The 8 Best Lakes for Ice Fishing in Colorado

Colorado is one of the colder states in the union. However, the state has turned that into a huge benefit. Many tourists come from all over for the winter activities in Colorado. While skiing is easily one of the most popular winter activities in this area, you can also find lots of ice fishing opportunities.

In Colorado, most ice fishing occurs between December and February. If you’re looking for a great place to ice fish, Colorado won’t disappoint.

1. Chambers Lake

Chambers Lake is one of the most popular fishing spots in the area. It’s around 250 acres. Therefore, while it isn’t the largest lake, there are lots of kokanee salmon. Therefore, if you’re looking for this species, then Chambers Lake is a great fishing opportunity for you.

This lake stays frozen deep into the spring. Sometimes, it’s still frozen in April. Therefore, many fishermen who fish later into the season enjoy this lake, as well.

The most common species found here are rainbow trout, lake trout, and cutthroat. However, as we’ve said, salmon are a pretty popular species, too.

2. Eleven Mile Reservoir

Totaling about 3,400 acres, this lake is one of the largest in the state. Therefore, there are plenty of opportunities for fishing. Finding a place on the ice isn’t a huge issue. However, you should expect plenty of company.

This lake is particularly known for its rainbow trout, which can reach up to 20 inches long. Therefore, if you’re looking for trout, you can’t beat this lake.

We also highly recommend this area for camping. There are several campsites that you can use throughout the year, making it perfect for short fishing vacations.

3. Trinidad Lake State Park

This state park is one of the largest in the area, and the lake itself is stocked with over 50,000 trout every year. Therefore, catching trout is almost guaranteed. Furthermore, this area is also known for its beautiful mountain views.

You can find everything from largemouth bass to brown trout to bluegill. Therefore, it’s a great option for finding just about any kind of fish.

You should expect some company. However, it isn’t as popular or crowded as other fishing spots.

4. Harvey Gap State Park Reservoir

This lake is smaller than most at only 190 acres. However, it is a very popular reservoir in the winter. It sits just north of the Grand Hogback mountains, so you can enjoy a nice view throughout the day.

You cannot camp in the area. However, there is nearby camping at nearby parks. Therefore, you may be able to find a nice campsite if you’re looking to stay overnight.

There are many different fish species in this lake. For instance, catfish, bass, crappie, perch, rainbow trout, and northern pike can all be found within the reservoir.

5. Twin Lakes Reservoirs

These two lakes sit right next to each other. When measured together, these two lakes make up a total of 2,700 acres. Both have many amenities for fishing and camping. Therefore, they are easily some of the best lakes to fish on.

There are several different species of fish you can find in the lake. Trout, longnose suckers, white suckers, and cutthroats are all pretty common in the lake. Therefore, we highly recommend this lake for those looking for an easily accessible and laidback fishing experience.

6. Lake Granby

Lake Granby is a massive lake that takes up over 7,250 acres. It is continuously stocked throughout the year, making it very easy to catch fish. There are two lakes very close to it, which are also stocked and ready to go. For this reason, many fishermen flock to this area.

This lake is particularly known for its lake trout, rainbow trout, and kokanee salmon. These fish are known for getting quite large. Some are even recorded as being 32 inches long or longer.

7. Chatfield Reservoir

There are several different species in the Chatfield Reservoir, as well. You can successfully find yellow perch, trout, walleye, bluegill, and crappie. All of these species are regularly found in the lake and may grow quite large.

In fact, trout have been recorded in the area to be over 25 inches long. Therefore, trout fishermen often love this lake. It is also stocked regulation by the Colorado Division of Wildlife. Therefore, finding fish usually isn’t much of a problem.

8. Crawford Reservoir

This reservoir is much smaller than many others. This lake is about 390 acres large. However, it still has plenty of room for ice fishing. It is particularly busy in the summer months, though, so wintertime is the best opportunity to fish on this lake.

You can find a range of different fish species. For instance, you can find lots of different sorts of trout, crappie, perch, and catfish. All of these fish are pretty easy to find, making it a great option for fishermen looking for a variety of species.

Summary of 8 Best Lakes for Ice Fishing in Colorado

Here’s a recap of the eight best lakes for ice fishing in the state of Colorado that we took a look at:

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