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This information is compiled to assist guests who rent our Condo at the Zephyr Mountain Lodge. If you've arrived at this page as a result of a web search on Colorado Fishing, we hope you benefit from the information. And if you need lodging, thank you for considering us. Grand County provides the fisherman a wide variety of opportunities. You can enjoy rivers, lakes, streams, or high altitude lakes. Grand county has over 1000 miles of streams, over 1000 acres of high mountain lakes, and over 20 sq miles of reservoir surface. |
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RIVERS
Colorado River -- The Colorado River spends it's first 50+ miles in Grand County.
The best trout are downstream from Granby.
Along the Colorado, there are many private and public fishing spots.
Access is easy as Hwy 40 parallels the river. Public fishing is good Fraser River --
The Fraser River begins at the Continental Divide at Berthoud Pass and
flows north through the towns of Winter Park and Fraser then eventually
joins the Colorado River outside Granby. Many small mountain streams join the
Fraser before it goes into a narrow canyon just outside Tabernash.
Once in the canyon, the river is classified as Wild Trout Water with a 2
fish limit. Catch and release is even better. The canyon has
many rainbows, browns, brookies and an occasional cutthroat.
This is serious fly fishing at it's best. Access is by walking down
the railroad right of way. Be mindful of private property.
This area is not suitable for families, picnics, nor dogs. Willow Creek -- This waterway runs from the northern reaches of Grand County into the Colorado River just below Granby. Willow Creek is some of the most beautiful and least visited stream fishing in all Colorado. Best of all, the area is easily accessed by car and 14 miles of river are open to the public. Drive 2 miles west of Granby on US34. Take CO 125 north and follow the highway until you enter the Arapaho National Forest. Public fishing begins here with the road paralleling the stream. Willow Creek hosts a good population of brookies and rainbows with a few browns. There are no special regulations. Total driving time from the winter park base and Zephyr Mountain Lodge Condo is 45 to 60 minutes. |
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LAKES Lake Granby -- Lake Granby is on US 34 just 5 miles north of the town of Granby. Lake Granby is famous for mackinaws [lake trout]. There are also good rainbows, browns, and kokanee salmon. Boat rentals are available from a number of outfitters [see below]. The lake is about 35 minutes from the Winter Park Base Village and Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Shadow Mountain Reservoir and Grand Lake -- These two lakes are also on US 34 just a few miles north of Lake Granby and each other. Shadow Mountain Lake and Grand Lake are famous for mackinaws [lake trout]. There are also good rainbows, browns, and kokanee salmon. Boat rentals are available from a number of outfitters [see below]. The lakes are about 45 and 55 minutes from the Winter Park Base Village and Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Monarch Lake -- At the east end of Lake Granby is Monarch Lake which is accessible only by foot [and by paying a $5 National Forest user fee]. You must drive a 12 mile dirt road after leaving US34 at the south end of Lake Granby. This good sized body of water is closed to motorized craft. Rainbows, browns, and brookies are plentiful. There are no special regulations. The setting is much more peaceful than Granby or Grand lakes. Monarch Lake is about 1 hr 15 minutes from Winter Park Base and Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Willow Creek Reservoir -- About 40 miles on paved and dirt roads. Get directions using good forest service map. Good fishing for pan-sized rainbows. Wake-less speed for boats. Willow Creek reservoir is about 60 minutes from your Zephyr Mountain Lodge Condo. Meadow Creek Reservoir -- The lake is well stocked with rainbows and has wild brook trout. Turn off US 40 just before Tabernash at mile post 224 about 8.6 miles from the traffic light at the Winter Park Base entrance. Then drive 9 miles on a dirt road navigable [with care] by a passenger car. Allow 45 minutes from the Zephyr Mountain Lodge condo. Beaver Village Fishing Ponds -- These ponds are located on the right just before you get to the town of Winter Park. Stop at the activity shack and register to fish. Ideally suited for kids, Beaver Village Fishing Ponds are a great family outing. Just 5 minutes from the Winter Park Base and Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Lions Club Fishing ponds -- These man made ponds are reached by turning off highway 40 at the stoplight in Fraser by the Safeway store. The ponds are at the far end of the Safeway parking lot. The lower pond is available for everyone. Allow about 10 minutes from the Winter Park Base and Zephyr Lodge. |
