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Colorado · Fishing
Cedaredge sits at the base of Grand Mesa, and that geography is the whole story for fishing here. The Mesa tops out above 10,000 feet and holds more than 300 lakes and reservoirs — a dense concentration of still water that makes this area genuinely unusual for Colorado.
18 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 18 spots
Cedaredge sits at the base of Grand Mesa, and that geography is the whole story for fishing here. The Mesa tops out above 10,000 feet and holds more than 300 lakes and reservoirs — a dense concentration of still water that makes this area genuinely unusual for Colorado. The 18 fishable waters near Cedaredge are almost entirely lake and reservoir fishing, from smaller impoundments like Trickle Reservoir and Trio Reservoir to larger bodies like McCullough Reservoir, Hale Reservoir, and the Granby Reservoir chain. Island Lake and Cobbett Lake are among the more accessible spots on the Mesa, while places like Upper Hotel Lake and Ward Creek Reservoir reward anglers willing to put in a bit more effort to reach them. Grand Mesa also has a pier fishing option, which makes it one of the more accessible setups for anglers who prefer not to wade or launch a boat. The season here runs roughly late May through early October before snow closes the upper roads, so timing your visit around that window matters. If you're driving up from Cedaredge, you're looking at a short climb to reach most of these waters, which keeps crowds manageable compared to Front Range reservoirs.
Grand Mesa's reservoirs are stocked primarily with rainbow trout and cutthroat trout by Colorado Parks and Wildlife, and many of the smaller impoundments like Trickle Reservoir and the Granby Reservoir chain receive regular stocking through the season. Some of the larger or deeper waters also hold brown trout. The activity listings here don't include gold medal or wild trout water designations, so expect a mix of stocked and holdover fish rather than trophy-specific conditions.
Ice-off typically happens in late May or early June depending on elevation and snowpack, and fishing is often productive right through that transition as trout move into shallower water. Midsummer mornings and evenings are your best windows since midday sun pushes fish deeper in the clearer high-altitude lakes. By September the crowds thin out, water temperatures drop, and trout feed more aggressively through the day.
Island Lake Campground
~6 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Hotchkiss National Fish Hatchery
~35 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Grand Mesa
~4 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Gunnison River - Black Canyon
~1h 1m drive
Expert
Black Bear Cabin at Mesa Lakes
~13 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Roan Plateau - JQS Creek Cross
~1h 6m drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Jumbo Campground
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Moose Manor Cabin
~14 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Womack Reservoir Number 2
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Alexander Lake
~2 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Upper Hotel Lake
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Ward Way Picnic Site
~3 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Pier fishing
CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Lake fishing
CEDAREDGE, CO
Bank fishing is practical at most of these reservoirs, and Grand Mesa has a dedicated pier fishing setup that works well without any gear beyond a rod. Smaller impoundments like Trio Reservoir, Womack Reservoir Number 2, and Scotland Park Reservoir are compact enough that you can cover the productive water from shore. A float tube or small inflatable gives you a real advantage on larger bodies like McCullough Reservoir or Upper Hotel Lake, but it's not a requirement.
Most of the Mesa's reservoirs are reached via Highway 65, which climbs from Cedaredge up onto the Mesa and is paved the whole way. Once on top, many of the access roads to individual lakes like Cobbett Lake, Island Lake, and the Granby Reservoir chain are gravel but generally passable for two-wheel-drive vehicles in dry conditions. A few dispersed areas, including Twin Lake Dispersed Area, may have rougher two-track access where higher clearance helps. Check road conditions before heading up after rain, as the clay soils on the Mesa can get slick quickly.
You need a valid Colorado fishing license, available through Colorado Parks and Wildlife online or at local sporting goods retailers. Most of these reservoirs fall under standard statewide regulations for bag and size limits, but it's worth checking the CPW regulation booklet for any water-specific rules before you go, particularly on smaller named reservoirs where special restrictions occasionally apply. Regulations can change season to season, so don't rely on what applied the year before.
