Fishing in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region
Explore fishing in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region of Colorado. Grand Mesa Inlet, Colorado River, Roaring Fork,
The inlet streams feeding Grand Mesa (300+ lakes) offer good fishing for the region's target species.
1. Grand Mesa Inlet (300+ lakes)
Grand Mesa (300+ lakes) Inlet, ColoradoThe inlet streams feeding Grand Mesa (300+ lakes) offer good fishing for the region's target species.
Boat Launch: Grand Mesa Inlet →
2. Colorado River (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Colorado River, ColoradoColorado River offers excellent fishing in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa with good public access and scenic surroundings.
- ⚠ This water: {G} GOLD MEDAL WATERS FROM FRASER RIVER TO TROUBLESOME CREEK, AND FROM CANYON CREEK TO ROCK CREEK. FROM LAKE GRANBY DAM DOWNSTREAM TO THE U.S. 40 BRIDGE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES WEST OF HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS:
- ⚠ This water: 1. Bag and possession limit for trout is 2.
- ⚠ This water: FROM THE U.S. 40 BRIDGE APPROXIMATELY 3 MILES WEST OF HOT SULPHUR SPRINGS DOWNSTREAM TO CONFLUENCE WITH TROUBLESOME CREEK (APPROXIMATELY 5 MILES EAST OF KREMMLING):
- ⚠ This water: 1. Artificial flies and lures only.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Trout must be returned to water immediately.
- ⚠ This water: FROM THE CONFLUENCE WITH THE WILLIAMS FORK RIVER DOWNSTREAM TO THE STATE LINE:
- ⚠ This water: 1. No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
- ⚠ This water: FROM CONFLUENCE WITH TROUBLESOME CREEK DOWNSTREAM TO I-70 EXIT 90 BRIDGE AT RIFLE (EXCLUDING 50 YARDS UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF CONFLUENCES WITH CANYON, ELK, GRIZZLY & NO NAME CREEKS):
- ⚠ This water: 1. Bag and possession limit for trout is 2.
- ⚠ This water: FROM 50 YARDS UPSTREAM AND DOWNSTREAM OF THE CONFLUENCES WITH CANYON, ELK, GRIZZLY & NO NAME CREEKS:
- ⚠ This water: 1. Bag and possession limit for trout is 2.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Fishing prohibited March 15–May 31 and Oct. 1–Nov. 30.
- ⚠ This water: 
- ⚠ This water: FROM SHADOW MOUNTAIN DAM SPILLWAY TO LAKE GRANBY, INCLUDING COLUMBINE BAY TO THE TWIN CREEK INLET:
- ⚠ This water: 1. Fishing prohibited Oct. 15–Nov. 30.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
3. Roaring Fork (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Roaring Fork, ColoradoRoaring Fork offers excellent fishing in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa with good public access and scenic surroundings.
- ⚠ This water: FROM THE HEADWATERS DOWNSTREAM TO CONFLUENCE WITH GOOSE CREEK, INCLUDING UNNAMED TRIBUTARY STREAMS:
- ⚠ This water: 1. Artificial flies and lures only.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
4. Fryingpan (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Fryingpan, ColoradoFryingpan offers excellent fishing in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa with good public access and scenic surroundings.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
5. Lake K10 (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Lake K10, ColoradoLake K10 offers good fishing opportunities in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa of Colorado with scenic natural surroundings.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
6. Big Meadows Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Big Meadows Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
7. Blue Mesa Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Blue Mesa Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Ice-fishing shelters must be portable.
- ⚠ This water: 2. No bag or possession limit for lake trout.
- ⚠ This water: 3. Only 1 lake trout longer than 32 inches may be taken per day.
- ⚠ This water: 4. Snagging kokanee permitted Nov. 1–Dec. 31.
