brsColorado is teeming with wildlife just waiting to be explored! Many beautiful lakes and reservoirs dot the landscape, and thousands of beautiful fish are kept in these lakes for any and all anglers. But where should you look first? In this article, we’re going to take a look at several of the Best Fishing Lakes in Colorado. We’ll look at some quick facts, fish kept in each lake, regulations, and the best ways to get the most out of your fishing trip to each of these amazing Colorado lakes.
Lake John — One of the Best Fishing Lakes in Colorado
Quick Facts
Size: 1.1 sq mi. Max Depth: 70 ft
Elevation: 8,000 ft
Location: Walden, Colorado
What to Catch
Regulations
Standard Colorado trout limits. Fishing license required.
When to Fish
Lake John is typically open from mid-April through October, with the best fishing occurring during the cooler water temperatures of spring and fall. Winter also provides excellent ice fishing opportunities.
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
The best fishing at Lake John is done with PowerBait, worms, spinners, and small spoons. Fly fishers also have luck using midges, scuds, leeches, and woolly buggers. During the summer, trolling and jigging become more effective. You can reliably shore fish along the lake as well.
South Delaney Lake - Learn more about one of the Best Fishing Lakes in Colorado
Quick Facts
Size: 0.25 sq mi
Max Depth: 57 ft
Elevation: 8,100 ft
Location: Walden, Colorado
What to Catch
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Cutthroat Trout
- Cutbow Trout
- Lake Trout
Regulations
Artificial flies and lures only. No bait allowed. Bag and possession limit for trout is 2.
When to Fish
Late summer and early fall are the best times to fish South Delaney. Spring and summer remain productive seasons for all species. The lake is open year-round, so ice fishing is another productive option.
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
South Delaney is known for trophy brown trout. These will often go for streamers, leeches, and nighttime pattern
Why Green Mountain Reservoir Is One Of the Best Fishing Lakes in Colorado
Quick Facts
Size: ~2,125 acres
Elevation: ~7,950 ft
Dam Height: 309 ft
Location: Summit County, Colorado — Lower Blue River Basin
What to Catch
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
- Lake Trout (deep, trophy potential)
- Kokanee Salmon
Regulations
Lake trout limit: 8; kokanee snagging permitted Sept 1 – Dec 31; some downstream sections restricted to artificial flies and lures only.
When to Fish
Green Mountain Reservoir offers year-round fishing opportunities. Lake trout can be caught shallow in spring and fall before moving to deeper water in the summer, while kokanee salmon are typically found at depths with water temperatures between 48–58°F. Winter ice fishing is highly productive, especially for lake trout.
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
Anglers at Green Mountain Reservoir commonly use trolling, spoons, and deep jigs to target lake trout, which shift between shallow and deep water depending on the season. Ice fishing is especially effective for lake trout during winter, while kokanee salmon are often caught by trolling at temperature-specific depths. The Blue River tailwater below the dam offers consistent year-round action with nymphs and streamers, making this one of the best fishing lakes in Colorado.
Left Hand Reservoir - Mastering One of the Best Fishing Lakes In Colorado For Trout
Quick Facts
Size: Small alpine reservoir
Elevation: 10,700 ft
Max Depth: Shallow (not officially published)
Location: Boulder County, Colorado
What to Catch
- Rainbow Trout
Regulations
Standard Colorado fishing regulations; license required.
When to Fish
The best times to fish at Left Hand Reservoir is typically during the summer and early fall when access is clear and the lake is free of any ice. The cold water keeps the trout active year-round, and early summer is often a productive time to fish. .
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
Fishing is best done from the shore or with a float tube. Fly fisherman often find success with midges, small nymphs, and occasional dry flies. Spin anglers see success with small spoons, spinners, or PowerBait for rainbow trout.
Shadow Mountain Reservoir
Quick Facts
Size: 1,346 acres
Elevation: 8,367 ft
Max Depth: 40 f
Location: Grand County, Colorado
What to Catch
- Brown Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Kokanee Salmon
Regulations
Artificial flies and lures only in the spillway area; portable shelters required for ice fishing; license required.
When to Fish
Shadow Mountain Reservoir is productive from Spring through Fall. Trout and Kokanee are active throughout the season. It’s possible to ice fish depending on conditions. If the ice is thick enough, it can be very successful
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
Trout can be caught using spinners, spoons, or trolling setups. Kokanee salmon can also be targeted by deeper trolling or seasonal snagging (where permitted). Fishermen will often find that the water near the canal that connects Shadow Mountain Reservoir to Grand Lake is highly productive..
Lake Granby (Granby Dam) - The Best Fishing Lake In Colorado For Lake Trout
Quick Facts
Size: 7,256 acres
Elevation: 8,280 ft
Max Depth: 221 ft
Location: Grand County, Colorado
What to Catch
- Lake Trout
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
- Cutbow Trout
- Kokanee Salmon
Regulations
Bag limit for lake trout is 12, with only one over 24″; standard regulations apply to other trout. License required.
When to Fish
Lake Granby provides excellent fishing throughout the year. The best for Lake trout is the spring and fall, where you can find them in the shallow waters. The lake trout move deeper in the summer, so trolling and downriggers are most effective then. Ice fishing during winter is extremely popular and often very productive.
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
Lake trout are best caught with deep jigs, spoons, and trolling rigs. Kokanee are best targeted by trolling at depth or snagged during the permitted season. Trout respond well to spinners, spoons, streamers, and nymphs.
Red Dirt Reservoir - A Hidden Gem Among the Best Fishing Lakes in Colorado
Quick Facts
Size: Small mountain reservoir
Elevation: 8,800 ft
Max Depth: Not officially published
Location: Routt National Forest, Colorado
What to Catch
- Rainbow Trout
Regulations
Standard Colorado regulations; license required; remote area with minimal facilities.
When to Fish
Red Dirt Reservoir is a more remote location, but once the snow melts in the late spring it’s far more accessible. The fishing is good through summer into the early fall.
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
The best fishing is done from shore or small float tubes. Flies such as small nymphs, midges, and streamers are often productive. Spinners and spoons work well for rainbow trout.
Blue Mesa Reservoir: A Top Choice Among the Best Fishing Lakes in Colorado
Quick Facts
Size: 9,180 acres (largest in Colorado)
Elevation: 7,519 ft
Max Depth: 340 ft
Location: Gunnison County, Colorado
What to Catch
- Lake Trout
- Kokanee Salmon
- Rainbow Trout
- Brown Trout
Regulations
No limit on lake trout but only one over 32″ may be kept. Kokanee snagging allowed Nov 1–Dec 31. Trout limit of 4 daily/8 possession; license required.
When to Fish
Blue Mesa Reservoir is open year-round and consistently offers productive fishing. Lake trout are easier to catch in the Spring and Fall as they move into shallower waters, but they can still be caught in the summer with trolling and downriggers. Ice fishing is one of the lake’s biggest draws, especially for lake trout. In the fall, kokanee snagging is highly productive.
Fishing Conditions & Techniques
For success with Lake Trout, deep trolling, large spoons, and vertical jigging techniques are the way to go. Kokanee can be found at thermocline depths or snagging during that season. Trout are often caught near the shore with flies, spoons, and spinners. Boats greatly expand access to deeper areas where the larger fish more often congregate.
Conclusion
Colorado is teeming with fish, and these beautiful locations will provide you with all of the fishing you could ever ask for. There’s plenty to explore, so grab your pole and go have some fun exploring the best fishing lakes in Colorado!
