Colorado Area Fishing - Southeast Colorado
15. PIKES PEAK NORTH SLOPE RESERVOIRS: The fishery at Crystal Creek includes rainbow trout, snake river cutthroat trout and brook trout. An occasional lake trout can also be caught in this reservoir. Catch rates here should be high with the creel-sized rainbow or Snake River cutthroat being caught most often. South Catamount contains rainbow, brook and lake trout, and Snake River and Pikes Peak cutthroat. Huge lake trout in excess of 10 pounds cruise North Catamount and catch rates for smaller lakers can be very high. Boating access is limited to carry-in craft that are hand, wind or electric propelled. Much of the reservoir's access is by foot and the area is a day-use only area. Location: From Colorado Springs west on Highway 24 to Cascade, then south on the Pikes Peak Toll Road to the reservoirs.

16. TURQUOISE AND TWIN LAKES: Two of the most scenic reservoirs in Colorado are located at the base of the Continental Divide. Both of these sites have excellent campgrounds and boat ramps. Turquoise offers rainbow, brown, cutthroat and lake trout fishing. Twin Lakes is noted for lunker lakers. Fishing is also good for rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Location: Turquoise is 4 miles west of Leadville. Twin Lakes is 17 miles north of Buena Vista, then 6 miles west on Highway 82.

17. CLEAR CREEK RESERVOIR: This reservoir produces regular catches of nice-sized brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. The kokanee salmon fishery is improving with a good fall run up Clear Creek. A boat ramp and other facilities are good with camping available nearby. Location: 13 miles north of Buena Vista on Highway 285.

18. PLAlNS WARMWATER FISHERIES: There are exciting opportunities to angle along the lower Arkansas River and at Bonny Reservoir. Species in the area include bass, tiger muskie, saugeye, crappie, walleye, wipers, catfish and others in reservoirs . Other noteworthy plains reservoirs include: Henry (catfish, wipers), John Martin (crappie, saugeye, wipers, large and smallmouth bass, catfish), Adobe Creek or Blue Lake (crappie, channel and blue catfish), Horse Creek or Timber (catfish), and NeeNoshe and NeeGronda (crappie, catfish, saugeye, wipers and white bass).

19. ARKANSAS RIVER: This is a classic western trout stream with 80 miles of challenging and scenic water from its headwaters above Leadville to Pueblo Reservoir. The Arkansas boasts high catches of browns and rainbows up to 20 inches in length. Browns dominate the fishery. Notable areas include the strecth from Brown's Canyon to Granite, several miles downstream of Salida.

20. PUEBLO RESERVOIR: This reservoir has been and continues to be one of the most popular destinations for anglers in southeast Colorado. High catch rates on largemouth and smallmouth bass provide an excellent recreational fishery. Large numbers of walleye inhabit the reservoir and fishing is good for walleye ranging from 14 to 30 inches in length. The reservoir has an 18-inch-length limit on walleye, so plan on releasing the small ones. The wiper fishery in Pueblo is underutilized with large schools of wipers from one to ten pounds roaming the depths of the reservoir. State Parks pass required. Location: West of Pueblo on Highway 50 to Pueblo Blvd. , then south to Thatcher Ave., then west to entrance.

21. TRINIDAD RESERVOIR: This 700-acre reservoir has been a sleeper for many years. A good boat ramp provides access to the reservoir at all water levels. Fishing in Trinidad covers a wide range of species including rainbow trout, yellow perch, channel catfish, saugeye, largemouth and smallmouth bass. The warm-water fishery is just now developing and saugeye, yellow perch, catfish and even bass. State Parks pass required. Location: Highway 12 west of Trinidad on Highway 12.

22. SANCHEZ RESERVOIR SWA: A growing population of yellow perch, northern pike and walleye are providing excellent fishing opportunities at this cool-water fishery in the San Luis Valley. Quality-sized yellow perch and trophy northern pike dominate the catch with a few walleye being caught by the persistent anglers. Fishing is best following ice melt in May and June. A concrete boat ramp allows easy launching of boats. Camping is allowed east of the boat ramp area. Location: From San Luis, go 3 miles east on Highway 152 to Highway 242, then 5.2 miles south .

23. CONEJOS RIVER: The Conejos River is a tributary to the Rio Grande. The lower section from Aspen Glade Campground upstream to Menkhaven Resort is restricted to fly-fishing only. The upper section from the confluence with the South Fork upstream to the Saddle Creek bridge is restricted to flies and lures only. Fishing is good in both sections for wild brown and rainbow trout. Location: Lower section: from Antonito go west 16 miles on Highway 17 to Aspen Glade campground. Access for fishing is through fishing easements on private property and are signed. Upper section: from Antonito go west 21 miles on Highway 17 to USFS Road 250. Drive 9 miles north on USFS Road 250 to public land upstream of the South Fork confluence.

24. ROAD CANYON RESERVOIR SWA: Road Canyon Reservoir is a productive cold-water reservoir loaded with brook and rainbow trout. Fishing is best in the spring months following ice melt. Easy access is allowed via USFS Road 520 which parallels the north bank of the reservoir. Location: From Creede, go 25 miles west on Highway 149 to USFS Road 520, then 4 miles west to reservoir.

25. HIGH MOUNTAIN LAKES: Numerous small lakes above 10,000 feet in the Sangre De Cristo, San Juan and La Garita mountain ranges provide excellent fishing opportunities for cutthroat, rainbow and brook trout. Like most high-mountain lakes, the fish can be temperamental, feeding only when weather conditions and insect activity are optimal. Most lakes require uphill hiking from one to 12 miles. Location: High-mountain lakes are located in the Rio Grande National Forest and wilderness areas surrounding the San Luis Valley. Inquire at the Division of Wildlife area office or at USFS headquarters in Monte Vista.

26. BEAVER CREEK RESERVOIR SWA: Beaver Creek Reservoir is a popular trout fishery in the South Fork area. A resident population of brown trout exists, with some large sized fish caught annually. Kokanee salmon provide good action for anglers trolling in boats. Ice fishing is popular during the winter months. A concrete boat ramp is available for launching boats. Location: From South Fork, go 2 miles southwest on Highway 160 to USFS Road 360, then 6 miles south.

GOLD MEDAL
27. RIO GRANDE: The mighty Rio Grande begins its long journey to the Gulf of Mexico high in the San Juan Mountains of southwest Colorado. Look for good brown and rainbow trout fishing from Rio Grande Reservoir downstream to Del Norte. Fly-fishing is best June through July when stone fly and mayfly hatches dominate fish diets. The Gold Medal section from South Fork to Del Norte provides the angler with the best opportunity to catch a trophy brown trout. Location: West of Del Norte and north of South Fork to Creede. There is easy access to the river via highways 160 and 149 which generally parallels the river. Much of the river is privately owned, but public access is excellent through numerous state leases.