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Monument Reservoir

Anglers can expect good to excellent fishing for most trout species stocked in Colorado including tiger trout, splake, kokanee salmon, rainbow, and brown trout. These reservoirs [North and Monument] provide a unique opportunity to fish a “trout-only” lake on the east slope of the divide as most other water bodies are both cold- and warm-water fisheries. Both of these lakes also provide great ice-fishing opportunities.

Elkhead Reservoir

Elkhead Reservoir State Park is located in Moffat and Routt counties in Northwest Colorado. With over 150,000 visitors annually, Elkhead Reservoir is a popular location for angling and is the only public flat-water boating area in Moffat County. Anglers have an opportunity to catch a wide variety of fish species in Elkhead Reservoir including smallmouth bass, northern pike, largemouth bass, black crappie, white crappie, bluegill, and tiger muskie.

North Lake

Anglers can expect good to excellent fishing for most trout species stocked in Colorado including tiger trout, splake, kokanee salmon, rainbow, and brown trout. North Lake is in a State Wildlife Area and is restricted to artificial flies and lures only. These reservoirs [North and Monument] provide a unique opportunity to fish a “trout-only” lake on the east slope of the divide as most other water bodies are both cold- and warm-water fisheries. Both of these lakes also provide great ice-fishing.

Grape Creek

Grape Creek below DeWeese Reservoir boasts an excellent fishery that can support high densities and quality sizes of brown trout and rainbow trout. Access below the reservoir at West Bear Gulch State Trust Land and in Temple Canyon near Canon City gives anglers opportunities to fish in remote and rugged areas full of wildlife. Rainbow trout recovery efforts in Grape Creek have created a high-quality dual-species fishery.

Adobe Creek Reservoir

Adobe Creek Reservoir provides quality fishing for several warm water species. Known locally as “Blue Lake”, this reservoir has historically been a favorite for crappie and catfish anglers. As an irrigation storage lake, Blue Lake can experience fluctuation. Boat ramps are available at high and low water levels. Access road conditions can deteriorate rapidly during rain storms.

John Martin Reservoir

John Martin Reservoir is a family-friendly state park environment with plenty of amenities to provide a high-quality angling experience. While boat anglers tend to be more successful, plenty of opportunity exists for shore anglers to access the lake. Anglers can expect good to excellent fishing for white bass, wipers, crappie, saugeye/walleye, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Other species available include: freshwater drum, flathead catfish, blue catfish, smallmouth bass, and bluegill.

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Blue Mesa provides unmatched opportunities for anglers to catch trophy lake trout as well as great opportunities to catch quality brown trout, rainbow trout, kokanee, and yellow perch. Several boat ramps provide access for boat anglers while numerous access sites provide opportunities for bank anglers to target most fish species, depending on the season.