The fishing in Grand County is just grand! With 1,000 miles of streams and rivers, almost 1,000 acres of high mountain lakes,11,000 acres of reservoirs as well as stocked ponds, there are fishing opportunities for everyone. Wading, floating, boating, ice fishing or fishing from the shore; it's your choice all four seasons. From remote and pristine to easily accessed locations, the combination of great fishing, wildlife TIPviewing and stunning views will be an experience of a lifetime! Some of our waters are designated by the Colorado Division of Wildlife as Gold Medal Waters; high quality cold-water habitats producing abundant, trophy size trout. 25% of Colorado’s Gold Medal Waters are in Grand County. There are many public access locations to our fisheries throughout Grand County.

• All Colorado residents and nonresidents 16 and over are required to buy and have in their possession a current Colorado State Fishing License.  Available nearby for purchase at Winter Park Trading Co., Murdoch's, Safeway.

• Local's Tip: Always refer to the annual Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure for the most-up-to-date rules and regulations. It is available online, at the Winter Park Information Center, and typically at retail outlets that sell fishing licenses. Always respect private property near fishing access points.

• Visit the Winter Park Information Center in the heart of Winter Park for trail maps, state and county maps, camping and personalized information. Dining, lodging, services and recreational activity information.

We strongly recommend that you avoid fishing during the hottest time of day and low water periods and ask that you respect private property.

PUBLIC WATER ACCESS 

FISHING RIVERS & STREAMS

FRASER RIVER:

The Fraser River is the first main tributary of the Colorado River running north 32 miles from Berthoud Pass to its confluence with the Colorado River west of Granby. Fairly flat, meandering with riffles, runs and tailouts connected to deep pools. This is a wild fishery with fish averaging 12”-15” but some in the 20” range.  
Click here for detailed access points, species info, regulations and tips for fishing the Fraser River.

COLORADO RIVER:

The mighty Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon millions of years ago and has its headwaters in Grand County on the west side of the Continental Divide in Rocky Mountain National Park. It begins as a tiny stream on La Poudre Pass draining a wet meadow. Fed by many tributaries along its 1400 mile journey, it flows southwest through the Colorado plateau country of western Colorado, southeastern Utah and northwestern Arizona where it flows through the Grand Canyon. It turns south near Las Vegas, Nevada forming the Arizona–Nevada border in Lake Mead and the Arizona–California border below Hoover Dam. Before entering Mexico in the Colorado Desert, most of its waters are diverted into the Imperial Valley in Southern California and Yuma County, Arizona where ⅔’s of the nation’s winter vegetable crop is grown. 40 million people depend on this precious resource for drinking water. In Mexico, its course forms the boundary between Sonora and Baja California before entering the Gulf of California.
Click here for detailed access points, species info, regulations and tips for fishing the Colorado River.

FISHING CREEKS

MUDDY CREEK:

Near Kremmling - species are Brown and Rainbow Trout
TIP: Check on the flow below the dam before making the trip

WILLOW CREEK:

Near Granby - species are Brown, Rainbow, and Brook Trout  
TIP: Remote, pristine area with excellent wildlife habitat.

ST. LOUIS CREEK:

Near Fraser - species are Cutthroat, Brown, Rainbow, and Brook Trout depending on location upriver.
TIPS: Intimate, small stream fishing.

VASQUEZ CREEK:

Near Winter Park - species are Cutthroat, Brown, Rainbow, and Brook Trout, depending on location upriver.
TIPS: Intimate, small stream fishing.

Click here for detailed access points, species info, regulations and tips for fishing our creeks.

FISHING PONDS

LION’S FISHING PONDS:

The Fraser River Valley Lions Club stocks two ponds with the North Pond reserved for children 14 and younger and the disabled. 
SPECIES: Brown and Rainbow Trout.
REGULATIONS: 2 fish/one pole limit, no watercraft, 16 and over must have Colorado Fishing License, Colorado State Fishing Regulations (Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure) apply.
TIPS: Donations to the Lion’s Club appreciated.

COZEN’S RANCH OPEN SPACE PONDS:

Parking area with access to two ponds and the Fraser River.
SPECIES: Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat Trout.  
REGULATIONS: Colorado State Fishing Regulations (Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure), all cutthroat trout must be released.

KIDS FISHING POND AT KAIBAB PARK:

Stocked pond for children 15 and under accompanied by an adult 16 years or older.  
SPECIES: Brown and Rainbow Trout
REGULATIONS: Colorado State Fishing Regulations (Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure), 2 fish of any species

FISHING PONDS AT GRANBY TRAILS:

Two stocked ponds.
SPECIES: Rainbow Trout
REGULATIONS: Colorado State Fishing Regulations (Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure), 2 fish limit

Click here for detailed access points, species info, regulations and tips for fishing our ponds.

FISH OUR LAKES & RESERVOIRS

• Lake Granby
• Meadowcreek Reservoir
• Monarch Lake
• Shadow Mountain Lake
• Grand Lake
• Willow Creek Reservoir
• Williams Fork Reservoir
• Wolford Reservoir

Click here for detailed access points, species info, regulations and tips for fishing our ponds.

FISH OUR HIGH MOUNTAIN LAKES

Grand County is home to many pristine alpine lakes located in the spectacular Rocky Mountains between 10,000 and 12,500 feet elevation in Arapaho National Forest; Vasquez, James, Byers Peak, Never Summer and Indian Peaks Wilderness Areas and Rocky Mountain National Park. They are accessible via hiking trails on these public lands. Some require an overnight stay and backpacking. Primitive camping, wildlife viewing. The streams that feed and flow from the alpine lakes also offer fun small stream fishing opportunities in a wild fishery.

SPECIES: Brown, Rainbow, Brook, and Cutthroat Trout
REGULATIONS: Colorado State Fishing Regulations, 4 Trout limit. Refer to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Fishing Brochure for special regulations on high alpine streams.
TIPS: The best time to hike into these lakes is from early June through mid-October. July, August, and September are the best months to reach the higher lakes. Plan on moderate to challenging treks. Be aware of lightning and severe weather; carry correct gear, water and food. A few of the most popular alpine lakes in the area include the following: Lake Evelyn, Horseshoe Lake, Lake Dorothy, Columbine Lake, Strawberry Lake, St. Louis Lake, King, Betty and Bob Lakes, McQuery Lake, Bowen Lake, Pawnee Lake, Gourd Lake, Lost Lake.
Click here for detailed access points, species info, regulations and tips for fishing our ponds.

GREAT FISHING FOR KIDS 

• Winter Park/Fraser:
  • Lion’s Club Ponds
  • Cozen’s Open Space Ponds
  • Fraser River along the Fraser River Trail
  • Lower Vasquez
  • St. Louis Creeks
• Granby: Kaibab Park Kid’s Pond, Granby Trails Kid’s Ponds
• Colorado River west of Granby
• Colorado and Blue Rivers south of Kremmling
• All reservoirs and lakes from the shore or by boat

Click here for details and directions

Stay away from creeks and rivers during high water period.