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Fishing in Mesa County, Colorado
Seat: Grand Junction. CPW Northwest Region.
- 50lake pages
- 14ramp sites
- 23stream pages
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Fishing times todaySolunar periods, sunrise and moonrise for Mesa County, today and the next 7 days.Best fishing times today
Mesa County, Colorado
Fishing Mesa County, the overview
CPW counts Mesa County among the counties of its Northwest Region, and the courthouse sits in Grand Junction. The 2020 count was 155,703 people; the Census Gazetteer lists 3,329 square miles of land and 12.4 of water. CPW rates Colorado River as Gold Medal water (47.8 mi of stream).
Of the 50 lake pages in the county, Vega Reservoir spreads widest, and together they hold 2,494 acres. The highest lake page sits at 10,497 feet (Finney Cut Lake #2), so ice and snowmelt shape the season. The ramp list for the county counts 14 ramp sites. CPW maps 107 places to fish from land here, 22 with accessible piers or platforms. Ice fishing is listed for 15 lakes with pages here.
50lake pages
14ramp sites
23stream pages
107atlas access points
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer land and water area; CPW Fishing Atlas waterbodies, ramps and fishing locations, retrieved October 2026.
Map
The Mesa County angling map
CPW boat ramps and Fishing Atlas locations; lake pins are CPW waterbody points, stream pins the midpoint of the CPW reach. Checked October 2026.
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Lake pages for Mesa County
| Lake | Acres | Elevation ft | Notes | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vega Reservoir | 855 | 7,968 | ice fishing, gas motors, trout stocked | brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout |
| Jerry Creek Reservoir #2 | 175 | 5,387 | no boats | |
| Highline Lake | 167 | 4,693 | ice fishing, gas motors, trout stocked | black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish |
| Juniata Reservoir | 137 | 5,703 | no boats, trout stocked | |
| Cottonwood Lake #1 | 96 | 10,053 | gas motors, trout stocked | brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Leon Lake | 94 | 10,337 | electric motors only | brook trout, cutthroat trout |
| Bonham Reservoir | 75 | 9,776 | no motors | arctic grayling, brown trout, cutthroat trout |
| Atkinson Reservoir | 75 | 10,090 | gas motors | cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Big Creek Reservoir #1 | 64 | 10,090 | gas motors | cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Jerry Creek Reservoir #1 | 55 | 5,395 | no boats | |
| Colby Horse Park Reservoir | 49 | 10,127 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
| Cottonwood Lake #4 | 38 | 10,207 | gas motors, trout stocked | cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout |
| Carson Lake | 38 | 9,885 | no boats | |
| Connected Lakes | 38 | 4,533 | ice fishing, electric motors only | black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill |
| Monument Reservoir #1 | 34 | 10,196 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
| Cottonwood Lake #5 | 32 | 9,973 | electric motors only | brown trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Purdy Mesa Reservoir | 30 | trout stocked | ||
| Mesa Lake | 26 | 9,850 | ice fishing, no motors, trout stocked | brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Neversweat Reservoir | 23 | 10,068 | gas motors, trout stocked | cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout |
| Water Dog Reservoir | 22 | 9,936 | no motors, trout stocked | rainbow trout |
| Meadows Reservoir Big | 22 | 9,789 | electric motors only, trout stocked | brook trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout |
| Mack Mesa Lake | 20 | 4,733 | ice fishing, electric motors only, trout stocked | black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish |
| Forty Acre Lake | 19 | 10,166 | electric motors only | brook trout |
| Corn Lake | 19 | 4,616 | ice fishing, electric motors only, trout stocked | black bullhead, black crappie, bluegill |
| Kenny Creek Reservoir | 19 | 9,909 | electric motors only | brook trout, cutthroat trout |
