Martin Lake Fishing
A 168-acre Colorado lake in Huerfano County at 6,409 feet.
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Martin Lake: setting, size and how to reach it
Martin Lake spreads over roughly 168 acres of Huerfano County, by its mapped outline. Its surface sits near 6,409 feet above sea level. Lathrop State Park manages the ground around it. Plan supplies in Walsenburg, near 3 miles from the shore. In CPW terms it is a Southeast Region water.
CPW records black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, cutbow and largemouth bass in this water. Launching happens at 1 boat ramp. The boating entry reads Motor boats (gasoline). CPW calls access easy; pressure runs medium. For hard water, CPW has ice fishing listed as no.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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Tap a fish to open its Colorado page, with limits and records, from Martin Lake.
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Launching a boat at Martin Lake
- Lathrop State Park on Martin Lakeboat ramp, ANS inspection, State Parks
Atlas fishing locations at Martin Lake
- Martin Lake fishing access near Walsenburg, Lathrop State Park 2accessible fishing area
- Martin Lake fishing access near Walsenburg, Lathrop State Parkaccessible pier, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and warmwater, 6,409 ft
- Martin Lake fishing access near Walsenburg, Lathrop State Park 3fishing access
When the Martin Lake ramp is crowded
- North Ramp on Horseshoe ReservoirHorseshoe Reservoir, under a mile northwest
- South Ramp on Horseshoe ReservoirHorseshoe Reservoir, under a mile southwest
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Harvest rules for Martin Lake
| Species | Bag and possession | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee) | Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Brook trout 8 inches or less (bonus) | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Kokanee salmon | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Walleye, saugeye and sauger | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White bass, striped bass and wiper | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White and black crappie | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Bluegill and other sunfish | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Yellow perch | Daily bag 20, possession 20 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Tiger muskie | Daily bag 1, possession 1; at least 36 inches long | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
Drainage matters for walleye, wiper and perch limits; Martin Lake sits in the Arkansas and South Fork Republican drainages. Outside any special regulation, these statewide numbers govern Martin Lake.
Brochure rules for Martin Lake
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Martin Lake | Min. size for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass is 15 inches long. | p. 27 |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Trout stocking dates at Martin Lake
CPW put Martin Lake on its weekly catchable trout report 12 listings; the most recent listing is dated June 12, 2026.
| Report date | What CPW lists |
|---|---|
| June 12, 2026 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| April 10, 2026 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| December 5, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| November 7, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| June 13, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| May 9, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| April 18, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| February 28, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| November 22, 2024 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| October 11, 2024 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| May 10, 2024 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
| February 1, 2024 | catchable trout, CPW Southeast Region |
CPW Fish Stocking Report (catchable trout of about 10 inches; the date is when CPW added the water to its weekly list), 2024 to October 2026, retrieved October 25, 2026. Colorado stocking.
How Martin Lake measures up to the water around it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martin Lake | 168 | 6,409 | 1 | yes | |
| Horseshoe Reservoir, Huerfano County | under a mile west | 165 | 6,447 | 2 | yes |
| Daigre Reservoir | 11 miles southwest | 14 | 7,058 | 0 | yes |
| Wahatoya Lake Reservoir | 11 miles southwest | 27 | 7,093 | 0 | yes |
| Beckwith Reservoir | 23 miles north | 54 | 6,081 | 0 | yes |
| North Lake | 28 miles southwest | 105 | 8,562 | 1 | yes |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
The ground surrounding Martin Lake
Other reservoirs within a drive of Martin Lake
- Horseshoe Reservoir, Huerfano Countyunder a mile west
- Daigre Reservoir11 miles southwest
- Wahatoya Lake Reservoir11 miles southwest
- Beckwith Reservoir23 miles north
- North Lake28 miles southwest
Outfitters who fish Martin Lake
- River Sister Fly Fishing LLCfly fishing guide, Colorado City
Beds and gas close to Martin Lake
- Walsenburg3 miles
- Trinidad36 miles
County guides that cover Martin Lake
- Huerfano Countyseat: Walsenburg
Piscifun tackle sized for Martin Lake
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Reservoirs and creeks near Martin Lake in photos
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: NPS Natural Resources, Public domain
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Before you drive to Martin Lake, read these
Where in Colorado is Martin Lake?
CPW maps it in Huerfano County, CPW Southeast Region, about 3 miles from Walsenburg.
How many acres does Martin Lake cover on CPW maps?
Close to 168 acres by the CPW outline, at about 6,409 feet.
Which ramp do boaters back down at Martin Lake?
Yes: 1 boat ramp; Lathrop State Park on Martin Lake is one.
Which gamefish does CPW tie to Martin Lake?
CPW lists black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, common carp, cutbow, largemouth bass and northern pike.
Does the brochure print a special rule for Martin Lake?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. Extra rules from the brochure apply; they are above.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Martin Lake on a short license?
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
When did CPW last list Martin Lake for trout?
The report carries 12 listings on the CPW catchable trout report (2 in 2026, 6 in 2025, 4 in 2024); latest June 12, 2026.
Where can I pick up bait on the way to Martin Lake?
Bring supplies; the listed shops are over 30 miles off.
Can I drill holes at Martin Lake?
CPW lists ice fishing listed as no; no ice is ever certified safe.
Give Martin Lake an early start
Buy the CPW license online before you leave.