Southwest Region

Report provided with permission of the
Colorado Division of Wildlife

January 17, 2012

Beaver Creek Reservoir: This 114 acre reservoir is a State Wildlife Area near South Fork. There is vehicle access to the parking lot near the boat ramp. Anglers should expect to catch rainbow trout from 10-16 inches and brown trout and kokanee salmon from 10-14 inches. Due to dam inspections, the water level will remain 10-20’ below the high water mark for the foreseeable future. Anglers should take caution on steep slopes approaching the water. Anglers have have been successful for rainbows and kokanee up to 14” near the inlet area. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Big Meadows Reservoir: This 114 acre reservoir is a State Wildlife Area southwest of South Fork. From Highway 160, access along Forest Road 410 (two miles) is typically accessed by snowmobile, skis or snowshoes. The logging operations that have kept the road open and plowed are winding down.  Consequently, vehicle access will become limited over the next few weeks. Anglers have reported very good action using various types of jigs tipped with meal worms and earthworms. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Big Molas Lake: This 20 acre natural lake is located near Silverton. season  Ice conditions are good, however, the fishing success has been poor.  There are typically few “holdover” trout from summer stockings. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Blue Mesa Reservoir: This 8,900 acre reservoir is located west of Gunnison. Winter fishing is excellent for brown trout and lake trout and good for rainbow trout. Browns caught through the ice average 16 inches in length but occasionally reach 25 inches.  Rainbows up to 20 inches are commonly landed.  Trophy lake trout can also be found over 40 inches in length and up to about 50 pounds in weight.  Kokanee and yellow perch can also be caught through the ice but are often tougher to target.  Due to an over-abundance of small lake trout, harvest of lake trout less than 30 inches is recommended. The bag and possession limit for lake trout is unlimited, only one of which may be greater than 38 inches in length. Ice has been slow to form with Cebolla and Sapinero Basins still ice free as of early January.  Ice has formed on the Iola basin, but ice thickness is variable. Anglers may check on current conditions by contacting Curecanti National Recreation Area at (970-641-2337) or visit the National Parks Service.

Crawford Reservoir: This 390 acre reservoir is a Colorado State Park located 2 miles south of Crawford. As of January 10th there was about 8-10 inches of ice on the lake.  Fishing has been good for medium sized black crappie and smaller yellow perch around the dam.  Pike fishermen have done well with tip ups and dead suckers around the lake.  There are still a few tagged pike from population monitoring work done in 2007-2008, please report any tagged fish to the state park office or call (970) 252-6017. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact Crawford State Park (970-921-5721) or the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Montrose office (970-252-6000).  In early December there was still open water and the lake was still in the process of freezing.

Echo Canyon Reservoir: This 118 acre reservoir is a State Wildlife Area located a few miles south of Pagosa Springs on US 84. Echo Lake is typically a good lake for rainbow trout and large yellow perch. Ice conditions are good and anglers are reporting fair success for trout and perch on wax worm tipped jigs. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Groundhog Reservoir: Ice conditions are excellent with 7-8 inches of ice.  Anglers report catching their limits of 10-13 inch rainbow trout with jigs and wax worms. With the lake level at historic lows, Groundhog Reservoir may provide very good fishing this year. Access to Groundhog is typically by snowmobile (20 miles), but the road was plowed up to the last 5 miles.  Right now (mid-Jan) you can drive to the lake but that will change if we get a snowstorm. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Island Lake: This 179 acre lake on the Grand Mesa offers good ice fishing opportunity for 10-12 inch rainbow trout, a few wild cutthroat and brookies, and good-sized splake as well (8-28 inches). This lake is popular with anglers with snowmobiles. Check with the USFS for road and ice conditions (970-874-6600) or contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Montrose office (970-252-6000).  There is currently about 15 to 20 inches of ice on the lake and fishing has been good for splake and rainbow trout.

