Frantz Lake
State Park in Chaffee County, Colorado
Water Type:
Conditions:
Frantz Lake boasts excellent rainbow trout fishing year round and is a popular for ice fishing. Anglers at Frantz will also have quality fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass.
Stocking Report:
Activities:
Common Species:
Frantz Lake
State Park in Chaffee County, Colorado
Water Type:
Conditions:
Frantz Lake boasts excellent rainbow trout fishing year round and is a popular for ice fishing. Anglers at Frantz will also have quality fishing opportunities for smallmouth bass.
Stocking Report:
Activities:
Common Species:
About Frantz Lake
Frantz Lake offers a fantastic fishing experience with an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)-accessible fishing pier.
About Quality Waters
Colorado Parks and Wildlife is excited to announce Quality Waters, a new category of fishable waters that our talented team of fish management biologists has identified and nominated based on their fish sampling records, creel surveys, and professional biological assessments.
Activities at this Location
Non-motorized Boating
Fishing
Hiking Nearby
Wildlife Viewing
Visit Frantz Lake State Wildlife Area
State Wildlife Area Location: West of Salida, along Rd 154.
Lake Location: From Salida, drive west on Crestone Ave for just about a mile and a half, then turn right onto Rd 154. The parking lot will be on your left.
From Denver, take Hwy 285 S for 134 miles, then turn left onto CO 291 S. Take CO 291 S for 6.7 miles and turn right onto Rd 154. After 0.7 miles, turn left onto Rd 154; the parking lot will be on your right.
Elevation: Minimum 7,084 feet; Maximum 7,166 feet
Save Money
Use the Keep Colorado Wild Pass
The Keep Colorado Wild Pass is $29.
Other pass options:
- Affixed Vehicle Parks Pass $80
- Family Multi Vehicle Pass $120
- Individual Pass (foot and bike traffic only) $29
Boating at Frantz Lake
Hand-launched vessels propelled by hand, wind or electric motor are permitted. All vessel and water users must observe all Colorado Boating Statutes and Regulations at all times.
Stay Safe on the Water
Keep your time on the water fun and safe by following some simple safety guidelines.
Life Jackets
You must wear a life jacket/personal floatation device (PFD) that is the correct size for you when engaging in water activities. Check with the park you are planning to visit to see if they offer loaner life jackets.
Boating Rules
Be prepared for your day on the water by familiarizing yourself with the guidelines and regulations for your water activity.
Learn the RulesFishing at Frantz Lake
Lake Acres: 25
Frantz Lake is an ideal spot for easy-to-access fishing. The small park setting, mountain views and vibrant foliage make it a perfect spot for a full day of fishing or a relaxing lunchtime break.
Pond Features:
- ADA-accessible fishing pier
Don't Forget Your Fishing License
All anglers need a fishing license, but youth aged 15 and under fish for free. Reduced cost licenses are available for Colorado residents including: adults, youth aged 16 to 17, seniors, active duty members, first responders with disabilities, and veterans with disabilities.
Rules and Restrictions
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Hunting and the discharge of firearms or bows are prohibited.
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You must have a valid fishing license, hunting license or State Wildlife Area pass to enter Frantz Lake State Wildlife Area.
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Night fishing is permitted at Frantz Lake.
The property is closed between sundown and sunrise except for those who are actively fishing with a valid license.
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Vessels are prohibited, except hand-launched vessels propelled by hand, wind or electric motor.
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Water contact activities are allowed.
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Bicycles and dogs are allowed.
Dogs must be under control and on leash at all times.
Fish at this Location
Channel Catfish
Night fishing with live bait, chicken innards, flavored dough balls or any other smelly concoction provides the best angling success.“Cats” larger than 30 pounds have been caught in Colorado, and for those willing to put in the effort, they make a tasty dinner.
More About Channel Catfish
Cutbow
As a hybrid of rainbow trout and cutthroat trout, cutbows have a combination of traits from both species.
More About Cutbow
Largemouth Bass
Casting lures and plugs during dawn and dusk hours around cattails and sunken logs will give you the best chance to land a “lunker” (a large game fish).
More About Largemouth Bass
Rainbow trout
Frantz Lake is known for excellent year-round rainbow trout fishing, making it an ideal spot for beginners. Rainbow trout can be caught with a variety of flies, baits and lures.
