Loading trail…
Colorado · Fishing
Dolores, Colorado sits at the confluence of two distinct fishing environments: the Dolores River corridor and a handful of reservoirs and lakes within easy reach of town.
8 spotsUpdated dailyFree to access
View on mapFishing · 8 spots
Dolores, Colorado sits at the confluence of two distinct fishing environments: the Dolores River corridor and a handful of reservoirs and lakes within easy reach of town. McPhee Recreation Complex anchors the lake fishing scene here — it's the largest body of water in the area and draws anglers after bass, walleye, and kokanee salmon. Smaller stillwater options like Navajo Lake, Belmear Lake, Nielson Reservoir, and House Creek round out the lake fishing, each with its own character and access situation. For moving water, Mavreeso Campground and West Dolores Campground both sit along river stretches worth fishing, putting you on the water without a long drive from camp. The region sits at elevation, which keeps summer water temperatures reasonable and extends the productive fishing window compared to lower-elevation Colorado destinations. Note that this is not designated gold medal or wild trout water, so expectations should be set accordingly — but that also means less pressure than the marquee rivers to the north and east. A Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older, and McPhee in particular has specific slot and bag limits worth checking before you go.
McPhee Recreation Complex holds bass, walleye, and kokanee salmon, making it the most species-diverse water in the area. The river stretches near Mavreeso Campground and West Dolores Campground are trout water, though this is not designated gold medal or wild trout water. Smaller lakes like Navajo Lake, Belmear Lake, and Nielson Reservoir are stocked periodically by Colorado Parks and Wildlife — check CPW's stocking reports before your trip for current conditions.
Late spring through early fall is the most productive window overall. On the river stretches, early morning and evening in June and July tend to be most active before afternoon heat sets in. McPhee and the smaller reservoirs fish well through summer and into September, with kokanee at McPhee typically most active in cooler morning hours. Ice fishing is possible on some of the smaller lakes in winter, but access and conditions vary year to year.
Mavreeso Campground
~9 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
House Creek
~20 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Vallecito Reservoir
~1h 24m drive
Easy
West Dolores Campground
~11 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Mcphee Recreation Complex
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Cayton Campground
~42 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Joe Moore Reservoir
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Chris Park
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Matterhorn
~53 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Lower Beaver Rec. Site
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Haviland Lake Campground
~57 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Junction Creek Campground
~58 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
No, but a boat opens up significantly more water. The McPhee Recreation Complex and House Creek Boating Site both provide boat ramp access. Shore fishing is available at several points around the reservoir, but the coves and deeper structure that hold walleye and bass are easier to reach from the water. A kayak or small motorized boat is enough for most of the lake.
Both campgrounds sit directly on the river, so if you're staying there, you're already at the water. Public access is tied to the campground corridors, so fishing pressure is generally light outside of peak summer weekends. Wading gear is useful since the West Dolores in particular has stretches where working across the current puts you in better casting position.
For the river stretches near Mavreeso and West Dolores Campground, a light to medium spinning setup or a 4-5 weight fly rod covers most situations. At McPhee, a medium-action spinning rod rigged for bass or walleye is the practical choice, with jigs and crankbaits being reliable producers. For the smaller lakes like Belmear and Nielson Reservoir, a simple spinning setup with PowerBait or small spinners is enough, especially if you're targeting stocked trout.
