Gunnison/Crested Butte Colorado – Trout and Kokanee Fishing

We’ve lived in Colorado for 12 years now and have by no means explored the Gunnison/Crested Butte space. We determined we have to discover that space this summer time and fish the well-known Blue Mesa Reservoir for Lake Trout. We discovered that this space is a good place for numerous out of doors actions together with climbing, biking, kayaking, paddle boarding and fishing. Additionally it is filled with breathtaking views.

We discovered a number of superior fishing holes that had been household pleasant and some that required a bit of bit extra talent. There have been locations the place you can work in your fly fishing methods or forged a line with a spinning reel and bobber. The fishing spots are simple to get to with some extra crowded than others.

The primary place we stopped was Willow Creek in Taylor Park. The creek is a tributary stream to Taylor Park Reservoir. We had been capable of catch a pair good Rainbow Trout and Brown Trout on the fly rod. There are a pair beaver dams, however they weren’t very productive. We hiked alongside the creek searching for fishable areas which had been few and much between.

We determined to go attempt Taylor Park Reservoir. We fished the inlet and caught a pair good sized Rainbow Trout utilizing spinning gear and bobbers with a nightcrawler hooked about 2 ft. from the bobber. We heard the realm subsequent to the dam is nice fishing, however we didn’t attempt it this time.

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We tried to search out locations that had been off the crushed path and weren’t busy, however this time of yr it appeared like most locations had individuals from all around the USA having fun with the Colorado open air. We did discover a couple extra fishing holes within the Crested Butte space that had been a fairly busy, however we did discover locations to fish with out situation. We first fished at Irwin Lake. (map) This was the busiest of all of the spots we discovered. It’s positioned 9 miles from city and sits at 10,200 ft. overlooking the Ruby Mountain Vary. There’s in a single day tenting obtainable on the Irwin Lake Campground.

We had been capable of hike a bit of methods to the appropriate of the parting lot to discover a spot to fish. There’s a path alongside the lake or a mud street you possibly can stroll down and minimize over to the lake. We caught a number of Rainbow Trout and Brook Trout utilizing nightcrawlers on a hook with and with no bobber. That is additionally a pleasant place to paddleboard and kayak.

Not removed from Irwin Lake was Misplaced Lake Slough. The lake is positioned in Misplaced Lake Campground. There have been only some different individuals fishing upon arriving and there have been loads of locations to toss in a line. There was some visitors and campers climbing by the lake. We had been capable of catch a couple of stocked Rainbow Trout on dimension 8 baitholder hooks and nightcrawlers. Rainbows simply don’t appear to have the ability to resist the nightcrawler.

Most likely the least crowded fishing spot was Sizzling Springs Reservoir. It’s positioned about 20 miles from Gunnison. We caught a number of small Rainbow Trout. The dimensions diversified from 9″ to 12″. This can be a excellent spot for youths to have the chance to catch alot of fish. We used a dimension 8 baitholder hook and nightcrawlers with a small bobber about 2 toes above the bait. We additionally used ultralight spinning reel and rod with 6lb. line. We had been capable of catch and launch about 30 fish between us in about an hour.

One among our favourite spots to fish was The Roaring Judy Ponds. That is really a fish hatchery with a number of ponds for youths and massive children (wink, wink) to fish. This can be a excellent spot to work in your fly fishing approach or attempt completely different flies and baits utilizing a spinning reel and rod.

We used nightcrawlers and Powerbait corn on a dimension 8 hook. We fished the primary pond by the inlet, however there are a number of to attempt your luck or talent. Mr. Alan Schneider tried his luck in 1988 and now holds the Colorado report for a 30 lb 8 oz Brown Trout.

Word: Learn extra about Roaring Judy HERE.

One of many causes we determined to discover the Gunnison/Crested Butte space is known Blue Mesa Reservoir. The Colorado State report Lake Trout was caught right here and weighted 50lbs 5 oz with a size of 44 1/4 inches lengthy and a girth of 34 3/8″. blue mesa Res.

We arrived with out reserving a fishing information. We determined to take our probabilities and discover one after we arrive. As an alternative of trying on-line we drove all the way down to the marina and stumbled on a household from Dallas, Texas beaming and wanting to share their expertise about their catch whereas the information cleaned and bagged their fish. They tell us their information was superior and would extremely advocate him. We talked to the information, Jerad Cotten, and his deck hand/son, Braylen. We bought fortunate to discover a information on the final minute and booked for the next day.

We started our guided journey fishing for Kokanee and Rainbow Trout. We each caught a number of good sized Kokanee and a pair Rainbows. We’re catch and launch anglers, so we let all of them go.

Lisa Lake Trout Blue Mesa

The final couple hours of the journey we trolled for Lake Trout. Jerad bought us on a number of Lake Trout with 5 of the 8 we had on board being trophy Lake Trout together with one which was 44″ in size and 35.75lbs. Jerad’s right-hand man, Brylan was very educated additionally and took excellent care of us and the fish. That is unbelievable fishing and may solely occur in case your information is aware of what he/she is doing and is conversant in the lake and situations. This was a fishing journey of a lifetime. I’d not hesitate to guide once more with Colorado Fishing Expeditions.

There are solely a handful of locations we plan to return to the next summer time. That is undoubtedly on our should return checklist. This can be a nice space for all ages and fishing talent ranges. Take pleasure in your summer time and keep secure. You’ll be able to all the time check with the COLORADO FISHING ATLAS utilizing the telephone app or web site for extra data and maps.