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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.
2009 CDOW Fishing Forecast
Walleye/Saugeye
Martin offers some very good quality walleye/saugeye fishing opportunity. The fish are scattered throughout the reservoir and anglers can take them from shore or boat. Shallower rocky bars produce the best numbers of fish during the months of May and June. Some very high quality fish in excess of 10 pounds are present in the population. Boat anglers will have to deal with recreational boaters while fishing for these fish.
Fall 2007 Survey
Northern Pike
Northern Pike populations in Martin are a result of an illegal plant. To date these fish have not become a real problem in the reservoir and have provided a good pike fishery. Many anglers are now chasing these pike because there are quite a few high quality fish present in the population. Several fish over 20 pounds are taken each year. Pike fishing can be good throughout the ice free season using typical pike techniques. Fish the weed beds and in and around the reeds.
Other Species
Trout fishing is a staple for the reservoir and trout are stocked heavily throughout the season. Trout can be caught from shore as well as from boats casting or trolling. Martin also has a good fishery for largemouth and smallmouth bass. Crappie populations are on the rise in Martin and anglers who are willing to work for them may see some reasonable catches in 2009. Catfishing in Martin is another option that is highly overlooked. Some very good catches of fish in the 2-6 pound range were seen in 2008. There is also a decent population of yellow perch in the reservoir. Most of the yellow perch catches are incidental, but there are fish in the 10-12 inch range available for anglers.
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
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