Where to Go Arkansas River – Pueblo

 SUMMER HOURS 6 am to 6 pm Daily

Report Date: 9/3/2026

 Voluntary closure 12 pm - 12 am daily - CPW

Current Conditions:

Flows below the dam are running at a low, technical minimum release of around 42 to 72 cfs. This is changing day by day, so keep an eye out.  Water coming directly out of the dam remains cool and clear, but because of the minimal volume, water temperatures climb rapidly as the river flows east through town. CPW has a voluntary fishing closure in effect from noon to midnight on the stretch east of Pueblo Blvd due to thermal stress. Anglers should focus exclusively on the upper two to three miles directly below the dam and wrap up by late morning.

Guide Report:

Josh Heney - 9/2/2026

Great trico hatch early, then tapered off and then got slow.

TJ Spader - 8/31/2026

The flows were sitting about 66 cfs. We had a good trico hatch. Fly patterns #22 spent wing trico, #22 black wd-40

Kenny Romero - 8/31/2026

Good trico dry action

Weather:

Short Term -

We got that desert-style warmth in the Pueblo area today, with daytime highs reaching the upper 80s to lower 90s under mostly sunny skies. Winds will stay light to moderate. High late afternoon heat may trigger isolated clouds or brief, gusty conditions, making early morning hours the ideal window to be on the water.

Long Term -

The extended forecast calls for hot, dry high plains weather to persist. Daytime highs will consistently hit the mid to upper 80s and low 90s, with overnight lows dipping into the upper 50s. Minimal rain is expected in the lower basin, keeping river flows at minimum levels until agricultural calls or dam releases adjust.

Hatches:

The morning starts with a strong, highly predictable Trico hatch and spinner fall from roughly 6:30 AM to 9:30 AM. Along with Tricos, expect a steady presence of small Midges and light Caddis activity. During the late afternoon and evening hours, egg-laying Caddis patterns take over on the upper tailwater, along with terrestrial activity like small grasshoppers, foam ants, and beetles along the brushy banks.

Tactics:

Technical micro nymphing and delicate dry fly presentations are required. Run 9 to 12 foot leaders tapered down to 6X fluorocarbon. During the morning window, target soft edges and tailouts with size 22–26 Trico spinners or emergers. For nymphing, use a lightweight yarn indicator or dry dropper setup featuring a small terrestrial or caddis dry fly trailing a size 18–22 Manhattan Midge, RS2, or small crane fly larva through the deeper slots.

Tips:

Concentrate all fishing on the top section from the dam down toward the Nature Center where water temperatures stay safely in the 50s and low 60s. Carry a stream thermometer and call it a day if water temps approach 68 degrees. Start at first light to fish the primary Trico spinner fall, and avoid wading through shallow gravel bars where spawning or holding fish are easily spooked in thin water.

Photo by Ted Demetriou