Northeast Region Waters
Species: Lake trout, splake, rainbow trout, cutbow, tiger muskie
A 364-acre lake on Forest Service land that has a restrictive regulation for lake trout and splake. It provides quality fishing opportunities for lake trout and tiger musky.
Special Regulations
- The bag and possession limit for lake trout and/or splake is three fish, only one of which may be greater than 26 inches in length.
Species: Largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, black bass, bluegill, carp, catfish, crappie, yellow perch, rainbow trout, walleye
Great opportunities for walleye. Arguably the best Colorado fishery for white bass and spring panfish. Solid black bass and catfish numbers. Consistent angling for catchable trout and yellow perch through the ice.
Special Regulations
- The minimum size for largemouth and smallmouth bass is 15 inches.
- The minimum size for walleye and saugeye is 15 inches.
- No more than one walleye or saugeye in the aggregate greater than 21 inches in length may be taken per day.
Species: Walleye, sauger, wiper, largemouth bass, bluegill, yellow perch, rainbow trout
This is a State Wildlife Area (SWA) property and has no special fishing regulations. It provides a decent opportunity for walleye, a quality opportunity for sauger, and has a decent cohort of wiper present currently. Anglers are most successful when fishing from a boat during the shoulder seasons.
Special Regulations
Species: Walleye, saugeye, catfish, perch, rainbow trout, crappie, wiper, largemouth bass, bluegill
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.
Special Regulations
- The minimum size for wipers is 15 inches in length.
- The minimum size for crappie is 10 inches in length.
- The minimum size for walleye and saugeye is 15 inches in length.
- No more than one walleye or saugeye in the aggregate greater than 21 inches in length may be taken per day.
- Fishing in the outlet ditch immediately below the dam around the rotary screen structure is prohibited.
- Ice fishing shelters must be portable.
Species: Cutthroat trout
Accessing Kelly Lake requires a challenging 6.5-mile (one-way)hike with 2000+ feet of elevation gain. Adventurous anglers will be rewarded with excellent cutthroat trout fishing and stunning views.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- The bag and possession limit for trout is two fish.
Species: Rainbow trout, cutbow, Snake River cutthroat
This is an SWA property and has a reduced possession limit for trout. It provides quality fishing opportunities for rainbow, cutbow, and Snake River cutthroats while allowing fishing with bait.
Special Regulations
- The bag and possession limit for trout is four fish.
Segment: From Seaman Reservoir downstream to Cache la Poudre River
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
This is walk-in access only through Gateway Natural Area and is a fly and lure only, catch and release fishing opportunity for brown trout and rainbow trout. This stretch of river encompasses the reach from Seaman Reservoir downstream to the confluence with the main stem Poudre River. Fishing pressure is high and trout are educated, but there are high abundances of trout with quality fish (14 inches and greater) present.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Segment: From Divide Creek downstream to Bull Creek
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
This section of the river has hike-in access only through Cherokee State Wildlife Area Middle Unit and USFS lands. It is fly and lure only, catch-and-release fishing, and provides opportunities for scenic and secluded fishing, primarily for brown trout and occasional rainbow trout.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Segment: From Elevenmile Dam downstream to Wagon Tongue Gulch Rd bridge at Springer Gulch
Species: Cutbow, rainbow trout, brown trout
Elevenmile Dam downstream to the Wagon Tongue Gulch Road bridge at Springer Gulch. This area requires the purchase of a pass through the Forest Service. This river segment offers excellent trout fishing for brown trout as well as the opportunity to catch rainbow trout and cutbows. The river segment is artificial fly and lure only and catch and release.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Bald Eagle Pond
Species: Largemouth bass, bluegill, channel catfish, crappie, green sunfish, yellow perch
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incredible with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Bald Eagle Pond has quality largemouth bass, common carp, and crappie.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. Scented flies or scented lures may be used on this water if they are 1.5 inches or longer.
