Colorado · Fishing
Fishing in Gunnison, Colorado
Gunnison sits at 7,703 feet in a high-altitude basin where cold water stays cold well into summer, which matters a lot for fishing. The options around town split pretty cleanly between reservoir fishing and moving water.
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Gunnison sits at 7,703 feet in a high-altitude basin where cold water stays cold well into summer, which matters a lot for fishing. The options around town split pretty cleanly between reservoir fishing and moving water. On the lake side, you have Blue Mesa Reservoir access points at Lake Fork Campground and Elk Creek Campground, plus smaller stillwater spots like Vouga Reservoir, McDonough Reservoir, and McDonough Reservoir Number 2 — all within reasonable driving distance of town. For anglers who prefer current, Cochetopa Creek Rec Site puts you on a smaller stream fishery with a different pace entirely. Most of these spots are managed through the Gunnison National Forest or Curecanti National Recreation Area, so access is generally straightforward, though some sites like East Elk Creek Group Campsite and Red Creek Group Site are set up primarily for groups and may require reservations. The elevation and latitude mean the season runs shorter than lower-country Colorado — ice-out on the reservoirs typically happens in April or May, and water temperatures stay fishable through October before things slow down hard. If you're driving in from the Front Range or anywhere lower, give yourself a day to adjust before a long wade.
Frequently asked questions
What species can I expect to catch around Gunnison?
Blue Mesa Reservoir, accessible from Elk Creek Campground and Lake Fork Campground, is known for kokanee salmon and lake trout (mackinaw), along with brown trout and rainbow trout. Smaller reservoirs like Vouga and McDonough tend to hold rainbow trout. Cochetopa Creek is a stream fishery where you're more likely to encounter brown trout and brook trout in the smaller pools and runs.
When is the best time of year to fish here?
Late May through early October covers the productive window for most of these waters. June and July are strong for reservoir fishing once water temperatures stabilize after ice-out. Kokanee on Blue Mesa tend to be most active and accessible in late summer before they move into shallower water for their fall spawn, typically August into September. Cochetopa Creek fishes well in early summer when runoff settles down, usually by mid-June.
What time of day is best?
For reservoir fishing at spots like Elk Creek and Lake Fork, early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently more productive than midday, especially in summer when surface temperatures climb. On Cochetopa Creek, overcast days even out the bite and you can fish more of the day effectively. Midday in July and August on the reservoirs is generally slow.
Do I need a Colorado fishing license, and are there any special regulations I should know about?
Yes, a valid Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older at all of these sites. Curecanti National Recreation Area (which covers the Blue Mesa access points) does not charge an additional federal fishing fee, but the Colorado state license applies. Check the current Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations for Gunnison County before you go, as bag limits and gear restrictions can vary by water body and change year to year — don't rely on what someone told you last season.
What gear setup makes sense for these waters?
For the reservoirs, a medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations — trolling with spoons or small spinners covers kokanee and lake trout, while shore fishing with PowerBait or small spinners works for stocked rainbows. At Cochetopa Creek, lighter gear is more practical: a 4- or 5-weight fly rod or a light spinning setup with 4-6 lb test is appropriate for the stream's size. Waders are useful at Cochetopa Creek but not necessary at the reservoir day-use and campground sites.
