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South
Fork and The Rio Grande River
Division of Wildlife (Monte Vista): (719) 852-4783
Located in the San Luis Valley, the town of South Fork is situated at
the junction of the Rio Grande River and its south fork. And within twenty
minutes of South Fork, there are thirteen lakes accessible by car or short
hikes. Stretching east for around 22 miles, from the Highway 149 bridge
along Highway 160 to the Farmers Union Canal, is the superb Gold Medal
portion of the Rio Grande. There are also opportunities for great fishing
in over 75 lakes and 150 streams and some of the very best trout fishing
in the state. Here you can find easily catchable rainbow trout, brown
trout as well as pike.
More Info:
Gunnison
and Vicinity
Division of Wildlife (Gunnison): (970) 641-0088
U.S. Forest Service (Gunnison): (970) 641-0471
The area around Gunnison and Crested Butte is another one of the top fishing
destinations in the state, not only for great fishing spots but for breathtaking
scenery. The opportunities abound in Emerald Lake, Gunnison River, Taylor
Park Reservoir, the popular Blue Mesa Reservoir and other choice locations.
At the headwaters of the East River, just north of the town of Gothic
(about nine miles from Crested Butte), lies Emerald Lake. At 10,445 feet,
it offers a scenic location and a hearty population of rainbow trout.
Emerald Lake spreads across 12 acres of surface water area with bank fishing
available from all sides. The Gunnison River has its origin at the town
of Almont, where the East and Taylor Rivers join, and heads south through
the town of Gunnison towards Montrose and designated Gold Medal Waters.
Although running through some private land, stretches along this river
boast some of the best trout fishing in the state.
More Info:
Lamar
and Vicinity
Division of Wildlife (Lamar): (719) 336-4852
In the southeastern part of the state about 60 miles north of the town
of Lamar, and 10 miles south of Eads, the Queens State Wildlife Area features
some of the best fishing in the Plains area, specifically the Nee Noshe,
Nee Gronda, Neeso Pah and the King and Queen Reservoirs - all within a
five-mile radius of each other. Several miles to the west from Lamar traveling
along Highway 50, you can check out the John Martin and Adobe Creek Reservoirs
as well. At the Queens State Reservoirs, fishing from a boat on the deep
open waters can yield any number of crappies, wipers and channel catfish
as well as the occasional walleye, perch and bass. Boat ramps are available
at all of the reservoirs except Neeso Pah. The huge John Martin Reservoir
(17,000 surface acres) features a predominantly sandy shoreline, rock
cliffs and dropoffs and boat ramps, so the choice is yours as to whether
you cast from land or go it in a boat. Here you can try for crappies,
largemouth and smallmouth bass and wipers among other species such as
a large population of saugeye and walleye. The best fishing at the Adobe
Creek Reservoir, also known as Blue Lake, is for crappies, white bass
and channel catfish. However, wipers, saugeye/walleyes and blue catfish
can also be found lurking in these waters.
White
River National Forest
White River National Forest Headquarters: (970) 945-2521
Way out in western Colorado, near the town of Meeker, be sure to check
out the fishing in the White River National Forest area. Also available
are a number of lakes and rivers in and around the Meeker area, including
the spectacular Trappers Lake, located in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area,
that gives fishermen over 200 surface acres of deep water in which to
cast. As the second largest natural lake in Colorado, Trappers Lake boasts
the largest population of native Colorado River cutthroat trout in the
world. This National Forest region has a number of high lakes that draw
the backpacking fisherman. It offers excellent fishing for those willing
to hike in to the large wilderness area. The White River has its origin
at Trappers Lake and spreads west through Meeker towards Utah. The stretch
beginning at Trappers Lake and continuing for six miles is the prime location
on this lengthy body of water. Here you will enjoy the chance to snag
cutthroat, brook and rainbow trout.
More Info:
Walden
and Vicinity
Division of Wildlife: (970) 723-4600
With fishing as one of its major attractions, the town of Walden and the
North Park region does not disappoint. Lake John and the Delanny Butte
Lakes typify the brilliant fishing experience you can expect to find here.
The three bodies of water that make up the Delanny Butte Lakes, about
12 miles west of Walden, offer highly productive trout fishing for the
sportsman using flies and lures. The northernmost lake is a Gold Medal
spot for good-sized (about 18-20 inches) brown trout. The south lake is
the spot to catch some smaller rainbow and Snake River cutthroat trout
and the east lake has brookies and Snake River cutthroat. About 17 miles
west of Walden, at Lake John - the most popular fishing location in the
area - you can expect to find some large and tasty trout just waiting
to be caught in these shallow waters. For river fishing in the area, check
out some of the best fly-fishing northern Colorado has to offer for brown,
brook and rainbow trout in the waters of the North Platte River, Michigan
River or the Roaring Fork.
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