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HIGH COUNTRY LAKES Corona, Pumphouse, and Deadman's Lakes -- These lakes are in the shadow of the Continental Divide east of Winter Park. To get there, turn right off US 40 on the Corona Pass road 1.4 miles from the traffic light at the entrance to the Winter Park Base Village. Drive 15 miles along the old railroad bed to the top of the pass. Hike 15 minutes to the lakes. Corona Lake has cut-throat trout. Pumphouse and Deadman's Lakes have rainbows and brookies. While visiting, enjoy the local history of the old railroad. [You can buy a book on the history of the area at the Winter Park chamber of commerce]. The railroad grade is slow going so allow 1 hour total time from Zephyr Mountain Lodge. St Louis Lake -- Drive to the end of St Louis Creek Road [10 mile dirt road that leaves US 40 in Fraser]. Then hike 3 miles to a lake at 11350 in elevation -- just above timberline. This a fantastic hike with spectacular mountain scenery. Allow 3+ hours total time from Winter Park Base and the Zephyr Mountain Lodge. Columbine Lake -- Columbine Lake is a fabulous hike including outstanding scenery, a cascading waterfall, old pioneer cabin, and seasonal wildflowers. Fishing can be spotty, but when the fish are feeding, it is a great experience. Turn off US 40 just before Tabernash at mile post 224 about 8.6 miles from the traffic light at the Winter Park Base entrance. Then drive 9 miles on a dirt road navigable [with care] by a passenger car. Then hike 3 miles to Columbine Lake. Allow 2-3 hours from Winter Park Base and Zephyr Mountain Lodge to reach the lake. |
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LOCAL OUTFITTERS For fishing info and tackle, visit ....
MoHenry's Trout Shop ...
Webmaster's Pick MoHenry's is located in Fraser just under 6 miles from the Ski Area base and the Zephyr Mountain Lodge. As of September 2008 they are now in temporary quarters in the Safeway Plaza in Fraser. Call for assistance.
Nelson Fly and Tackle
Ravens Adventure Trips
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FISHING BOAT RENTAL
Beacon Landing Marina Boater's Choice Osprey Adventures / Wolford Boat Rentals |
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FISHING TACKLE AND SUPPLIES
MoHenry's Trout Shop ...
Webmaster's Pick MoHenry's is located in Fraser just under 6 miles from the Ski Area base and the Zephyr Mountain Lodge. It is just past the Safeway intersection stoplight on the left [west] side of the highway in a stand alone small red building. They specialize in making fishermen of all experience levels comfortable with fishing the Fraser Valley.
Nelson Fly and Tackle Shop Devils thumb fly fishing center Dillie Docks II Fishin Hole Sporting Goods Lakeview General Store
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VISIT THESE URLs FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
www.coloradofishing.net
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Colorado Catch and Release Technique - Keep the fish in the water for as much of the release as possible. - Wet your hands before touching the fish - Handle the fish firmly but gently. - Support the upper part of the fish in your palm. - Make sure your fingers are not in the fishes gills. - Carefully back the hook out the way it went in. - With the fish fully submerged, gently support it through recovery - Slowly move the fish back and forth through the water - Release the fish after it has made one or two strong attempts to swim |
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Colorado River between Granby and Kremling |
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Fraser River Outside Fraser |
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Shadow Mountain Reservoir |
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Beaver Village Fishing Ponds just 3 miles from Zephyr Lodge |
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Lions Club Fishing Ponds just 6 miles from Zephyr Lodge |
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Pumphouse Lake |
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Deadman Lake |
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Corona Lake |
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MoHenry Trout Shop |
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Nelsons Fly and Tackle Store |
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Dilly Docks |
