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Colorado · Fishing
Fishing near Mancos, Colorado centers on a handful of reservoirs tucked into the mesa and mountain terrain southwest of town.
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Fishing near Mancos, Colorado centers on a handful of reservoirs tucked into the mesa and mountain terrain southwest of town. The four lakes in the area — Joe Moore Reservoir, Sellers and McClane Reservoir, Jackson Gulch Reservoir, and Summit Reservoir — are all still-water fisheries, which means your approach here is reservoir fishing rather than stream or river angling. That shapes everything from the gear you bring to the time of day you show up. Jackson Gulch Reservoir is the most accessible of the group and sits within Mancos State Park, making it a reasonable starting point if you're new to the area. The others require a bit more local knowledge to find and access. Mancos sits at around 7,000 feet, so even summer mornings can be cool, and afternoon thunderstorms are common from July through early September. Water temperatures in these reservoirs fluctuate enough through the season that fish activity shifts noticeably between spring, midsummer, and fall. If you're driving in from outside the region, a Colorado fishing license is required for anyone 16 and older and is available online through Colorado Parks and Wildlife before you leave home.
Jackson Gulch Reservoir is the most straightforward option — it sits inside Mancos State Park and has a developed boat ramp and parking area. Joe Moore, Sellers and McClane, and Summit reservoirs are less developed and may require a higher-clearance vehicle or a short hike depending on road conditions.
The supplied listing data doesn't specify species by water body, so we won't guess. Colorado Parks and Wildlife publishes stocking reports by water body on their website, which is the most reliable way to know what's been put in recently at each reservoir before your trip.
Joe Moore Reservoir
~1 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Mavreeso Campground
~28 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Vallecito Reservoir
~1h 12m drive
Easy
House Creek
~23 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
West Dolores Campground
~29 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Mcphee Recreation Complex
~24 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Junction Creek Campground
~40 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Haviland Lake Campground
~51 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Chris Park
~51 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Florida Campground
~1h 2m drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Cayton Campground
~53 min drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Matterhorn
~1h 5m drive
A worthwhile stop near CO.
Early morning and evening are generally the most productive windows for reservoir fishing at elevation, when surface temperatures are cooler and fish feed closer to shore. Midday in summer is typically slow, and afternoon thunderstorms in July and August are a real safety consideration — get off the water by early afternoon if clouds are building.
A medium-action spinning rod handles most situations on these lakes. Bring a selection of small spinners, PowerBait or similar dough baits, and a few jigs if you want to cover different depths. A small float tube or kayak is useful since bank access varies by reservoir, but you can fish effectively from shore at Jackson Gulch.
Yes, anyone 16 or older needs a valid Colorado fishing license. You can buy one online through Colorado Parks and Wildlife at cpw.state.co.us, or at sporting goods retailers in Durango or Cortez if you prefer to pick one up in person on the way in. If you're fishing inside Mancos State Park at Jackson Gulch, you'll also need a park pass.
