Fishing in Twin Lakes

Set at 9,600 feet elevation in Lake County, Twin Lakes are a pair of glacier-carved alpine reservoirs reflecting the surrounding Sawatch Range and fading into clear mountain skies. Historically natural lakes later enlarged by a dam, they now rest within San Isabel National Forest, offering both wilderness feel and easy lake access from nearby Leadville. Amplified by the Fryingpan-Arkansas transbasin project, Twin Lakes serve both as a water resource and a scenic outdoor playground wrapped in rocky peaks, cool air, and forest charm.

Twin Lakes are regularly stocked with rainbow, brown, and cutthroat trout, making for dependable catches across seasons. Classic high-country species flourish here, and the lakes also hold lake trout (mackinaw), offering deeper-water challenges. For those exploring Lake Creek, small native brook trout sometimes surface in hidden sections, offering intimate dry-fly experiences.

Early season and stream-fed periods reward fly fishing enthusiasts using lake bugs and attractor-droppers, especially near inlets and shallows. Spinners, Rapalas, and PowerBait also work well from shore or boat. As summer progresses and the lake stratifies, vertical jigging or deep spinning rigs become effective for trout and lake char. Along Lake Creek, delicate dries or dry-dropper setups fished over hidden pockets of clear freestone water offer unforgettable fly-fishing moments. In the winter, Twin Lakes make for a perfect ice fishing destination, offering a chance to go beyond perch and walleye and hook a noble trout or two.