Gunnison County, CO · Reservoir
Blue Mesa Reservoir
Colorado's largest body of water — a 9,000-acre Gunnison County reservoir in Curecanti National Recreation Area, and the state's premier lake trout (mackinaw) and kokanee salmon fishery. Trophy lake trout exceed 30 lb.
Live · updated
Top picks today
Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout & Brown Trout — tied at the top (43/100)
4 species tied for best of 4 tracked at Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Fire Weather Watch issued June 5 at 10:47AM MDT until June 9 at 10:00PM MDT by NWS Grand Junction CO
Atmosphere
Water
Sun & Moon
Species at Blue Mesa Reservoir
4 species tracked, ranked by today's conditions. The top 4 (tied) are open below — tap any species to expand it, or a chip to focus.
#1 Lake Trout Marginal conditions for Lake Trout. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Salvelinus namaycush — The native deepwater char of the Great Lakes and cold northern lakes. Holds in cold, deep water through summer and moves shallow to reefs in spring and fall. Targeted by deep trolling, jigging, and from shore early and late in the season.
Prefers. Water 40–52°F (ideal 48°F) · either tide · depth 30–200 ft.
- Daily creel
- 4
Counted in the statewide 4-fish trout aggregate by default, but trophy lake-trout waters set their own limits (e.g. Blue Mesa uses a protective slot allowing more small fish). Confirm the water-specific CPW rule.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Kokanee Salmon Marginal conditions for Kokanee Salmon. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Oncorhynchus nerka — Landlocked sockeye salmon — the marquee coldwater reservoir fishery of the Mountain West. A plankton feeder that suspends along the thermocline and is caught by downrigger trolling with squids and dodgers spring through fall, and through the ice in winter. The fall spawning run turns the fish brilliant red and triggers snagging seasons on designated waters; prized as table fare. In Colorado, Blue Mesa is the flagship water, with Dillon and Granby also producing.
Prefers. Water 45–59°F (ideal 53°F) · either tide · depth 20–120 ft.
- Daily creel
- 10
Statewide: 10/day, 10 in possession (by angling, snagging, or archery). No minimum size. Snagging is allowed only on designated waters during the fall spawning run — CPW sets each water’s dates (commonly Sept 1–Jan 31; Blue Mesa Reservoir Nov 1–Dec 31). Confirm the water-specific snagging dates before fishing.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Rainbow Trout Marginal conditions for Rainbow Trout. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Oncorhynchus mykiss — The most heavily stocked trout in Maryland. Put-and-take fisheries across the state plus holdover/wild fish in Western MD streams (Savage, Youghiogheny tailwater, Gunpowder). Takes PowerBait, small spinners, and standard dry/nymph patterns.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–20 ft.
- Daily creel
- 4
Statewide trout aggregate: 4/day, 8 in possession (rainbow, brown, brook, cutthroat). No statewide minimum size; many waters carry slot or gear restrictions — confirm the water-specific CPW rule.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
#1 Brown Trout Marginal conditions for Brown Trout. In season 43/100
What's helping
- 15 mph wind — light chop — baitfish active, fish willing to feed
What's hurting
- NWS alert active — check the alert before heading out
About. Salmo trutta — Naturally reproduces in the Gunpowder River tailwater (Loch Raven below Prettyboy) and several Western MD streams; also heavily stocked. Typically more wary than rainbows. Classic mayfly hatches on the Gunpowder — sulphurs, BWOs, caddis. Streamer-eaters after dark.
Prefers. Water 45–68°F (ideal 55°F) · either tide · depth 3–25 ft.
- Daily creel
- 4
Part of the statewide 4-fish trout aggregate (8 in possession). No statewide minimum size; Gold Medal and trophy waters often add gear and slot limits.
Source: Colorado non-tidal regulations · verified 2026-06-01.
Location Info
Water Body
Reservoir
Access
Pier, shore, and ramp
Jurisdiction
Colorado non-tidal
Coordinates
Local reports & rules for Blue Mesa Reservoir: Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing & regulations → · fish-consumption advisory →
Nearby Access Points
Frequently Asked
Do I need a fishing license to fish at Blue Mesa Reservoir?
Yes (anglers age 16 and older). To fish at Blue Mesa Reservoir you need the appropriate state fishing license. See the agency's current rules: the state agency website
What fish are commonly targeted at Blue Mesa Reservoir?
Blue Mesa Reservoir is listed on this site for 4 commonly-targeted species: Lake Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout. Which species is currently in season and which is scoring highest today is shown in the per-species ranking on this page.
When is the best time to fish at Blue Mesa Reservoir?
It depends more on the species and the day's conditions than on a fixed "best hour." Water temperature, weather, and — at tidal locations — the stage of the tide drive activity most. The per-species ranking on this page scores every target species at Blue Mesa Reservoir against today's live conditions, so the fish near the top are your best bets right now; check back as conditions change through the day.
What kind of access does Blue Mesa Reservoir have?
Blue Mesa Reservoir has multiple access types — pier, shoreline, and at least one public boat ramp.
Which state's fishing regulations apply at Blue Mesa Reservoir?
state agency regulations apply at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Size limits, creel limits, and seasonal closures are listed per species on each species page. Always confirm against the agency source linked from each regulation block — emergency closures can take effect mid-season.
Is Blue Mesa Reservoir tidal water?
No. Blue Mesa Reservoir is non-tidal — water level varies with rainfall, seasonal flow, and (where applicable) upstream dam releases rather than tidal exchange.