| Hunter Reservoir | 19 | 10,348 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
| Kitson Reservoir | 18 | 10,016 | gas motors, trout stocked | arctic grayling, brook trout, cutthroat trout |
| Enochs Lake | 18 | 8,905 | electric motors only | cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Fruita+Hwy 340 Brdg N #1 | 18 | 4,473 | ice fishing, electric motors only | black crappie, bluegill, green sunfish |
| Sunset Lake | 18 | 9,785 | ice fishing, no motors, trout stocked | brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout |
| Bull Creek Reservoir #5 | 17 | 9,647 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
| Snooks Bottom Lake | 15 | 4,473 | ice fishing, electric motors only, trout stocked | rainbow trout |
| Bull Creek Reservoir #1 | 15 | 10,129 | no motors | cutbow, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Reservoir Park | 14 | 9,075 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
| Bull Basin Reservoir #1 | 13 | 10,008 | no motors | cutbow, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Bull Creek Reservoir #2 | 13 | 10,136 | no motors | cutbow, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Cottonwood Lake #2 | 12 | 10,016 | no boats | |
| Mesa Lake South | 10 | 9,943 | ice fishing, no motors | brook trout |
| Fruita Reservoir #1 | 10 | 9,146 | no motors, trout stocked | cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Silver Lake, Mesa County | 9 | 10,204 | electric motors only | arctic grayling, brook trout, cutthroat trout |
| Youngs Creek Lake | 8 | 10,197 | electric motors only | brook trout |
| Finney Cut Lake #2 | 8 | 10,497 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
| Duke Lake | 7 | 4,537 | ice fishing, electric motors only | black crappie, bluegill, common carp |
| Beaver Lake, Mesa County | 6 | 9,808 | ice fishing, no motors, trout stocked | brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout |
| De Camp Reservoir | 6 | 9,792 | no motors | brook trout |
| Old Orchard | 4 | 4,757 | ice fishing, electric motors only, trout stocked | black bullhead, bluegill, green sunfish |
| Jumbo Reservoir, Mesa County | 4 | 9,778 | ice fishing, no motors | brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout |
| Roans Pothole | 4 | 4,757 | ice fishing, electric motors only, trout stocked | black bullhead, bluegill, green sunfish |
| Lily Lake, Mesa County | 4 | 10,215 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
| Finney Cut Lake #1 | 3 | 10,423 | no motors | cutthroat trout |
CPW Fishing Atlas waterbody outlines (acres from the outline), elevation and boating notes; species from CPW Boatable Waters. Retrieved October 2026.
More lakes
Lesser reservoirs of Mesa County
This table holds 27 named waters of Mesa County that lack enough facts for their own page.
| Water | Acres | Elevation ft | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rapid Creek Reservoir #1 | 96 | Palisade | |
| Casto Reservoir | 91 | Orchard Mesa | |
| Rapid Creek Reservoir #2 | 86 | Palisade | |
| Somerville-McCullah Reservoir | 85 | Palisade | |
| Flowing Park Reservoir | 81 | Cedaredge | |
| Griffith Lake | 63 | Collbran | |
| Anderson Reservoir #1 | 58 | Palisade | |
| Butch Craig Pond | 52 | Orchard Mesa | |
| Hollenbeck Reservoir Number 2 | 52 | Palisade | |
| Cheney Reservoir | 51 | Orchard Mesa | |
| Anderson Reservoir #2 | 50 | Palisade | |
| Fruita State Park Pond | 23 | Fruita | |
| 30 Road Pond #10 | 4 | Orchard Mesa | |
| Cameo Campground 191.2 Pond | 4 | Palisade | |
| Blue Lake, Mesa County | 3 | 8,995 | Cedaredge |
| Lost Lake near Cedaredge, Mesa County | 3 | 9,976 | Cedaredge |
| Fruita Reservoir #3 | 2 | 8,980 | Redlands |
| Lost Lake near Collbran, Mesa County | 2 | 10,225 | Collbran |
| Mogensen Ponds #3 | 2 | 5,199 | De Beque |
| Rock Lake, Mesa County | 2 | 10,143 | Collbran |
| West Lake, Mesa County | 2 | 4,558 | Grand Junction |
| Lanning Lake | 2 | 10,305 | Cedaredge |
| Palisade Riverbend Park Pond | 2 | 4,688 | Palisade |
| Glacier Springs Ret Pond | 1 | 9,834 | Cedaredge |
| Orchard Mesa Canal Pond | 1 | Palisade | |
| Cameo Campground 191.4 Pond | 1 | Palisade | |
| Clifton Nature Park Pond | 4,623 | Clifton |
CPW Fishing Atlas waterbodies, retrieved October 2026.
