Twin Lakes, Colorado, offers exceptional fly fishing opportunities with its abundant trout population and stunning mountain setting. The Twin Lakes Reservoirs, covering 2,700 acres, are home to brown, rainbow, cutthroat, and lake trout, making it a prime destination for fly fishing enthusiasts.
Exploring the Trout-Rich Waters of Twin Lakes
The Twin Lakes Reservoirs are renowned for their diverse trout species, including:
- Brown Trout: Known for their impressive size and fighting ability, brown trout are a popular target for fly anglers at Twin Lakes.
- Rainbow Trout: These vibrant, iridescent fish are a staple in the Twin Lakes fishery, providing excellent sport for fly fishermen.
- Cutthroat Trout: The native cutthroat trout of Twin Lakes are prized for their striking appearance and hard-hitting strikes.
- Lake Trout: The trophy-sized lake trout, some reaching over 40 inches, offer a unique and challenging fly fishing experience.
The Arkansas River, which flows from the Twin Lakes, is designated as Gold Medal water by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, indicating its high-quality fishery and the potential for catching large, healthy trout.
Guided Fly Fishing Experiences
For fly fishing enthusiasts, Colorado Fly Fishing Guides in Leadville is a premier guide service that specializes in walk/wade trips and welcomes anglers of all skill levels. They offer a range of guided experiences, including:
- Two-Hour Trips: Perfect for those with limited time or those looking to get a taste of the Twin Lakes fishery.
- Half-Day Trips: Allowing more time to explore the lakes and rivers, these trips provide ample opportunity to hook into trout.
- Full-Day Trips: The full-day option offers the ultimate fly fishing adventure, with the chance to cover more water and target a variety of trout species.
- Boat Trips: For those seeking a different perspective, the guide service also offers boat-based fly fishing trips on the Twin Lakes Reservoirs.
In addition to the guided trips, the Colorado Fly Fishing Guides headquarters at 504 Harrison Ave., Leadville, also serves as a fly shop, stocking licenses, flies, tackle, and accessories to ensure you have everything you need for a successful day on the water.
Trout Fishing Techniques and Tactics
The Twin Lakes Reservoirs offer a diverse range of fly fishing opportunities, with each season presenting its own unique challenges and rewards.
Spring and Early Summer
During the spring and early summer, the lake trout fishing can be particularly productive. As the ice melts, casting large Rapalas near the hydropower plant or around submerged rock piles can yield impressive results.
Summer
As the summer months arrive, fishing from a boat with downriggers and using lures or deep water jigs tipped with sucker meat can be an effective tactic for targeting the lake trout.
Winter
Ice fishing in the winter is also a popular activity at Twin Lakes, with anglers using jigs tipped with sucker meat to target the lake trout.
Trout Stocking and Regulations
Catchable trout are stocked in the Twin Lakes Reservoirs from June through September, providing a consistent supply of fish for anglers to target. It’s important to be aware of the regulations, including a bag and possession limit of one lake trout, with fish between 22 and 34 inches required to be returned to the water immediately. Statewide bag and possession limits apply for other trout species.
Accessing the Twin Lakes Fishery
The Twin Lakes Reservoirs offer excellent access, with two boat ramps and numerous picnic areas, campgrounds, and restrooms around the lake. A trail around most of the lake provides abundant fishing access for walk/wade anglers.
Conclusion
Twin Lakes, Colorado, is a true fly fishing paradise, offering a diverse array of trout species, stunning mountain scenery, and a range of guided and self-guided fishing opportunities. Whether you’re a seasoned fly angler or a newcomer to the sport, the Twin Lakes fishery is sure to provide an unforgettable experience.