More About Rainbow Trout
Smallmouth Bass
These fish are found in mountain lakes and are usually in deeper water. Anglers also enjoy success with this species during the fall and spring in shallower areas and when ice fishing. Granby’s population of lake trout is entirely self-sustaining.
More About Smallmouth BassCatch a Record
Fishing Awards and Records
Colorado Parks and Wildlife recognizes licensed anglers who catch exceptionally large fish through three separate programs, Record by Weight, Record by Length (released only) and Master Angler. Learn more about what it takes to be a Colorado record holder!
Mandatory Boat Inspections for ANS Before Coming to Frantz Lake
If you plan on using a sailboat or a boat with an electric motor at Frantz Lake, you must purchase an aquatic nuisance species stamp, have a current boat registration, and have your boat inspected for Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS). The closest inspection site is Valley Bridge Boat Ramp, just over 20 miles down US-50 E.
Vessels and other floating devices that are both hand-launched and human-powered — such as paddleboards, canoes and kayaks — are exempt from mandatory ANS inspections. ANS, however, can be accidentally spread between bodies of water by any kind of water gear. You can help prevent the spread of ANS by cleaning, draining and drying your gear between each use. Learn more about how to be a Pain in the ANS below.
Stop the Spread of ANS
The larvae of invasive mussels and fragments of invasive plants can spread via fishing equipment and water gear. Though there are no mandatory inspections, we highly encourage you to clean, drain and dry your gear between visits to all rivers, lakes or other bodies of water. This helps prevent the spread of ANS like zebra mussels, New Zealand mudsnails and Eurasian watermilfoil.
Learn more about Aquatic Nuisance Species.Aquatic Nuisance Species
How to Clean Your Hand Launch Vessels and Fishing Gear
Invasive species of plants and wildlife harm Colorado's land and water, negatively impacting the state’s economy, recreation, property values and public health. Invasive wildlife spread by hitchhiking on watercraft, trailers, vehicles, tires, boots, waders, equipment, gear, firewood and even dogs!
Angling — How to Clear Your Gear Video
Angling — Prevent the Spread of Aquatic Invasive Species
After cleaning their gear, anglers should then perform one of the following options to disinfect their gear before going into the next body of water or moving to a new stretch of river.
Option 1
- Disinfect waders and gear with quaternary ammonia cleaner (QAC).
- After cleaning, submerge gear in a tub filled with a solution of 6oz QAC/gallon of water for at least 10 minutes. Follow all precautionary label instructions!
- Rinse water must be from a clean source to avoid re-infection.
- Dispose of the chemical bath properly away from any waters.
Option 2
- Heat treat your gear by soaking or spraying for 10 minutes with 140o Fahrenheit water.
Option 3
- Dry your waders and equipment completely for a minimum of 10 days between use.
Option 4
- Freeze your waders and boots overnight between use.
Clean
- Keep your distance from storm drains and new bodies of water while cleaning all equipment.
- Remove all visible plant material, animals, and mud from the hull, trailer and all compartments including footwells and storage areas.
- Clean all other equipment that was used including paddles, dry storage bags, leashes, anchors and lifejackets.
Dr
- Ensure that all water has been drained from your inflatable watercraft.
- Carry your kayak, canoe, or paddleboard to a dry location to drain and dry. Tilt and lift your watercraft to empty any water that has pooled inside the interior compartments.
- If your inflatable watercraft has a two-layer (bladder/shell) construction or a floor that allows water inside the shell, be sure to drain all the areas where water could be trapped.
Dry
- Sponge or towel any water that remains on the watercraft following your draining process.
- Find a place where the kayak, canoe or paddleboard can continue to dry completely.
- Leave your watercraft inflated until it is completely dry. When fully dry, place the air valve down when deflating to prevent water from getting inside.
Boating and Fishing Regulations
Manual de Navegación (En Español)
El folleto de Manual de Navegación en línea es la versión más actualizada.
Ver el Folleto
Colorado Fishing Brochure
The online Fishing brochure is the most up-to-date version.
Download the Brochure
Pesca en Colorado (En Español)
El folleto de Pesca en línea es la versión más actualizada.
Ver el Folleto
Land and Water Regulations Brochure
Have a question about regulations? Check the brochure.
Download the Brochure
Be a Pain in the ANS!
If you use water, aquatic nuisance species (ANS) can affect you. For example, Zebra and quagga mussels clog up the infrastructure that delivers water to our homes. Keeping invasive species under control is a matter of public health.