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Colorado · Fishing
Buena Vista sits in a stretch of central Colorado where the Arkansas River runs cold and fast through the upper valley, and a handful of lakes and reservoirs fill the gaps between the peaks. The fishing here splits pretty cleanly between moving water and still water.
10 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 10 spots
Buena Vista sits in a stretch of central Colorado where the Arkansas River runs cold and fast through the upper valley, and a handful of lakes and reservoirs fill the gaps between the peaks. The fishing here splits pretty cleanly between moving water and still water. On the river side, the Arkansas through the Collegiate Peaks corridor is the main draw, offering wade fishing through a canyon-framed stretch that sees consistent pressure but also consistent fish. For lake fishing, you have a spread of options at different elevations and effort levels: Clear Creek Reservoir is the most accessible, while spots like Lake Ann and Cottonwood Lake require more of a commitment to reach. Willis Lake, Rainbow Lake, and the Ice Pond round out the still-water options closer to town. Dawson Cabin sits near its own lake fishing access, making it a useful base if you want to fish multiple mornings without driving back each time. The mix of water types means you can tailor a trip around your skill level and how much hiking you want to do. Bring a valid Colorado fishing license regardless of where you plan to wet a line.
The Arkansas River and most of the surrounding lakes hold rainbow trout as the primary target. Brown trout show up in the river as well, particularly in slower runs and deeper pockets. The lakes, including Cottonwood Lake, Willis Lake, and Rainbow Lake, are stocked periodically and tend to hold rainbow trout at a catchable size.
Late spring through early fall is the main window, but timing matters. Runoff on the Arkansas River typically peaks in May and June, making the water high, fast, and murky. July through September is when river conditions settle and wade fishing becomes practical. The high-country lakes like Lake Ann may not be fully accessible until late June or even July depending on snowpack.
Collegiate Peaks
~10 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Dawson Cabin
~15 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Chalk Lake
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Crescent Mining Camp
~17 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Cascade
~22 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
White Star
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Bassam Guard Station
~36 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Lakeview Campground
~25 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
May Queen
~47 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Lakeview Gunnison
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Arkansas River #3b
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Lottis Creek Campground
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Early morning and the two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows on the Arkansas. Midday fishing can still work, especially during a hatch, but the fish tend to be less active when the sun is high and the water temperature climbs. On the lakes, early morning is your best bet before surface disturbance from wind picks up.
For the river, a 9-foot 5-weight fly rod is the standard setup, and nymphing rigs outperform dry flies on most days. For the lakes, a spinning rod with small spinners or PowerBait works well and is more beginner-friendly than fly fishing moving water. If you're hiking into Lake Ann or Cottonwood Lake, pack light and bring a compact rod that travels easily.
Yes, with the right spot. Clear Creek Reservoir and the Ice Pond are the most forgiving options for newer anglers since still water is easier to read and fish than a moving river. The Arkansas River through the Collegiate Peaks stretch has more technical sections that reward anglers who already know how to read current and present a fly or lure naturally.
