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Colorado · Fishing
Meredith, Colorado sits in a stretch of the state that doesn't get the same fishing traffic as the Front Range reservoirs or the famous tailwaters to the south, which is part of the appeal. The fishing around Meredith centers on three lakes: Lonesome Lake, Carter Lake, and Lily Pad Lake.
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Meredith, Colorado sits in a stretch of the state that doesn't get the same fishing traffic as the Front Range reservoirs or the famous tailwaters to the south, which is part of the appeal. The fishing around Meredith centers on three lakes: Lonesome Lake, Carter Lake, and Lily Pad Lake. Carter Lake is the largest and most accessible of the three, a reservoir managed by Northern Water that draws anglers after warmwater species as well as stocked trout depending on the season. Lonesome Lake and Lily Pad Lake offer a quieter experience, better suited to anglers who don't mind a little extra effort to reach the water. All three are lake fisheries, so your approach here is still-water fishing — think shore casting, float tubes, or small watercraft rather than wading a current. If you're driving out from the Front Range or passing through on a longer Colorado trip, these lakes give you a legitimate half-day or full-day fishing option without competing for elbow room on more crowded waters. Licensing requirements follow standard Colorado Parks and Wildlife rules, so make sure your CPW fishing license is current before you wet a line.
All three listings are lake fisheries, so you're fishing still water rather than a stream or river. Carter Lake is known to hold warmwater species alongside seasonally stocked trout. Without specific stocking data on hand, your best move before the trip is to check the Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocking report for current species and recent plant dates at each water body.
Yes. All three lakes fall under standard Colorado Parks and Wildlife jurisdiction, so you need a valid CPW fishing license. You can purchase one online through the CPW website or at local license agents. Check whether Carter Lake requires a separate park pass or day-use fee, as it is managed by Northern Water and may have its own access fees on top of the state license.
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A medium-action spinning rod in the 6- to 7-foot range handles most situations across all three lakes. For trout, small spinners, PowerBait, and nightcrawlers under a bobber are reliable. For warmwater species at Carter Lake, try crankbaits or soft plastics worked along structure. A float tube or small inflatable kayak opens up water that shore anglers can't reach, especially at Lily Pad Lake where vegetation can limit casting lanes from the bank.
Early morning and the last two hours before sunset are consistently the most productive windows for lake fishing in Colorado, and these three lakes are no exception. Midday in summer can slow things down significantly as surface temperatures rise. If you're targeting trout specifically, cooler morning hours when the water is coldest tend to produce the most activity.
Carter Lake is the most beginner-friendly option given its size, established access points, and the presence of stocked trout, which are generally easier to target than wild fish. Lily Pad Lake has a more remote feel and may require more walking to reach fishable water, so it suits anglers who are comfortable navigating on their own. Lonesome Lake falls somewhere in between. All three are lake fisheries with no current to manage, which removes one of the bigger challenges for newer anglers.