Streams
Stream pages for Mesa County
- Colorado Riverriver, Gold Medal 47.8 mi; 7 reaches with special rules (236.1 mi); 14 public access properties
- Atkinson Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Big Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Brook Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Bull Creekstream, 1 reach with special rules (0.4 mi); 1 public access property
- Buzzard Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Coal Creek, Mesa Countystream, 1 public access property
- Cottonwood Creek, Mesa Countystream, 1 public access property
- East Leon Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Kannah Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Leon Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Mesa Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Middle Leon Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Monument Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Mosquito Creekstream, 1 public access property
- North Fork West Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Park Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Plateau Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Sheep Creek, Mesa Countystream, 1 public access property
- West Creek, Mesa Countystream, 1 reach with special rules (4.2 mi); 1 public access property
- West Divide Creekstream, 1 reach with special rules (15.5 mi); 1 public access property
- West Leon Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Willow Creek, Mesa Countystream, 1 public access property; on the stocking report
Cold water inside Mesa County
Special trout rules apply on 5 streams across Mesa County, Gold Medal on 1.
Statewide, the Gold Medal waters page lists each reach.
- Rapid Creek1 reach with special rules (115.6 mi), near Palisade
USGS stations inside Mesa County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado River Near Colorado- Utah State Line | 2,940 cfs, 3.49 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:45 pm |
| Dolores River Near Gateway, Co | 475 cfs, 8.37 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:00 pm |
| Gunnison River Near Grand Junction, Co. | 1,390 cfs, 3.20 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:30 pm |
| Colorado River Near Cameo, Co. | 1,330 cfs, 3.38 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:15 pm |
| Colorado R. Abv Gunnison R. At Grand Junction, Co | 1,370 cfs, 4.20 ft gage height | Nov 12 8:45 pm |
| Colo River Below Grand Valley Div Nr Palisade, Co | 1,250 cfs, 4.11 ft gage height | Nov 12 9:15 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 9:33 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.
CPW special-regulation, Gold Medal and Quality Waters stream layers (miles from CPW line geometry); USGS gauges. Retrieved October 2026.
Storage
Water stored behind Mesa County dams
37 acre-feetstorage, Alsbury Reservoir
Co. Division of Water Resources storage telemetry for Alsbury Reservoir (station ALSRESCO), recorded October 25, 2026; retrieved October 25, 2026. Provisional data from CDSS.
Access
Put-in spots spread across Mesa County
- Connected Lakes Section boat ramp on Colorado RiverColorado River, boat ramp, State Parks
- Corn Lake Section boat rampCorn Lake, boat ramp, State Parks
- Early Settlers Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, boat ramp, ANS inspection, State Parks
- East Boat Ramp on Highline LakeHighline Lake, boat ramp, universal-water ramp, CDOW
- East Ramp on Highline LakeHighline Lake, boat ramp, State Parks
- Fruita Section boat ramp on Colorado RiverColorado River, boat ramp, State Parks
- Hand Launch only access on Mack Mesa LakeMack Mesa Lake, boat ramp, universal-water ramp, CDOW
- Highline Lake State ParkHighline Lake, boat ramp, universal-water ramp, CDOW
- Island Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, boat ramp, ANS inspection, State Parks
- Loma Boat Launch SWA, boat ramp, universal-water ramp, CDOW
- Oak Point Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, boat ramp, ANS inspection, State Parks
- West Boat Ramp on Highline LakeHighline Lake, boat ramp, universal-water ramp, CDOW
- West Ramp on Highline LakeHighline Lake, boat ramp, ANS inspection, State Parks
