Lakes, rivers and high country streams, Gold Medal waters and native Colorado trout

RECREATION TOPICS

Fishing

Mountain streams, small area lakes, and McPhee Lake, the second largest in Colorado, make Mesa Verde Country® one of the premiere fishing areas in Colorado.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife has called McPhee Lake "the best fishing spot in the San Juan Basin." No matter where you decide to drop a line, the one thing you won't find in Mesa Verde Country® is crowds--so relax, enjoy, and maybe you'll catch that big one!

FISHING LICENSES, GENERAL INFORMATION AND REGULATIONS

Fishing with flies, small Colorado spinners, and salmon eggs are popular on both lakes and rivers. Many local sporting goods, hardware, and convenience stores sell fishing licenses and provide information on fishing conditions.

Between April and the end of September, call 303-291-7539 to hear a recorded message for fishing information on Southwest Colorado. The season is open year round; adults and children 15 and older must have a fishing license in Colorado. The bag limit for children under 15 is half that of the adult limit.

A fishing license is required in Colorado for lakes, streams and reservoirs open to public fishing. Licenses are available at many retail outlets in Mesa Verde Country®. There are several varieties of resident and non-resident licenses, including 1-day and 5-day passes, so make sure you purchase just what you need.

The Colorado Division of Wildlife provides brochures and booklets with information about gold medal waters, baits and restrictions, possession limits and other pertinent information. The brochures and pamphlets are free! Please contact:

Colorado Division of Wildlife
Southwest Region
2300 South Townsend Avenue
Montrose, Colorado 81401
(970) 249-3431

Fishing in redrock canyons on meandering rivers, lake fishing for kokanee salmon, or flyfishing the high country streams among golden aspens, you're sure to find a fishing adventure you'll always remember in Mesa Verde Country®
Fishing in redrock canyons on meandering rivers, lake fishing for kokanee salmon, or flyfishing the high country streams among golden aspens, you're sure to find a fishing adventure you'll always remember in Mesa Verde Country®

Fishing maps showing fishing areas, species of fish, facilities and descriptions in Mesa Verde Country® are available as a single download (4 MB .pdf) or in sections, as described below:


Fishing ares and maps, Part 1 (716kb .pdf): Fishing areas and maps, Part 2 (1.4MB .pdf): Fishing areas and maps, Part 3 (1.4MB .pdf):


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