- All largemouth and smallmouth bass must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Blue Heron Pond
Species: Largemouth bass, walleye, saugeye, channel catfish, crappie, redear sunfish
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incredible with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Blue Heron Pond has excellent largemouth bass, great for walleye/saugeye, channel catfish, crappie, and redear sunfish. This is the largest water on the park and trailered boats can launch.
Special Regulations
- All largemouth and smallmouth bass must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
- Only one channel catfish in bag or possession may be greater than 20 inches.
Coot Pond
Species: Rainbow trout, crappie, walleye
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incredible with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Coot Pond is great for seasonal trout, crappie, and walleye.
Mallard Pond
Species: Rainbow trout, bluegill, crappie, carp, channel catfish
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incrediblee with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Mallard Pond is great for seasonal trout and panfish.
Pelican Pond
Species: Northern pike, largemouth bass, channel catfish, crappie.
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incredible with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Pelican Pond is excellent for channel catfish, largemouth bass, northern pike, and crappie.
Pintail Pond
Species: Northern pike, bluegill, green sunfish, crappie
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incredible with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Pintail Pond is stocked with northern pike.
Red Tail Pond
Species: Bluegill, sunfish, rainbow trout
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incredible with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Redtail Pond is decent for bluegill and sunfish.
Sandpiper Pond
Species: Rainbow trout, channel catfish, carp, bluegill
Variety angling in a single park, each pond really has something different to offer. Exceptional for families and new anglers and great ice fishing. Park staff is quite incredible with a breadth of fishing knowledge. Sandpiper Pond is great for seasonal trout.
Northwest Region Waters
Segment: From the northern city limit of Silverthorne downstream to Green Mountain Reservoir
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon
The middle section of the Blue River supports a quality fishery consisting of rainbow and brown trout as well as kokanee salmon in the fall which migrate upstream from Green Mountain Reservoir. Ample public access is available through several parcels of the Blue River State Wildlife Area as well as US Forest Service property.
Special Regulations
From the north city limits of the town of Silverthorne downstream to the Colo 9 bridge over the Blue River at Blue River State Wildlife Area:
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- The bag and possession limit and minimum size for trout is two fish, 16 inches in length.
From the Colo 9 bridge over the Blue River at Blue River State Wildlife Area downstream to the Green Mountain Reservoir inlet:
- Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.
Segment: From Gore Creek downstream to the confluence with the Colorado River
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish
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 Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Eagle County, which allow anglers to access productive fishing spots from public lands held by BLM from Wolcott down to the Colorado River.
Special Regulations
From Gore Creek down to the I-70 Exit 147 bridge in the Town of Eagle:
- The bag and possession limit for trout is two fish.
From the I-70 Exit 147 bridge in the Town of Eagle down to the Colorado River:
- The bag and possession limit for trout is two fish.
- There is no bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Segment: From upper boundary of Christina SWA downstream to Mad Creek confluence
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, mountain whitefish
Offers easy walk-wade access on approximately 1.5 miles of the beautiful Elk River. This freestone stream provides angling opportunities for rainbow trout, brown trout and mountain whitefish in a beautiful setting and gorgeous valley. This SWA abuts the Routt National Forest with multiple trailheads and numerous recreational opportunities.
Species: Lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, cut bow, kokanee salmon
Lake Granby has a very high density of lake trout. Due to a prolific population of Mysis shrimp and complex benthic habitat, Granby boasts the most lake trout of any lake in the state and this fishery is entirely self-sustaining.
Special Regulations
- Ice fishing shelters must be portable.
- Gaffs and tail snares are prohibited.
- The bag and possession limit for lake trout is four fish.
- From January 1 through August 31, the bag and possession limit for trout (except lake trout) and kokanee salmon is four fish, singly or in aggregate.
- From September 1 through December 31, the bag and possession limit for trout (except lake trout) is four fish, singly or in aggregate.
- From September 1 through December 31, the bag and possession limit for kokanee salmon is 10 fish.
- Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted in Lake Granby only from September 1 through December 31 except snagging is prohibited in Columbine Bay from the inlet of Twin Creek upstream.