- Palisade Riverbend Park on Orchard Mesa Canal PondOrchard Mesa Canal Pond, boat ramp, Other
Mesa County shore and pier access (107)
- Atkinson Creek fishing access near CollbranAtkinson Creek, medium access, 9,946 ft
- Atkinson Reservoir fishing access near CollbranAtkinson Reservoir, medium access, 10,090 ft
- Beaver Lake fishing access near CedaredgeBeaver Lake, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,808 ft
- Big Creek Reservoir #1 fishing access near CollbranBig Creek Reservoir #1, easy access, 10,090 ft
- Big Creek fishing access near CollbranBig Creek, medium access, 9,814 ft
- Blue Lake fishing access near CedaredgeBlue Lake, difficult access, stocked: sub-catchables, 8,995 ft
- Bonham Reservoir fishing access near CollbranBonham Reservoir, easy access, stocked: sub-catchables, 9,776 ft
- Brook Creek fishing access near SiltBrook Creek, medium access, 9,115 ft
- Bull Basin Reservoir #1 fishing access near CollbranBull Basin Reservoir #1, difficult access, 10,008 ft
- Bull Creek Reservoir #1 fishing access near CollbranBull Creek Reservoir #1, difficult access, 10,129 ft
- Bull Creek Reservoir #2 fishing access near CollbranBull Creek Reservoir #2, difficult access, 10,136 ft
- Bull Creek Reservoir #5 fishing access near CollbranBull Creek Reservoir #5, difficult access, 9,647 ft
- Bull Creek fishing access near CollbranBull Creek, difficult access, 9,748 ft
- Buzzard CreekBuzzard Creek #2, medium access, 7,890 ft
- Carson Lake fishing access near CedaredgeCarson Lake, easy access, 9,885 ft
- Clifton Nature Park Pond fishing access near CliftonClifton Nature Park Pond, easy access, 4,623 ft
- Coal Creek fishing access near PalisadeCoal Creek, difficult access, 7,075 ft
- Colby Horse Park Reservoir fishing access near CollbranColby Horse Park Reservoir, difficult access, 10,127 ft
- Colorado River, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes SectionColorado River # 1, easy access, 4,533 ft
- Colorado River, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Corn Lake SectionColorado River # 1, easy access, 4,613 ft
- Colorado River, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Fruita SectionColorado River # 1, easy access, 4,470 ft
- Colorado River, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park – Island Acres SectionColorado River # 1, easy access, 4,757 ft
- Colorado River, Loma SWAColorado River # 1, easy access, 4,438 ft
- Colorado River, Town of Palisade Riverbend ParkColorado River # 1, easy access, 4,682 ft
- Connected Lakes fishing access near Redlands, James M. Robb – Colorado River State ParkConnected Lakes, fishing access
- Connected Lakes fishing access near Redlands, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park 2Connected Lakes, fishing access
- Connected Lakes fishing access near Redlands, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park 3Connected Lakes, fishing access
- Connected Lakes fishing access near Redlands, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes SectionConnected Lakes, accessible pier, easy access, 4,533 ft
- Connected Lakes fishing access near Redlands, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes Section 2Connected Lakes, accessible fishing area
- Connected Lakes fishing access near Redlands, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes Section 3Connected Lakes, accessible fishing area
- Connected Lakes fishing access near Redlands, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes Section 4Connected Lakes, accessible fishing area
- Corn Lake fishing access near Clifton, James M. Robb – Colorado River State ParkCorn Lake, fishing access
- Corn Lake fishing access near Clifton, James M. Robb – Colorado River State Park 2Corn Lake, fishing access
- Corn Lake fishing access near Clifton, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Corn Lake SectionCorn Lake, accessible pier, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and warmwater, 4,616 ft
- Corn Lake fishing access near Clifton, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Corn Lake Section 2Corn Lake, accessible fishing area
- Corn Lake fishing access near Clifton, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Corn Lake Section 3Corn Lake, accessible fishing area
