The 10 Best Fishing Lakes in Colorado

Discover the best fishing lakes in Colorado for your next fishing trip. Learn about the top spots for fishing, including Lake Granby, Taylor Park Reservoir, and Lake Pueblo. Get tips on the best times to go and what to bring for a successful fishing outing.

Green Mountain Reservoir

Green Mountain Reservoir is located near Silverthorne in Colorado’s Summit County. It covers an area of 1,400 acres.

Type of Fish: Trout, Kokanee, Salmon
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Dock, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Silverthorne – Frisco, Comfort Inn Frisco, Beaver Run Resort and Conference Center
Nearest Fishing Store: The Tackle Box, located 9.3 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Sinclair located 8.1 miles away

Cheesman Reservoir

Cheesman Reservoir is located in Douglas County, Colorado near Deckers and covers an area of 1,840 acres.

Type of Fish: Tiger Muskie, Kokanee, Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Hampton Inn Denver West – Golden, Comfort Inn & Suites Denver West Golden, Hampton Inn & Suites Denver West Federal Center
Nearest Fishing Store: The Tackle Box, located 22.9 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, fishing piers
Nearest Gas Station: Phillips 66, located 5.2 miles away

Blue Mesa Reservoir

Blue Mesa Reservoir is located in Gunnison County, Colorado and is the largest lake in Colorado, covering an area of 20,460 acres.

Type of Fish: Kokanee, Lake Trout, Splake, Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Yellow Perch, White Suckers
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Hampton Inn & Suites Gunnison, La Quinta Inn & Suites Gunnison, Comfort Inn & Suites Gunnison
Nearest Fishing Store: Angler’s Covey, located 2.2 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps, fishing piers
Nearest Gas Station: Shell, located 0.3 miles away

Crawford Reservoir

Crawford Reservoir is located in Delta County, Colorado and spans an area of 1,586 acres.

Type of Fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Bluegill
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Holiday Inn Express & Suites Montrose, Quality Inn Montrose, Best Western Rifle Inn
Nearest Fishing Store: Sports Afield, located 17.9 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Conoco, located 5.1 miles away

Grand Lake

Grand Lake is located in Grand County, Colorado and covers an area of 3,300 acres.

Type of Fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Lake Trout
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Grand Lake Lodge, Rocky Mountain Resort, Quality Inn & Suites
Nearest Fishing Store: Sportsman’s Warehouse, located 5.4 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Rosier Petroleum, located 0.2 miles away

Lake Granby

Lake Granby is located in Grand County, Colorado and covers an area of 7,200 acres.

Type of Fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Brook Trout, Splake, Yellow Perch
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Inn at Silver Creek, The Grand Inn on Grand Lake, Prospector Lodge & Cabins
Nearest Fishing Store: Sportsman’s Warehouse, located 5.4 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Conoco, located 6.3 miles away

Horsetooth Reservoir

Horsetooth Reservoir is located in Larimer County, Colorado and spans an area of 2,300 acres.

Type of Fish: Walleye, Trout, Northern Pike, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Perch
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Best Western Plus Crossroads Inn & Conference Center, The Elizabeth Hotel, TownePlace Suites Fort Collins
Nearest Fishing Store: Gander Outdoors, located 21.8 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Sinclair, located 5.9 miles away

McPhee Reservoir

McPhee Reservoir is located in Montezuma County, Colorado and covers an area of 4,700 acres.

Type of Fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee, Smallmouth Bass, Catfish
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Quality Inn Cortez, La Quinta Inn & Suites Cortez, Best Western Turquoise Inn & Suites
Nearest Fishing Store: Southwest Outfitters, located 6.7 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Conoco, located 0.7 miles away

North Sterling Reservoir

North Sterling Reservoir is located in Logan and Morgan counties in Colorado and spans an area of 4,000 acres.

Type of Fish: Catfish, Trout, Walleye, Yellow Perch, Smallmouth Bass, Large Mouth Bass
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Hampton Inn Sterling, Holiday Inn Express Sterling, Comfort Inn Sterling
Nearest Fishing Store: Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World, located 24.7 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Sinclair, located 8.5 miles away

Pueblo Reservoir

Pueblo Reservoir is located in Pueblo County, Colorado, and covers an area of 8,500 acres.

Type of Fish: Catfish, Walleye, Large Mouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Carp, Crappie
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Holiday Inn Express Pueblo, Super 8 by Wyndham Pueblo, Best Western Pueblo Inn
Nearest Fishing Store: Big Daddy Sports, located 3.2 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Loaf ‘N Jug, located 1.4 miles away

Ridgway Reservoir

Ridgway Reservoir is located in Ouray County, Colorado and spans an area of 800 acres.

Type of Fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Chipeta Solar Springs Resort & Spa, The Historic Strater Hotel, The Leland House Banning Lewis Ranch
Nearest Fishing Store: Sportsman’s Warehouse, located 27.3 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Valero, located 1.4 miles away

Spinney Mountain Reservoir

Spinney Mountain Reservoir is located in Park County, Colorado and covers an area of 350 acres.

Type of Fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Kokanee Salmon
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: Hampton Inn Buena Vista, Holiday Inn Express & Suites Buena Vista, Comfort Inn Salida
Nearest Fishing Store: The Troutfitter, located 32.3 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Sinclair, located 5.3 miles away

Taylor Park Reservoir

Taylor Park Reservoir is located in Gunnison County, Colorado and spans an area of 800 acres.

Type of Fish: Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Crayfish
Types of Fishing: Bank, Boat, Ice
Fishing Equipment Rental: Yes
Fishing Guide Service: Yes
Closest Hotels: America’s Best Value Inn Gunnison, Comfort Inn Gunnison, Days Inn by Wyndham Gunnison
Nearest Fishing Store: Sportsman’s Warehouse, located 32.7 miles away
Basic Fishing Regulations: Statewide regulations are in effect; most areas require a valid fishing license.
Amenities of the Lake: Boat ramps, fishing piers, picnic areas, access to hiking/biking trails
Nearest Gas Station: Sinclair, located 8.1 miles away

Find Good Fishing Spots in Colorado and Other Nearby Lakes on The Map

If you’re looking to explore some of the best fishing locations in Colorado, then you’ll definitely want to check out the Google map below. It features a variety of lakes, rivers and reservoirs that are great for angling, as well as other good fishing spots. So what are you waiting for? Grab your tackle box and start exploring all the wonderful opportunities Colorado has to offer!

Check the Weather Forecast for Your Next Fishing Trip to Colorado

The weather in Colorado for sport fishing throughout the year is generally mild and pleasant. In the summer months, temperatures average around 70-80 degrees Fahrenheit during the day, and in the winter months, temperatures average around 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit. In the spring and fall, the temperatures range from the mid-50s to mid-70s, making it a great time to go fishing. Along with the temperature, there is usually a moderate amount of rainfall and snowfall throughout the year in Colorado, providing the perfect habitat for fish.