Lemon Reservoir: Located approximately 15 miles northeast of Durango. There is still open water due to unusually warm weather.  Ice conditions around shorelines are marginal at best.  No reports of angling.  For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Miramonte Reservoir: This 400 acre lake is located 20 miles south of Norwood on the Dan Noble State Wildlife Area. Ice fishing season generally runs from December to March. There is vehicle access to several points around the reservoir. Fishing can be good for larger than average rainbow trout with occasional brown trout being caught as well. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the DOW Montrose office (970-252-6000).  As of January 12th there was about 7-9 inches of ice on the lake and fishing was steady for good sized rainbow trout.  Hot patterns included Shrimpo’s and feather jigs tipped with wax worms.

Mountain Home Reservoir: This is a State Wildlife Area near Fort Garland. The water level in this reservoir is variable and may be low during the winter. It is accessible by vehicle to the boat ramp. Anglers have reported fair to good fishing for rainbow trout up to 16 inches.  Anglers have also reported catching northern pike.  This was most likely due to an illicit introduction and anglers are encouraged to keep all northern pike they catch as the bag and possession for this species is unlimited statewide.  Northern pike can decimate a trout fishery in just a few years. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Pastorius Reservoir: Fishing has been slow for 10-12 inch rainbow trout.  Ice conditions are marginal but should improve with the cold weather we are experiencing. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Rito Hondo Lake: This 40 acre lake is a State Wildlife Area located west of Creede. Access is by snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes. Anglers can expect to catch brook trout and occasionally cutthroat and rainbow trout. Anglers have reported fair to good fishing for brook trout up to 16 inches. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Road Canyon Reservoir: This 140 acre lake is a State Wildlife Area located near Creede. The reservoir is accessible by vehicle however 4WD vehicles are advised. Anglers can expect to catch rainbow trout, brook trout and splake from 10 to 18 inches. Anglers have reported good fishing with an occasional rainbow trout reaching 18 inches. This reservoir is completely frozen and fishable however, anglers should use caution as ice thickness is variable especially around the aerators. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Sanchez Reservoir: This large reservoir is a State Wildlife Area near San Luis. It is accessible by vehicle to the boat ramp. The reservoir is completely frozen over however anglers should use caution as ice conditions are variable.  The water level is currently 15-20 feet below the high water mark. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Smith Reservoir: This is a State Wildlife Area near Fort Garland. The reservoir is completely frozen and anglers have reported catching rainbow trout up to 16 inches. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Summit Reservoir: Summit Reservoir is a 350 surface acre lake located about 8 miles NW of Mancos and 20 miles NE of Cortez. Summit is stocked with rainbow trout, largemouth bass, crappie, bluegill and catfish. No reports, but the lake is ice covered.

Taylor Park Reservoir: This is a 2,000 acre reservoir located northeast of Gunnison. It freezes early and as of mid January has about 18 inches of ice.  Anglers can expect to catch lake trout and rainbow trout. During the winter, the road is plowed to the Taylor Park Trading Post. The road to the Taylor Park Marina from the Taylor River Road (FR 742) is no longer maintained through the winter. It is advised that ice fishermen plan to access the reservoir by snowmobile, snowshoes or skis as snow depths otherwise make access difficult. For updated ice conditions, contact the Taylor Park Trading Post at (970) 641-2555 or the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Gunnison office (970-641-7060).

Totten Reservoir: This small reservoir (204 acres) located east of Cortez typically has variable ice conditions. There is little to no ice on the lake. Totten is known for larger perch, bluegill, and some northern pike. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Trujillo Meadows Reservoir: This 69 acre lake is a State Wildlife Area located 40 miles west of Antonito. Access is by snowmobile, skis, or snowshoes. Anglers can expect to catch brown trout and rainbow trout. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Monte Vista office (719-587-6900).

Vallecito Reservoir: This 2,700 acre reservoir is located NE of Durango. Approximately 30% of the reservoir is still ice free.  Poor ice conditions around margins of lake. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).

Williams Creek Reservoir: Williams Creek Reservoir is covered with about 9 inches of ice. Williams Creek is generally good for brook, rainbow and cuttbow trout and the occasional kokanee salmon on jigs baited with mealworms, but recent reports suggest “hot” and “cold” fishing success. Please note that snowmobiles are allowed only as an aid to ice fishing and not for recreational use on the lake. For updated fishing reports and ice conditions, contact the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Durango office (970-247-0855).