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, crappie, yellow perch, green sunfish, walleye
Rifle Gap Reservoir provides anglers a unique opportunity to fish for a number of different fish species including yellow perch, walleye, black crappie, rainbow trout, brown trout, smallmouth bass, and northern pike; furthermore there are opportunities to catch trophy-sized fish for several of these species. There are no bag and possession limits for northern pike and smallmouth bass at Rifle Gap Reservoir.
Special Regulations
- The bag and possession limit and minimum size for walleye is three fish, 15 inches in length.
- No more than one walleye greater than 18 inches in length may be taken per day.
- The bag and possession limit for yellow perch is twenty fish.
Segment: From Maroon Creek downstream to confluence with Fryingpan River
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
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.
Special Regulations
From Maroon Creek down to the upper Woody Creek bridge:
- Fishing is by artificial flies only.
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
From the upper Woody Creek bridge down to the Fryingpan River:
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- The bag and possession limit and minimum size for trout is two fish, 16 inches in length.
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, walleye
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.
Special Regulations
- There is no bag or possession limit for walleye.
Segment: From US 40 bridge east of Hayden at the pumphouse downstream to Yampa River SWA boat ramp
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass
The Yampa River through Hayden, Colorado, has become a destination float-fishing mecca. Some walk-wade fishing access is available, primarily at the lower end of the reach at the Yampa River State Park and the Yampa River State Wildlife Area. A majority of this reach is private property and access is limited to the float-fishing season. This reach has become a fantastic trout fishery with numerous large rainbow and brown trout encountered frequently along with the occasional mountain whitefish. There is also the opportunity to encounter the occasional northern pike and smallmouth bass (harvest of these species is encouraged to help bolster the trout resource). This scenic 20-miles of float fishing can be broken up into a 13-mile float and a 7-mile float with three boat ramp access points. The Yampa River State Park offers camping and amenities, and there are numerous recreational opportunities in the area.
Special Regulations
- The bag and possession limit for trout is two fish.
- There is no bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Southeast Region Waters
Species: Crappie, blue catfish,channel catfish, largemouth bass, saugeye/walleye, wiper, freshwater drum
Good fishing opportunity exists for crappie and catfish (blue and channel). Boat anglers are more successful, as shore fishing is limited to the south side of the lake. But shore anglers can be successful, especially for the abundant catfish that inhabit the lake. Other species available include: largemouth bass, saugeye/walleye, wiper, and freshwater drum.
Special Regulations
- Trotlines and jugs are permitted.
Segment: From West Beaver Creek downstream to the confluence with Arkansas River
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout
Beaver Creek offers anglers an excellent stream fishing opportunity for brown trout, rainbow trout, and brook trout. Anglers can enjoy fishing the Beaver Creek SWA while appreciating the scenic and secluded landscape. The stream section presents an excellent opportunity to practice fly fishing or spin fishing skills on a smaller river.
Special Regulations
Species: Cutthroat trout
Boss Reservoir is a beautiful mountain reservoir sitting at 10,800' near Monarch Pass. The reservoir is accessible via moderate hike on the Hunt Lake trail or a ride up on a 4x4 road. Boss offers scenic views of the Colorado Rocky Mountains with an excellent opportunity to catch wild cutthroat trout. Cutthroats up to 18" can be found cruising the shoreline and can be caught with fly and lure. Boss Reservoir provides a backcountry fishing experience for anglers looking to get away from more crowd
Special Regulations
Segment: From South Cottonwood Creek downstream to the confluence with Arkansas River
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
Anglers can enjoy fishing the Harmon SWA on Cottonwood Creek just minutes outside of the town of Buena Vista, CO. Cottonwood Creek offers great fishing opportunities for brown trout and rainbow trout in a beautiful setting close to town.
Special Regulations
Species: Rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, cutbow, channel catfish
Frantz Lake State Wildlife Area is a top quality fishery in the heart of Salida, CO. Frantz Lake provides an excellent fishing experience for the whole family and also has an ADA access fishing pier. No motorized boating is allowed at the SWA however hand-launched fishing craft such as canoes and kayaks are popular. 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.
