Colorado Area Fishing - West Colorado
GOLD MEDAL
28. STEAMBOAT LAKE STATE PARK: At the base of majestic Hahn's Peak, Steamboat Lake is known for its fine rainbow trout fishing. Boats are permitted. A State Parks pass required. Location: From Steamboat Springs, west 2 miles on Highway 40 to County Road 129. Turn north and go 26 miles to the entrance.

29. STAGECOACH RESERVOIR: At Stageecoach, big rainbow (2 pounds and up) are the rule, not the exception. Stagecoach also boasts of a healthy population of 26-inch northern pike. The reservoir was filled in 1989 and already has anglers from throughout the country testing its waters. A State Parks pass is required. Location: Seven miles east of Oak Creek; 15 miles south of Steamboat Springs.

30. LAKE JOHN: Known in the past as a producer of large trout, this lake was treated in 1993 to remove an over-abundant population of white suckers. The lake was restocked with rainbows and Snake River cutthroat. Bait works well in early spring and summer with many fish caught on flies, especially large streamers from midsummer into the fall. Location: From Walden, .5 miles west on Highway 14 to County Road 12, then 8 miles west to County Road 7, then 7 miles north to the lake.

GOLD MEDAL - North Delaney Butte only
31. DELANEY BUTTE LAKES: These three bodies of water are highly productive trout lakes. North Delaney Butte Lake is stocked exclusively with brown trout fingerlings. Lake habitat provides the potential for fish to grow 18- to 20-inch trout in a short time. East and South Delaney Butte Lakes are also productive trout lakes, but they are managed to produce somewhat smaller fish for the creel. The south lake contains rainbow and Snake River cutthroat trout. The east lake has brook and Snake River cutthroat trout. All three lakes have sanitary facilities, and each has a boat ramp. Location: From Walden, .5 miles west on Highway 14 to County Road 18, 4.5 miles west on 18 to County Road 5, 1 mile north.

GOLD MEDAL - North Platte Only
32. NORTH PARK STREAMS: Slow meandering streams flowing across the valley floor offer some of northern Colorado's best fly-fishing for brown, brook and rainbow trout. The Division has leased public fishing easements on a number of these waters. Stream leases include portions of the North Platte River, Norris and Roaring creeks, Grizzly Creek, the North Fork of the North Platte and the Michigan and Illinois rivers. Location: Walden area. Contact the Division of Wildlife for information on maps and current leases.

33. TRAPPER'S LAKE: This lake holds the largest population of native Colorado River cutthroat trout in the world! The second largest natural lake in Colorado, this pristine body of water is located within the Flattops Wilderness Area, but is only a quarter-mile hike from the end the road. Hand-propelled craft may be rented from the lodge nearby. Location: From the town of Buford, 24 miles east on Highway 132.

34. RIFLE GAP RESERVOIR: This reservoir supports a large population of rainbow trout, but is known for the best walleye fishing in northwest Colorado. Boats are allowed and camping is available. State Parks pass required. Location: From Rifle, 4 miles north on Highway 325.

35. WOLFORD MOUNTAIN RESERVOIR: Operated by the Colorado River Water Conservation District, Wolford Mountain Reservoir opened on Memorial Day 1996, and has already gained a healthy reputation for producing 16-inch rainbow trout. The recreation area features 48 full-service campsites with electricity (fee required), picnic tables, shelters, fire grates, water, restrooms, trash removal, dump station, a concrete boat ramp and two group-use sites. Location: Located 6.5 miles northwest of Kremmling on U.S. Highway 40.

GOLD MEDAL
36. BLUE RIVER: This water flows out of Dillon Reservoir and boasts fantastic rainbow and brown trout fishing. Fly and lure fishing only. Location: Located on Highway 9 at the Frisco-Silverthorne Exit.

GOLD MEDAL Fryingpan and Roaring only
37. FRYINGPAN, CRYSTAL, ROARING FORK RIVERS: These rivers offer some of the finest fly and lure fishing for trout in the United States. Catch-and-release sections on the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Reservoir provide anglers with an opportunity to catch rainbow trout up to 10 pounds! The Roaring Fork River not only provides excellent trout fishing with majestic Mount Sopris in the background, but also offers the best mountain whitefish angling in the state. Location: Take Interstate 70 to Glenwood Springs, then Highway 82 to Basalt and Aspen.

38. GRAND MESA LAKES: On the Grand Mesa plateau southeast of Grand Junction, some of the finest fishing waters in the state are found in the dozens of lakes, reservoirs and streams located here. Some 22 picnicking and camping areas are available, plus accommodations, boats, horses and guides, etc., (contact the Delta Chamber of Commerce at (303) 874-8616). Location: From Delta, north on Highway 65.

GOLD MEDAL
39. GUNNISON RIVER: The Gunnison River in the Gunnison Gorge provides some of the best trophy brown and rainbow trout fishing in the state. Numerous fish over 16 inches can be caught particularly in the middle stretch between Crystal and the confluence with the North Fork, but only foot access is available to this section. Location: Take Highway 92, 15 miles east of Delta to the Pleasure Forks turn-off (200 yards before crossing the railroad tracks). Foot access available down the Duncan, Ute, Chukar and Bobcat trails.

40. TAYLOR RIVER AND RESERVOIR: Excellent rainbow and brown trout fishing is available in the tailwater below Taylor Dam and reservoir, where anglers have taken trout 8 pounds and up! In the reservoir, 10- to 14-inch rainbow, brown, Snake River cutthroat and lake trout along with kokanee salmon. Location: Northeast of Almont on Highway 742.

41. BLUE MESA RESERVOIR: Provides excellent fishing for 15-inch rainbow trout in April and May and if you like ice fishing, in December and January. There is also good fishing for kokanee salmon. Trophy lake trout can be caught in the spring immediately after the ice melts. Location: Take Highway 50, 9 miles west of Gunnison.

42. DOLORES RIVER: The Dolores River, below McPhee Reservoir, is one of the best rivers in the southwest part of the state. Rainbows and browns are abundant and the scenery is spectacular. There is road access for the first 11 miles and boat access for the next 20 miles. There are two campgrounds and one day-use area along the river. Location: Take Highway 666, 21 miles north of Cortez to Pleasant View. Turn on USFS Road 505 to the Bradfield Bridge.

Special regulations apply on many of the waters listed here. Check a current copy of the Colorado Fishing Season Information before fishing.