Trinidad Reservoir, Trinidad Colorado - Trinidad Lake is rated good for both saugeye and trout fishing. Water levels change frequently so check current conditions before setting out.
Trinidad Lake, near the southern border of Colorado, provides excellent fishing and recreation opportunities. With water levels fluctuating often, boaters are warned to watch for unknown obstacles in the water. There is plenty of camping and hiking trails in the area. For the fisherman, Trinidad offers good fishing for saugeye and trout.
2010 CDOW fishing forecast
Trinidad Reservoir should have good water levels in 2010 and fishing is expected to be good. We currently have good numbers of walleye, saugeye, wiper, catfish, and trout. Walleye and saugeye are abundant, but most fish will be smaller. However, persistent anglers will be rewarded with some larger (>15") fish. Walleye and saugeye anglers will start catching good numbers of fish in May and continue to catch these fish into July and August. Drifting jigs and nightcrawlers on the bottom is a very good technique. Wiper numbers are the best we have seen to date and some quality fish over 10 pounds are showing up in the population. They are hard to catch in Trinidad and still fishing with chicken liver seems to be an effective technique. Catfish numbers are low but quality is good with fair numbers of fish in the 4-10 pound range. Night fishing is effective for these fish. The trout fishery will remain very good with lots of catchable fish being stocked along with good number of holdover fish in the 16 to 20 inch range. Again, expect that declining water levels will create some boating hazards later in the season and anglers need to be careful. Testing has determined that mercury levels in some sizes of walleye and saugeye in the reservoir exceed the State's human health standard. Please see the fish consumption advisory posted at the reservoir or refer to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment website at http://www.cdphe.state.co.us/wq/fishcon for more details.
Getting there: From I-25 take CO 12 in Trinidad three miles west to the lake. Fees: Daily Pass: $6 year-round Colorado State Parks Pass Boating: All Boats Allowed. All boaters must observe wakeless speeds around the boat launch area, within 150 feet of shore fishermen and as buoyed. Boats are not allowed around the outlet structure or as buoyed. Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is allowed, but ice conditions are extremely variable
9/1/2010 - Trinidad Reservoir - Trinidad Lake is currently 630 surface acres with the surface temp approx. 72º F. Fishing continues to be great!!! We’re still seeing a lot of nice rainbows and catfish being caught and the walleye and bass are doing great. As the weather begins to cool, remember the fishing will get even better!!! Be prepared to stop and have your boat inspected for ANS. Boaters beware of floating debris and unmarked hazards as the water slowly lowers. Anglers are reminded to check the regulations for bass and walleye at Trinidad Lake and to wear your PFD. All the campgrounds and park facilities are now open. For more information call the Visitor’s Center at 719-846-6951.
Conditions History
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