish enter through the canal system, but formal fisheries management will only resume when the risk of lake depletion has been minimized to the point where fish stocking can be successful. 

Horseshoe Reservoir -- Shore fishermen are catching trout on various colors of PowerBait and worms. Multiple reports came in of tiger muskie being caught, and of walleyes and bass from the shore and from boats. The lake is open to boating from sunrise to sunset. All vessels must be inspected when entering and exiting the lake. 

Hugo Ponds -- Fishing is slow for all species mid-day. Anglers wanting to catch largemouth bass, bluegill and channel catfish should consider fishing early evening and at night. 

Jacksons Pond -- Jackson's Pond is an 8-acre pond immediately south of the town of Eads. It is seasonally stocked with catchable rainbow trout. Other species available include largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, crappie, bluegill, channel catfish and carp. Fishing has been fair for trout and slow for all other species 

Jefferson Lake -- Fishing for recently stocked and occasionally larger trout has been fairly good on night crawlers, salmon eggs, PowerBait and Dardevle-type spoons. Some mackinaw also are being taken from shore, but most have been relatively small. Larger ones are in deeper water and might be available to fishermen using float tubes. 

John Martin Reservoir -- The water level is dropping 4-5 inches a day as Kansas draws its water from the reservoir. White bass have been hitting Mister Twisters early in the morning. Few saugeyes are being taken, but crappie are hitting small jigs and night crawlers around structure early in the morning. A few catfish are being taken in the spillway, primarily on shad. The west boat ramp no longer is open; the east ramp remains in use, but low-profile vehicles and deep-drafting boats might have some difficulty launching. All gasoline-powered vessels must be inspected prior to launching. All fires and fireworks are prohibited. 

Karval and Kinney Lakes -- Fishing pressure is light at Karval Lake. The best fishing should be in evening and at night, using night crawlers for channel catfish and bluegill. Water is currently murky due to recent rainfall. Anglers fishing Kinney Lake will be more successful in evening and at night. Night crawlers should be the bait of choice for bluegills and channel catfish. Another good choice for channel cats would be stink baits. 

Lake Henry -- Water levels are good, although the water has dropped some due to irrigation needs. The boat ramp is in good shape. Fishing for catfish is fair to good. A fire ban is in effect. 

Lake Meredith -- Water levels have recently increased due to runoff, but will likely soon decrease to meet irrigation demands. Fishing for wipers is slow to fair, with an occasional channel catfish also being caught. A fire ban is in effect. 

Manitou Lake -- Fishing success at Manitou Lake remains below average. However, limits of catchable trout are still possible. Anglers are having the most success are using night crawlers fished a few feet from the bottom. Manitou Lake continues to be a wonderful facility for family outings. Easy access, clean restrooms, and numerous picnic areas make Manitou Lake a great family destination.

Martin Lake -- Trout continue to bite on PowerBait and night crawlers. Pike are being caught on various colors of spoons. Some fishermen reported last week that the walleyes were biting on jigs of various colors. Boaters are reminded that ramps are open from sunrise to sunset. All vessels need to be inspected when entering and exiting the park. 

Midwestern Pond -- Midwestern Farms Pond is a 35-acre lake located six miles east of Granada on Highway 50. This deep pond has been stocked with rainbow trout, smallmouth bass, largemouth bass, saugeye, crappie, wiper, striper, yellow perch and bluegill. Fishing has been fair for rainbow trout and slow for all other species. No fireworks are allowed. 

Montgomery Reservoir -- The small lake at the foot of Hoosier Pass will remain closed to fishing through 2011 so that repairs to the outlet can be completed. 

Mt. Elbert Forebay -- Fishing success for shore fishermen is good in the evenings and still downright slow mid-day. Reports of a 40- to 42-inch-long, 25-pound mackinaw being caught several weeks ago are still circulating. The fish was reportedly caught by a 14-year-old young man using PowerBait, color unknown, from shore. The lake is stocked with catchable-sized rainbows and cutthroats from late May through August. The mack limit is one fish, and all fish between 22 and 34 inches must be released. Carry-on boats and float tubes are permitted on the Forebay, but boaters should be aware of possible dramatic fluctuations of the water level. 

Nee Gronda Reservoir -- Currently, there is no usable boat launching facility available at Nee Gronda; hand-launch boating only. Following the severe fish kill of 2009-2010, the lake has been restocked with all species. Spring sampling revealed fair numbers of channel catfish and wipers available to anglers. All fires are prohibited. 

Nee Noshe Reservoir -- Nee Noshe is very low. Currently, no boat launching facility exists at Nee Noshe. Fall inventory sampling by DOW aquatic staff revealed no fish present. Water quality is very poor. If no fresh water is added, Nee Noshe could go dry in the near future. All fires are prohibited. 

Nichols Reservoir -- Nichols is accessed by a 1.8-mile hiking trail leading down from the Rampart Reservoir dam. Fishing success has been good for pan-sized trout. Most anglers are reporting catches using PowerBait and night crawlers. 

