Colorado Fishing Reports ยท Lakes ยท Arkansas Basin
Twin Lakes sits under Mount Elbert south of Leadville. It is a big, deep, beautiful lake known for lake trout and rainbows.
Looking for the latest Twin Lakes fishing report? This page is updated by the AvidMax fly shop team with current conditions, wind, stocking news and the flies working now at Twin Lakes.
Water level
Wind forecast
Twin Lakes fishing report
Updated November 7, 2026.
The water is cold, and fall is the best shore window for lake trout, which move shallow this time of year.
Strip big streamers off the rocky shorelines at first and last light. Ice should start forming later this month at this elevation.
Stocking report
Recent trout stocking from Colorado Parks and Wildlife's weekly report.
Load your fly box
Before you head to Twin Lakes, bring: Woolly Bugger #4-8, Clouser Minnow #2-4, Balanced Leech #10, Chironomid #14-16, Balanced Bou Leech #10-12, Slump Buster #6-8, Egg #12-14, Scud Bomb #12-16, Pitching Leech #10.
Flies working right now
The flies above that we have in stock right now.
Twin Lakes lake details
| Access | Pullouts and day-use areas along Highway 82 west of US-24. |
|---|---|
| Elevation | About 9,200 ft |
| Drive from AvidMax | About 134 miles, roughly 2 hours 58 minutes from our Centennial shop |
| Best season | Spring through fall, plus ice fishing |
| Fish | Lake trout, rainbows, cutthroat and some browns |
| Regulations | Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for the current rules. A Colorado fishing license is required. |
| Leaders and tippet | 9 ft leaders, 2X to 4X tippet for streamers |
| Ice fishing | A popular ice fishing lake once safe ice forms. Never go out on less than 4 inches of clear ice. |
| Camping | White Star, Lakeview and Dexter Point campgrounds (seasonal) |
| Kids | Yes at the day-use areas. |
| Good to know | Wind and cold come fast. The water is very cold. |
Fishing by season
Winter
Ice fishing for lake trout.
Spring
Ice-off brings lake trout and rainbows shallow.
Summer
Fish deep. Mornings and evenings from shore.
Fall
Lake trout move shallow to spawn.
How to get there
Take US-285 to Johnson Village or I-70 and Highway 91 to Leadville, then US-24 to Highway 82 west to Twin Lakes.