Arkansas River (below Pueblo dam)
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Monday, Jan 05 2026
Tailwaters are running about 80cfs. Main patterns will be midges and BWOs, use light tippet in the 6x-7x range.
About
The Arkansas River headwaters are high in the Colorado Rockies near Leadville. Americas sixth largest river is considered a blue-ribbon trout stream, rated in the top 100 in brown trout fishing.The stretch between Salida and Canon City has concentrations of brown trout from 2,000 to 5,000 fish per mile, offering ample opportunities for all anglers.
This river has heavy pressure from March to November and is renowned for fly fishing.
There are heavily regulated rainbow trout in the river that must be returned live to the water.
The best stretches for trout are slow-moving eddies where the water flows at less than 1200 cubic feet per second.
Techniques & Tips
The best fishing is in the Royal Gorge, an area with limited land access. Floating the river in rafts, inflatable kayaks or float tubes is the preferred method in catching brown trout.The caddis fly hatch around Mothers Day is considered the best time to fish, and tossing dry caddis flies gets the browns attention.
Winter midge fishing offers another good opportunity in a less populated time of the year.
The best area to fish is in smooth pools alongside the faster-moving central current or in letting flies work around boulders to the backside opposite the current.
Arkansas River (below Pueblo dam)
RECEIVE FISHING REPORT UPDATES!
Rating - Good
Tailwaters are running about 80cfs. Main patterns will be midges and BWOs, use light tippet in the 6x-7x range.
About
The Arkansas River headwaters are high in the Colorado Rockies near Leadville. Americas sixth largest river is considered a blue-ribbon trout stream, rated in the top 100 in brown trout fishing.The stretch between Salida and Canon City has concentrations of brown trout from 2,000 to 5,000 fish per mile, offering ample opportunities for all anglers.
This river has heavy pressure from March to November and is renowned for fly fishing.
There are heavily regulated rainbow trout in the river that must be returned live to the water.
The best stretches for trout are slow-moving eddies where the water flows at less than 1200 cubic feet per second.
Techniques & Tips
The best fishing is in the Royal Gorge, an area with limited land access. Floating the river in rafts, inflatable kayaks or float tubes is the preferred method in catching brown trout.The caddis fly hatch around Mothers Day is considered the best time to fish, and tossing dry caddis flies gets the browns attention.
Winter midge fishing offers another good opportunity in a less populated time of the year.
The best area to fish is in smooth pools alongside the faster-moving central current or in letting flies work around boulders to the backside opposite the current.
Other Fishing Reports for Colorado Springs
Cheeseman Canyon
Good
01/05/2026
Flows are around 80cfs. Midges will bring the most success. Nymphing in deeper pockets will yield the best results.
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Good
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Flows are around 65cfs. Midges will be your go to. Keep a look out for the occasional BWO hatch depending on weather.
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Antero
Good
01/05/2026
Ice is still etremely thin. If you are willing to go out, use common sense!
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Tarryall Reservoir
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01/05/2026
Tarryall has the best ice in the area. Fishing shallow, less than 10 feet will yield the bet results
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