best fishing spots (Fort Collins, Durango, Salida: property, areas, distance)

[Cupcake77]

I haven't been fishing in years, but wanted to take my kids this summer like my Dad used to with me. I don'tknow the good areas anymore, someone recommened De Beque Glennwood springs? I think it's a catch and release. otherwise we're stuck catching carp in Cherry creek

[Ziasforever]

Fishing public waters in mountain Colorado, in my opinion, aren't good anymore. If you know of someone who has a lake or river flowing through their private property it might be pretty good.

I fished on the Rio Grande with my granddad up until 2007 the last summer before he died. We had some private spots we could go to on it and some fishing in public areas. We caught some fish in the public areas but it wasn't like fishing on the private.

Twenty-five years ago fishing around Lake City was good. But now there are twice as many people working the same water in October as there used to be in July. I can't imagine July fishing. There is a lot of pressure put on the public lands anymore and fishing is no exception.

You might see what you can catch in Eastern Colorado. Good luck!

[Scott5280]

There are some amazing places scattered on remote private lakes above Battlement Mesa/Parachute/Silt. There are some amazing public areas still virtually unknown on the Western slope as well except to some hard liner locals and people like me..Vaguery and flattery can get you anything in this life depending on the situation.

[neuro]

I guess a true fisherman is not going to tell his prime spots to a strange. But I can say a good spot for kids with a high likelihood of success is Jefferson Lake.

[McGowdog]

Blue Mesa, maybe 11 Mile...

[SheridanL]

Lake OHaver (to the SW of Salida).

[80skeys]

1. Frying Pan and Roaring Fork rivers near Glenwood and Basalt
2. Rio Grande River between South Fork and Creede
3. San Juan river near Pagosa Springs
4. Piedras river between Pagosa Springs and Durango
5. Animas river in Durango
6. Lake Fork of the Gunnison river (between Lake Fork and gunnison)
7. Conejos river near Antonito

[McGowdog]

A friend of mine is somewhere up north of Fort Collins and not quite in Wyoming, and his son caught this beauty just today;

[80skeys]

Originally Posted by neuro

I guess a true fisherman is not going to tell his prime spots to a strange.

The prime spots are only accessible by hiking for several miles in the mountains. These spots are either small alpine lakes or stretches of creeks and rivers that receive little fishing pressure due to the fact that the average person does not want to walk for a long distance with his gear.

Based on this fact, I don't have a problem telling anyone my prime spots, because in all likelihood it won't make a difference in the number of people making the effort to fish those spots!

[Ziasforever]

I fish (or fished rather) those spots on the Rio Grande between Creede and South Fork. It used be quite good. It isn't anymore due to the pressure put on it and the state of Colorado realizes that they don't have to stock it just regulate what you can and cannot keep. Let's not to mention the whirling disease that ravaged the waters several years ago.
I like that Jefferson Lake idea.