Special Regulations
Segment: From Johnson Gulch downstream to confluence with Arkansas River
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
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.
Special Regulations
Species: White bass, wiper, crappie, saugeye/walleye, largemouth bass, channel catfish. freshwater drum, flathead catfish, blue catfish, smallmouth bass, bluegill
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.
Special Regulations
- Trotlines and jugs are permitted.
Species: Northern pike, rainbow trout, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, wiper, crappie, catfish
Good fishing opportunity exists for very large predators as northern pike are present in the reservoir. While boat anglers tend to be more successful, there is plenty of shore fishing opportunities. While trout are stocked routinely in Martin Reservoir, it is also a fantastic warm water fishery for largemouth and smallmouth bass, wiper, crappies, and catfish.
Special Regulations
- The minimum size for largemouth, smallmouth, and spotted bass is 15 inches in length.
Species: Tiger trout, splake, rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon
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.
Special Regulations
- Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from October 1 through December 31.
Species: Wiper, saugeye/walleye, crappie, largemouth bass, channel catfish
Although current water levels are somewhat low, good fishing opportunities exist for wipers, saugeye/walleye, crappie, largemouth bass, and channel catfish. Boat anglers are most successful, as shore fishing can be difficult due to shallow depths along the shoreline and numerous tamarisk trees. Fishing kayakers, belly boaters, or wading anglers can be successful when the lake is relatively calm.
Special Regulations
- Trotlines and jugs are permitted.
Species: Tiger trout, splake, rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon
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.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
Segment: From FR 231 downstream to confluence with North Fork South Arkansas River
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout
The South Arkansas River offers an excellent stream fishing opportunity very close to the town of Salida, CO. This fishery boasts high densities of brown trout, brook trout, and rainbow trout, with some quality size fish, throughout this stretch. The river has several easy access points in the upper reaches making it friendly for a variety of anglers.
Special Regulations
Southwest Region Waters
Species: Lake trout, rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon
Blue Mesa provides unmatched opportunities for anglers to catch trophy lake trout and 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.
Special Regulations
- Ice fishing shelters must be portable.
- There is no bag or possession limit for lake trout.
- No more than one lake trout greater than 32 inches in length may be taken per day.
- Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from November 1 through December 31.
- The bag limit for kokanee salmon is 5 fish.
- The possession limit for kokanee salmon is 10 fish.
Conejos River (Colorado Quality Waters Map)
Segment: From Menkhaven Resort downstream to Aspen Glade Campground
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
This stretch of river provides angling opportunities for trophy-sized brown and rainbow trout. Tackle is restricted to files only. Access is allowed through fishing easements on the Bear Creek and Sheep Creek subdivisions.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies only.
- The bag and possession limit and minimum size for trout is two fish, 16 inches in length.
Segment: From McPhee Reservoir dam downstream to Ferris Campground
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
The Dolores River below McPhee Dam is remote, hard to get to, and the tailwater trout fishery can “ebb and flow” upstream and downstream depending on the water supply, but it consisttently produces quality rainbow and brown trout, particularly in the spring when most flowing rivers are turbid and blown out from high runoff.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
- There is no bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch, or crappie.
Species: Largemouth bass, rainbow trout, green sunfish, channel catfish, crappie, yellow perch
Echo Canyon Reservoir offers a diverse fishery, including trophy-sized largemouth bass (the state record came out of Echo). There are abundant angling opportunities for kids (green sunfish, catfish, crappie, perch, and trout) and the serious trophy angler (largemouth bass).
Special Regulations
- All largemouth bass between 12 and 15 inches in length must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Lake Fork Gunnison River (Colorado Quality Waters Map)
Segment: From High Bridge Gulch downstream to Blue Mesa Reservoir
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
The Lake Fork of the Gunnison provides anglers with quality trout fishing opportunities for rainbow and brown trout on several reaches on Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service lands. These reaches are available for bank and wade fishing only.