- Cottonwood Creek fishing access near CollbranCottonwood Creek, medium access, 9,657 ft
- Cottonwood Lake #1 fishing access near CollbranCottonwood Lake #1, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and sub-catchables, 10,053 ft
- Cottonwood Lake #2 fishing access near CollbranCottonwood Lake #2, medium access, stocked: sub-catchables, 10,016 ft
- Cottonwood Lake #4 fishing access near CollbranCottonwood Lake #4, medium access, stocked: catchable trout and sub-catchables, 10,207 ft
- Cottonwood Lake #5 fishing access near CollbranCottonwood Lake #5, medium access, stocked: sub-catchables, 9,973 ft
- De Camp Reservoir fishing access near CollbranDe Camp Reservoir, medium access, stocked: sub-catchables, 9,792 ft
- Duke Lake fishing access near Grand Junction, James M. Robb – Colorado River State ParkDuke Lake, fishing access
- Duke Lake fishing access near Grand Junction, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes SectionDuke Lake, accessible pier, easy access, 4,537 ft
- Duke Lake fishing access near Grand Junction, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park – Connected Lakes Section 2Duke Lake, accessible fishing area
- Enochs Lake fishing access near RedlandsEnochs Lake, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 8,905 ft
- Finney Cut Lake #1 fishing access near CollbranFinney Cut Lake #1, difficult access, stocked: sub-catchables, 10,423 ft
- Finney Cut Lake #2 fishing access near CollbranFinney Cut Lake #2, difficult access, stocked: sub-catchables, 10,497 ft
- Forty Acre Lake fishing access near CollbranForty Acre Lake, medium access, 10,166 ft
- Fruita Red Rocks LakeFruita+Hwy 340 Brdg N #1, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 4,473 ft
- Fruita Reservoir #1 fishing access near RedlandsFruita Reservoir #1, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,146 ft
- Fruita Reservoir #3 fishing access near RedlandsFruita Reservoir #3, medium access, stocked: catchable trout, 8,980 ft
- Glacier Springs Retention PondGlacier Springs Ret Pond, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,834 ft
- Highline Lake fishing access near Loma, Highline Lake State ParkHighline Lake, fishing access
- Highline Lake fishing access near Loma, Highline Lake State Park 2Highline Lake, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and warmwater, 4,693 ft
- Hunter Reservoir fishing access near CedaredgeHunter Reservoir, difficult access, 10,348 ft
- Jerry Creek Reservoir, Jerry Creek Reservoir SWAJerry Creek Reservoir #1, difficult access, 5,395 ft
- Jerry Creek Reservoir, Jerry Creek Reservoir SWA 2Jerry Creek Reservoir #2, difficult access, 5,387 ft
- Jumbo Reservoir fishing access near CedaredgeJumbo Reservoir, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,778 ft
- Juniata Reservoir fishing access near PalisadeJuniata Reservoir, difficult access, stocked: catchable trout, 5,703 ft
- Kannah Creek fishing access near CedaredgeKannah Creek, medium access, 10,390 ft
- Kannah Creek fishing access near PalisadeKannah Creek, medium access, 7,232 ft
- Kenney Creek ReservoirKenny Creek Reservoir, difficult access, stocked: sub-catchables, 9,909 ft
- Kitson Reservoir fishing access near CollbranKitson Reservoir, medium access, stocked: catchable trout, 10,016 ft
- Lanning Lake fishing access near CedaredgeLanning Lake, difficult access, 10,305 ft
- Leon Creek fishing access near CollbranLeon Creek, medium access, 8,524 ft
- Leon Creek, EastEast Leon Creek, medium access, 9,818 ft
- Leon Creek, MiddleMiddle Leon Creek, medium access, 10,173 ft
- Leon Creek, WestWest Leon Creek, medium access, 9,828 ft
- Leon Lake fishing access near CedaredgeLeon Lake, difficult access, 10,337 ft
- Lily Lake fishing access near CollbranLily Lake, difficult access, stocked: sub-catchables, 10,215 ft
- Lost Lake fishing access near CedaredgeLost Lake, medium access, 9,976 ft
- Lost Lake fishing access near CollbranLost Lake, difficult access, 10,225 ft
- Mack Mesa Lake fishing access near Loma, Highline Lake State ParkMack Mesa Lake, accessible pier, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and warmwater, 4,733 ft
- Mack Mesa Lake fishing access near Loma, Highline Lake State Park 2Mack Mesa Lake, accessible fishing area
