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Boyd Lake

Arguably the best Colorado fishery for white bass and spring panfish. Great opportunities for walleye, black bass, and catfish. Consistent angling for catchable trout and yellow perch through the ice.

Stagecoach Reservoir

Stagecoach Reservoir is a 20-minute drive south of Steamboat Springs. Stagecoach State Park is situated on the reservoir and offers numerous camping and recreational amenities, including a great trail system. The reservoir boasts an incredible fishery with a great deal of shore-fishing access as well as two boat ramps and a full-service marina. Rainbow trout is the primary fish targeted with quality and preferred-sized fish, in the 16” – 21” range, caught frequently. The occasional large brown trout is encountered as well, and there exists the opportunity to target trophy-sized northern pike. The current state record northern pike came out of this water. Walleye are also present and offer the persistent angler opportunity. Harvest of northern pike and walleye is encouraged to help maintain a balanced fishery.

Taylor Park Reservoir

Taylor Park Reservoir is a jewel of the upper Taylor River basin, with inspiring views of the Collegiate Range visible from the reservoir. The reservoir provides great opportunities for quality lake trout and northern pike. Rainbow trout provide the bulk of the catch for many anglers and fishing can be especially good right after ice off as hungry overwintered rainbows ramp up feeding activity. In the winter, ice-fishing opportunities are excellent for lake trout and rainbow trout.

Lake Fork Gunnison River

From High Bridge Gulch downstream to Blue Mesa Reservoir.

The Lake Fork of the Gunnison provides anglers quality trout fishing opportunities for rainbow and brown trout on several reaches of Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service lands. These reaches are available for bank and wade fishing only.

Uncompahgre River - Woodgate Road downstream to LaSalle Road bridge

From Woodgate Road downstream to LaSalle Road bridge (Montrose)

The fishery has densities of trout that are just below the Gold Medal standards, but still offers good fishing primarily in the fall, winter and spring. During summer months, the river is often high, limiting angler success. The public access is sporadic, and primarily exists within the town of Montrose. Anglers should take care to know property boundaries before fishing.

Jackson Lake

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​This reservoir arguably offers the best current warmwater fishing opportunity for walleye, saugeye, and wiper on Colorado's Northeastern Plains. Spring offers a good walleye and saugeye bite and as water temperatures rise anglers begin catching good numbers of wiper. Over the past few years a handful of very large wiper have been caught. This reservoir is located within Jackson Lake State Park which provides camping and other recreational opportunities as well.

Eagle River

The lower Eagle River provides a variety of high-quality trout fishing opportunities easily accessible along the I-70 corridor. Due to its lower elevation and milder winter weather, shore and wade angling is available almost year-round. As the snowmelt declines in late spring to early summer, the elevated seasonal flows provide excellent float angling opportunities from Wolcott to just below Gypsum. Angler access is strongly supported by CPW and Eagle County, both of which have developed ample opportunities for anglers to access productive fishing spots between public lands held by BLM from Wolcott down to the Colorado River.

Roaring Fork River

The Roaring Fork River upstream of the Fryingpan River provides an excellent opportunity to catch quality-sized fish sustained primarily by wild brown trout and rainbow trout. Meandering through canyons, open space, and farmlands, the pastoral setting feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of nearby towns. Lower in elevation than the surrounding mountains, fishing is possible much of the year due to its milder winter weather and cool refuge from hot summer temps. Most stretches have public access points for shore and wade anglers, as well as adventurous float anglers.