Who loves to fish?
Our valley is filled with opportunities galore!
Are you a fair weather fisherman/woman? Do you like to fish from a boat or from shore?
Do you fish with bait, with artificial lures or is fly fishing your style?
What about the species? Well, Mesa County has a wide variety to pursue;
The Colorado River holds one of the most diverse fish populations in the West. From channel cat and bull head to several species of trout, game fishing is just a start. Though most wouldn't pursue carp on purpose the river holds some huge ones along with other native species such as the rare and recovering razor-back sucker, bony tail and humpback chub and the colossal - when fully grown - Colorado pikeminnow (Formerly known as the Colorado River squawfish this species can reach adult lengths topping 5 feet). These four protected species exist nowhere else on earth, but the upper Colorado River and a few of it's larger tributaries.
Beginning on the west side of the Grand Valley, there are many opportunities and one that used to be legendary that's now gone. In Mack near the UT border there used to be a lake called 6 & 50 reservoir. It was known to have some sunfish that could be called "tanks" along with a few other warm-water species. The lake is dry now.
While State Parks require a day pass, annual pass or Keeping Colorado Wild License plates, there are a number of fee free areas in the valley to explore too.
In Loma at Highline State Park, Highline and Mack Mesa lakes offer largemouth bass, crappie, catfish and trout - primarily trout at Mack Mesa.
Fruita has a small bass lake off the south side of I-70 in a fee free State Wildlife Area. Additionally, Friuta also has Red Rocks Lake at the James M. Robb State Park and Snook's Bottom which is maintained by the City of Fruita for free public access.
Many of these little lakes have accessibility piers and make nice places to take small children and seniors who have mobility challenges. One such place just upgraded to having a pier in recent weeks - West Lake next to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife office on Independent Avenue. This is also a free access location.
Connected Lakes State Park is a frequent hot spot for those pursuing the warm water species such as catfish, bass, sunfish and crappie. There are a bunch of private lakes and old gravel pits that also hold nice bass. Just be sure you have permission to enter. Trespassing carries stiff penalties.
Millsite State Park at 30 1/2 and D Rds. is an old uranium processing location that holds a range of warm water species including a few pikeminows placed there to reach maturity before restoring them to the Colorado River. Keep in mind that any of the protected species caught must be returned to the water unharmed immediately.
Other Places to try: Clifton Nature Park (free), Corn Lake State Park, Riverbend City Park in Palisade (also free) and Island Acres State Park Just off the Cameo Exit in the mouth of Debeque canyon.
The photos you see are some local catches from a single evening. That night over 60 rainbow trout were reeled in and released at Island Acres. Those days are few and far between but a "boatload" of fun even when fishing from shore. Now you know. When ya gonna go?