- ⚠ This water: 5. Bag limit for kokanee is 5. 6. Possession limit for kokanee is 10.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
8. Bonham Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Bonham Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
9. Crater Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Crater Lake, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
10. Crawford Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Crawford Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Bag, possession limit and min. size for largemouth bass is one fish, 18 inches long.
- ⚠ This water: 2. No bag or possession limit for yellow perch.
- ⚠ This water: FROM THE FENCE ON TOP OF THE CRAWFORD RESERVOIR DAM DOWNSTREAM TO THE NORTH BOUNDARY FENCE:
- ⚠ This water: 1. Fishing prohibited in spillway, stilling basin and outlet canal.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
11. Crystal Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Crystal Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–Dec. 31.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
12. Dawson Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Dawson Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
13. Emerald Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Emerald Lake, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
14. Grass Valley Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Grass Valley Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
15. Grizzly Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Grizzly Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
16. Homestake Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Homestake Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
17. Kenney Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Kenney Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
18. Lake County (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Lake County, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
19. Lake San Cristobal (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Lake San Cristobal, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
20. Lemon Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Lemon Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
21. Lizard Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Lizard Lake, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
22. Lost Man Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Lost Man Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
23. Maroon Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Maroon Lake, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
24. McPhee Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
McPhee Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Largemouth and smallmouth bass 10–15 inches long must be returned to the water immediately.
- ⚠ This water: 2. No bag or possession limit for walleye.
- ⚠ This water: 3. Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–Dec. 31.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
25. Miramonte Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Miramonte Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
26. Morrow Point Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Morrow Point Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–Dec. 31.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
27. O'Haver Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
O'Haver Lake, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
28. Paonia Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Paonia Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: FROM THE TOP OF PAONIA DAM DOWNSTREAM TO THE BOUNDARY FENCE BELOW THE STILLING BASIN:
- ⚠ This water: 1. Fishing prohibited as posted.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Artificial flies and lures only.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Artificial flies and lures only.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
29. Platoro Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Platoro Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
30. Ridgway Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Ridgway Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–Dec. 31.
- ⚠ This water: 2. No bag, possession limit for smallmouth bass.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
31. Rifle Gap Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Rifle Gap Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Bag, possession and min. size for walleye is 3, 15 inches long.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Only 1 walleye longer than 18 inches may be taken per day.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Bag and possession limit for yellow perch is 20.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
32. Ruedi Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Ruedi Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
33. Silver Jack Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Silver Jack Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
Boat Launch: Ridgeway Marina →
34. Snowmass Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Snowmass Lake, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
35. Summit Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Summit Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Min. size for largemouth bass is 15 inches long.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
36. Sylvan Lake State Park (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Sylvan Lake State Park, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
37. Taylor Park Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Taylor Park Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- ⚠ This water: 1. Bag and possession limit for lake trout is 3. Only 1 may be longer than 26 inches.
- ⚠ This water: 2. Gaffs and tail snares prohibited. 3. Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–Dec. 31.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
38. Turquoise Lake (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Turquoise Lake, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
39. Vallecito Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Vallecito Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
40. Vega Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Vega Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
41. Williams Creek Reservoir (Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout)
Williams Creek Reservoir, ColoradoPopular fishing lake in the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region region of Colorado.
- Trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon, mountain whitefish (except kokanee) · Limit: 4 aggregate (8 possession)
Fishing Tips for the Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region
- Get a licence — All anglers need a valid state fishing licence — check your state's wildlife agency site.
- Check the weather & water conditions — always check forecasts and wind before heading out, especially on big water.
- Know the regulations — size and catch limits vary by water body in Colorado; check the local regulations first.
- Best times — early morning and late evening are prime. Many Western Colorado & Grand Mesa Region waters fish best in spring and fall.
- Use the right gear — match your rod, line, and tackle to the species you're chasing and the water you're fishing.
More Regions in Colorado
- Central Rockies & Summit County
- Eastern Colorado & Plains
- Northern Colorado & Front Range
- Northwestern Colorado & Steamboat
- Southwestern Colorado & San Juans
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