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Martin Reservoir, 180 acres in size, is located within Lathrop, Colorado’s very first state park. The Spanish Peaks overshadow this high plains grassland dotted with piñon and juniper. Visitors to the area can expect enjoy a variety of recreational activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, camping, hiking, and wildlife viewing. Hidden among the trees and yucca expect to see mule deer, rabbits, squirrels, and a variety of birds and waterfowl.
Martin Lake offers quite good year-round fishing. Although, winter ice is considered unsafe and ice fishing is never recommended. Anglers can expect to encounter walleye, saugeye, bass, catfish, bluegill, crappie, yellow perch, catfish, wiper, northern pike, and rainbow trout. Often busy during the summer months and especially weekends, this lake is overlooked by many anglers opting for the quieter Horseshoe Lake across the road to the west due to the oft times heavy boating traffic. If you can manage fishing amidst the waterskiing crowds, you may have quite an angling experience. Martin is a heavily stocked not only with rainbow trout, but warm water species as well. Northern pike were illegally stocked, but can offer a notable experience. A youth fishing area is located near the Martin Lake Dam. The swim beach, ski beach, boat docks, the dam on Martin Lake and boat ramps are closed to fishing.
Martin Lake is currently at capacity. Later this year, July - September, Martin Lake will be drained any where from a couple of feet to empty for work that has to be done to the dam. No official decision has been made yet but after drilling sample today, 4/21/2009, it is looking like the lake is going to be drained pretty much completely.
2010 CDOW Fishing Forecast
Martin Reservoir has undergone an outlet structure replacement in the spring of 2010. Water levels are expected to be quite a bit lower due to this project and some parts of the fishery may have suffered from the low water over the winter. The fishery can produce some good fish, but the limited surface area of the lake and the popularity of recreational boating make fishing this reservoir a little challenging. Anglers can expect to catch a diverse bag of fish including bass, bluegill, catfish, northern pike, walleye, saugeye, wipers, trout, and yellow perch. There are good quality fish available in all of these species, but anglers will have to work for their catch. The weed beds in the lake are expanding each year, which improves the habitat, but makes fishing tougher. Northern pike numbers are expanding in the lake and will provide some excellent pike fishing opportunities. Trout fishing will be excellent as high numbers of fish are being stocked. Eurasian milfoil has been found in the lake and anglers need to be careful to clean their boats well after being on the lake to assure that this noxious weed is not spread to other waters. It would be best to call Lathrop State Park prior to going to Martin to make sure there is enough water to launch a boat.
Getting there: Travel west on Highway 160 for a few miles from Walsenburg, turn right into the State Park. From the entrance parking area and offices, turn left then right to head to the boat ramp, or turn right to wind around the eastern and northern sides of the lake.
Fees: $6 daily pass or annual Colorado State Parks Pass.
Boating: All Boats Allowed. No restrictions
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing discouraged due to poor ice conditions when ice exists |
