| Fishing In National Forests |
| | White River National Forest | | Nestled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains, the White River National Forest consists of 2.3 million acres and 8 wilderness areas. White River National Forest is known as the top recreation forest in the nation. | |
|
|  | | Return to Top of Page | |
| Fishing In State Parks |
| | Harvey Gap State Park | | This area, five miles east of Rifle Gap Reservoir, is a favorite spot with anglers. The 160-acre lake is stocked with a variety of cold and warm water fish, including rainbow trout, crappie, catfish and smallmouth bass. | |
|
| | Rifle Falls State Park | | This area is the closest you'll get to the tropics in Colorado. The falls is a lush area of trees and greenery kept moist by the spray of the cascading triple waterfall. Camping, hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing are all available. | |
|
| | Rifle Gap Reservoir | | Anglers enjoy catching rainbow and German brown trout, walleye, channel catfish, smallmouth and largemouth bass. | |
|
| | Rifle Gap State Park | | The clean, clear waters of this 350 acre reservoir afford some of the best scuba diving, boating, swimming, water-skiing and windsurfing in Colorado. Camping, hiking and picnicking opportunities at this 1,305-acre park also await the Rifle Gap State Park visitor. | |
|
| | Sylvan Lake State Park | | This park is a scenic park open year-round for campers, picnickers, hikers, photographers and those who just want to relax in this alpine atmosphere. | |
|
| | | Return to Top of Page | |
| Fishing In Wildlife Preserves & Refuges |
| | Basalt State Wildlife Area | | This refuge is located in Eagle County and contains 4,706 acres of wetlands. Recreation includes wildlife and birdwatching, fishing, hunting, photography, day hiking, picnicking, an outdoor shooting range open to public, and camping only during big game seasons. | |
|
| | Carbondale State Wildlife Area | | This State Wildlife Area is a drift boat launching site and parking area on the Roaring Fork River just below the bridge at Carbondale. | |
|
| | Eagle River State Wildlife Area | | The Eagle River State Wildlife Area is a string of leases that provides five miles of fishing access on the river. No other activities are permitted here. | |
|
| | Gypsum Ponds State Wildlife Area | | These small ponds are located near the river just east of town and were created during the construction of I-70. The local community of Gypsum uses these ponds as a means of teaching their young outdoor enjoyment. | |
|
| | | Return to Top of Page | |
| Lakes & Reservoirs |
| | Deep Lake | | This area receives heavy fishing pressures for rainbow and brook trout, as well as mackinaw (lake trout). The cold waters of this lake have yielded the Colorado State Record Lake Trout at 36 pounds, 42 inches long. The Colorado Division of Wildlife stocks 10 inch rainbow trout on a regular basis. | |
|
| | Heart Lake | | This lake is the largest lake on the Eagle Ranger District of the White River Forest at 480 acres. Heart Lake offers fishing for brook trout only. Bank fishing is difficult, but the use of small boats improves fishing capabilities. | |
|
| | Meadow Lake | | This lake offers recreational opportunities such as fishing and boating. | |
|
| | Rainbow Lake | | The small lake, located in the White River National Forest, provides two surface acres of Rainbow, Brook and Cutthroat Trout fishing. | |
|
| | Ruedi Reservoir | | This reservoir sits in the beautiful Fryingpan River Valley. Ruedi offers a scenic area for some outstanding water and land-based recreation activities. | |
|
| | Sweetwater Lake | | The campground is the only public access to this lake. There is a dock, but no public boat ramp. Canoes, row boats and small boats with electric motors are permitted, but gasoline-powered motors are not allowed. | |
|
| | Sylvan Lake | | Fishing is excellent year-round for brook and rainbow trout. Sylvan is one of few mountain lakes that are stocked with brook trout. | |
|
| | Trapper's Lake | | This lake holds the largest population of Colorado River cutthroat in the world and is the second largest natural lake in Colorado. | |
|
| | | Return to Top of Page | |
| Rivers & Streams |
| | Crystal River | | This river harbors good numbers of rainbows and browns with the occasional cutthroat or brookie, and can be fished all year in the lower reaches. | |
|
| | Eagle River | | Much of the 70-plus mile river is open to public fishing. One can wade the Eagle during much of its prime season. It contains all the classic types of challenging fishing water. | |
|
| | East Rifle Creek | | Rainbow and brown trout are found in East Rifle Creek, which flows through Rifle Falls. | |
|
| | Roaring Fork River | | The Roaring Fork provides the best winter fishery in the state for large trout and trophy mountain whitefish. The Fork delivers good fishing except during spring runoff. | |
|
| | | Return to Top of Page | |
|