Special Regulations
Excepting from the BLM boundary below The Gate campground to the confluence with Cherry Creek:
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- The bag and possession limit and minimum size for brown trout is two fish, 16 inches in length.
- All rainbow trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
From the BLM boundary below The Gate campground to the confluence with Cherry Creek:
- The bag and possession limit for trout is two fish.
Species: Cutbow, brown trout
Located on Dan Noble State Wildlife Area at the base of Lone Cone Mountain, Miramonte Reservoir is a fertile, productive fishery that grows trout to quality size. The fishery consists of cutbows and brown trout, with a healthy population of fish to 20 inches and a few fish over six pounds. Anglers find success fishing flies lures and bait, and the fishery can offer some good ice fishing as well.
Special Regulations
Segment: Within Coller State Wildlife Area
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
This river provides excellent angling opportunities through shore, wading, or float fishing. There is lots of reasonable access, and this section has multiple habitat structures that hold large numbers of fish. It meets Gold Medal standards for the number of larger fish; however, biomass estimates are slightly below the Gold Medal standard.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- The bag and possession limit and maximum size for brown trout is two fish, 12 inches in length.
- All rainbow trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Segment: From Rio Grande Fisherman Area downstream to Marshall Park Campground
Species: Cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout
This stretch of river provides excellent habitat and large numbers of wild brown trout. It can be accessed from shore or by wading. Float fishing is also good but can be difficult at low flows.
Special Regulations
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- The bag and possession limit and maximum size for brown trout is two fish, 12 inches in length.
- All rainbow trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
Segment: From Pine Creek downstream to Taylor Park Reservoir
Species: Brown trout
Although this 12-mile segment is not as well known and does not contain as large of a size structure as the Gold Medal segment of the Taylor River downstream, the Taylor River above Taylor Park Reservoir does provide good opportunities for anglers to catch quality wild brown trout.
Special Regulations
Species: lake trout, rainbow trout, northern pike, kokanee salmon
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.
Special Regulations
- Gaffs and tail snares are prohibited.
- The bag and possession limit for lake trout is three fish, only one of which may be greater than 26 inches in length.
- Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from September 1 through December 31.
Species: Cutthroat trout
Treasure Creek supports a healthy population of self-sustaining cutthroat trout. It is a smaller water with multiple waterfalls. It is best fished from shore or wading.
Special Regulations
Segment: From Ridgway Reservoir dam downstream to Ouray Co Rd 2 bridge
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
This section of the Uncompahgre River runs from Ridgway Reservoir Dam to the County Road 2 Bridge with two public reaches on Ridgway State Park and Billy Creek SWA serving as the primary access locations. This fishery has healthy numbers of brown and rainbow trout with a handful of fish over 20 inches available. The fishery potential is limited by the flow conditions coming out of Ridgway Reservoir. The Paco-chu-puk section of the river on Ridgway State Park requires catch and release and artificial flies and lures only, and the fish can be somewhat picky. The section on Billy Creek SWA allows all methods and harvest but has lower use due to difficult access along the river.
Special Regulations
From the fence just below the USGS Gauge Station below Ridgway Dam downstream to the confluence with Cow Creek:
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch.
- There is no bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
From the confluence with Cow Creek downstream to end of the segment:
- There is no bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Segment: From Woodgate Road downstream to LaSalle Road bridge (Montrose)
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout
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. Public access is sporadic and primarily exists within the town of Montrose. Anglers should take care to know property boundaries before fishing.
Special Regulations
From the Woodgate Road down to Colo 90 bridge:
- There is no bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
From the Colo 90 bridge down to LaSalle Rd. bridge:
- Fishing is by artificial flies and lures only.
- All trout must be returned to the water immediately upon catch. 3. There is no bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
Species: Rainbow trout, brown trout, northern pike, smallmouth bass, walleye
Vallecito Reservoir produced a state-record northern pike in the past, and trophy-sized pikes are routinely captured today. Rainbow trout are consistently in the “quality” size or larger category, and brown trout exceeding 30 inches and 14 lbs have been captured in the lake, although rarely.
Special Regulations