Pueblo Reservoir -- The water level has come down a little but remains very good. Clarity also is good. Fishing for all warm-water species has been good, especially in the west end. Bass, wipers, crappie and some walleyes have been hitting on jigs and leeches around the brushy areas. Walleyes also are being taken on worm harnesses and jigs near the dam. Smallmouth bass are being taken on tube jigs and soft-plastic grubs along the rock walls. Recreational boating traffic on the main part of the lake has been very heavy. 

Queens Reservoirs -- Upper and Lower Queens reservoirs are dry. Fires and fireworks are prohibited. 

Rampart Reservoir -- Angling at Rampart remains fair for shore anglers for catchable trout, with the action slowing for lakers. Most success has been by anglers fishing from boats. The DOW would like to thank boaters for their cooperation in the watercraft inspection program. 

Rosemont Reservoir -- Anglers are reminded that this is a fly and lure only water. Quite a bit of action is reported on Pistol Petes and green/white Tasmanian Devils. 

Skaguay Reservoir -- Fishing is fair to good for stocker rainbow trout and a few cutthroats and browns. Fish recently have been hitting flies, baits and smaller lures. A few northern pike also are showing up in the bag, but most are small. The water level is up due to recent rain and is about 17 inches below full. Water in West Beaver Creek below the dam is high and roily, due to the same heavy rains. Fishing there is fair for small browns and an occasional cutthroat. Flies are the most consistent. 

South Platte River (btwn Spinney and Eleven Mile) -- The flow was holding steady at 308 cfs on Aug. 8. Trout action has been good with fishermen seeing plenty of action. Various fly patterns working: San Juan worms, scuds, caddis larvae and pupae, cranefly larvae, Barr's Emergers, Flashbacks and hoppers. The South Platte between Spinney Mountain and Eleven Mile reservoirs is catch-and-release fishing only, by artificial flies and lures only. 

South Platte River, Elevenmile Canyon -- The darn flows just won't break lower than 300 cfs. Every time they look like they will come down they bounce upward, recently nearing 350 cfs. Trico mayflies, pale morning duns (back strong after a short respite) and caddis are all still hatching. Flies: Trico dun, spinner and drowned spinner patterns (#22-24) are all working throughout the morning. The PMDs are coming off around 11 a.m. Caddis dries (#16-18) and Graphic Caddis (#16-18), along with many attractor dry flies such as H&L Variants and Royal Wulffs; and terrestrials like hoppers and ants will work in the afternoon. Please remember that Elevenmile Canyon regulations are flies and lures, catch-and-release only, upstream of Springer Gulch Bridge. Lots of illegal fishing is happening in this area. 

Spinney Mountain Reservoir -- The lake is full. Both boat ramps are open. Fishing is good from the shore and from boats with Tasmanian Devils, Zebras, San Juan worms, Rapalas and tube jigs. Pike action is spiking, with trophies being produced every week. Good fishing on the Dream Stream below the dam using San Juan worms, scuds, midges, Woolly Buggers and caddis pupae. Spinney Mountain Reservoir fishing is with artificial flies and lures only. Bag limit for all species of trout is one fish 20 inches or larger. No limit on northern pike. Spinney is open 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset, with no boating or fishing past half-an-hour after sunset. Boat inspections are required for all trailered vessels before entering the state park. 

Thurston Reservoir -- Thurston Reservoir currently has good water levels. Fishing has been fair for largemouth bass; slow for all other species. Fireworks are prohibited. 

Trinidad Reservoir -- Trinidad Lake is at about 512 surface acres, with a surface temp of 67. Fishing continues to be great. A lot of nice rainbows and walleyes are being caught, with boaters getting into some bass and perch. Catfish are still steady. Most people are using PowerBait or dough balls for the trout and walleyes are being caught in the deep water. Catfish are hitting best on chicken liver. Remember you are not allowed to launch your boat without it being inspected first! Boaters beware of floating debris and unmarked hazards as the water level continues to drop. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for bass and walleye. We also advise boaters to wear their PFDs. For further information call the visitors center at 719-846-6951. 

Turquoise Lake -- Fishing is slow to fair as the doldrums of August take hold. Some better catch rates are reported in spots like the inlet. PowerBait is still the preferred bait, but some claim worms are the only thing working. The lake is stocked on a regular basis during the summer with catchable-size rainbows and cutthroat trout. The south and east shorelines usually offer good fishing for mackinaw. The limit for mackinaw is two out of the total four-fish limit, with no size restriction. 

Twin Lakes -- Water levels in the two lakes are still probably as high as they will get this year. Lots of previously shoreline vegetation now is submerged and attracting fish. Fishing around willows that are below the water line can be good. As usual, the catching still is fair to good for catchable-sized rainbows on worms and hardware below the power plant. Boat inspections are conducted at the Dexter Point ramp from 6 a.m. to dark, seven days a week during the summer season. The mackinaw population continues to improve. 

Two Buttes Reservoir -- Two Buttes Reservoir currently is dry. When the lake refills, fish stocking will resume. Anglers can still fish the Black Hole pond below the dam for trout (seasonal), bass, bluegill and catfish. 

Wrights Lake -- Wrights Lake, six miles west of Nathrop, is flies-and-lures only. Fishing has been very consistent from May through the early part of June. Most anglers use flies with a fly rod or fly-and-bubble setup. Lure fishing has been slower. The extreme west shore is private, so avoid that end of the lake.