- Meadows Reservoir, Big fishing access near CollbranMeadows Reservoir Big, medium access, stocked: catchable trout and sub-catchables, 9,789 ft
- Mesa Creek fishing access near CedaredgeMesa Creek, medium access, 9,745 ft
- Mesa Lake, South fishing access near CedaredgeMesa Lake South, easy access, 9,943 ft
- Mesa Lakes fishing access near CedaredgeMesa Lake, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,850 ft
- Mogensen PondsMogensen Ponds #3, medium access, 5,199 ft
- Mogensen Ponds #2Mogensen Ponds #3, medium access, 5,189 ft
- Mogensen Ponds #3 fishing access near De BequeMogensen Ponds #3, medium access, 5,196 ft
- Monument Creek fishing access near CollbranMonument Creek, difficult access, 10,037 ft
- Monument Reservoir #1 fishing access near CollbranMonument Reservoir #1, difficult access, 10,196 ft
- Mosquito Creek fishing access near SiltMosquito Creek, medium access, 8,021 ft
- Neversweat Reservoir fishing access near CollbranNeversweat Reservoir, medium access, stocked: catchable trout, 10,068 ft
- Old Orchard fishing access near PalisadeOld Orchard, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and sub-catchables, 4,757 ft
- Palisade Riverbend Park Pond fishing access near Palisade, Town of Palisade Riverbend ParkPalisade Riverbend Park Pond, accessible pier, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 4,688 ft
- Palisade Riverbend Park Pond fishing access near Palisade, Town of Palisade Riverbend Park 2Palisade Riverbend Park Pond, accessible fishing area
- Park Creek fishing access near CollbranPark Creek, medium access, 8,847 ft
- Plateau CreekPlateau Creek #2, medium access, 7,995 ft
- Reservoir Park fishing access near CarbondaleReservoir Park, difficult access, stocked: sub-catchables, 9,075 ft
- Roans Pothole fishing access near PalisadeRoans Pothole, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and sub-catchables, 4,757 ft
- Rock Lake fishing access near CollbranRock Lake, difficult access, 10,143 ft
- Sheep Creek fishing access near CedaredgeSheep Creek, difficult access, 8,634 ft
- Silver Lake fishing access near CollbranSilver Lake, medium access, stocked: sub-catchables, 10,204 ft
- Snooks Bottom Lake fishing access near Fruita, Snooks Bottom Open SpaceSnooks Bottom Lake, accessible pier, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 4,473 ft
- Snooks Bottom Lake fishing access near Fruita, Snooks Bottom Open Space 2Snooks Bottom Lake, accessible fishing area
- Sunset Lake fishing access near CedaredgeSunset Lake, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,785 ft
- Vega Reservoir fishing access near CollbranVega Reservoir, easy access, stocked: sub-catchables, 7,968 ft
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers (ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu), retrieved October 2026.
Stocking and records
Records and stocked water of Mesa County
Mesa County shows up on the trout report through 20 waters and 88 listings since 2024.
Mesa County waters on the trout report
| Water | Listings | By year | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Highline Lake | 3 | 2026: 1, 2025: 2 | Oct. 23, 2026 |
| Mack Mesa Lake | 7 | 2026: 1, 2025: 3, 2024: 3 | Oct. 23, 2026 |
| Sunset Lake | 8 | 2026: 3, 2025: 3, 2024: 2 | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Old Orchard | 8 | 2026: 2, 2025: 4, 2024: 2 | Sept. 18, 2026 |
| Roans Pothole | 7 | 2026: 2, 2025: 4, 2024: 1 | Sept. 18, 2026 |
| Willow Creek, Mesa County | 7 | 2026: 2, 2025: 3, 2024: 2 | Aug. 14, 2026 |
| Beaver Lake, Mesa County | 7 | 2026: 2, 2025: 3, 2024: 2 | June 19, 2026 |
| Cottonwood Lake #4 | 5 | 2026: 2, 2025: 2, 2024: 1 | June 12, 2026 |
| Cottonwood Lake #1 | 3 | 2026: 1, 2025: 2 | June 5, 2026 |
| Neversweat Reservoir | 4 | 2026: 1, 2025: 1, 2024: 2 | June 5, 2026 |
| Kitson Reservoir | 1 | 2026: 1 | June 5, 2026 |
| Water Dog Reservoir | 3 | 2026: 1, 2025: 1, 2024: 1 | May 22, 2026 |
| Corn Lake | 8 | 2026: 1, 2025: 4, 2024: 3 | April 24, 2026 |
| Purdy Mesa Reservoir | 2 | 2026: 1, 2025: 1 | March 20, 2026 |
Record fish with a Mesa County address
| Species | Record | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grayling | 17.25 in | Bonham Reservoir | 2025 |
| Green Sunfish | 10.50 in | Lake Taviwach #1 | 2025 |
| Hybrid Sunfish | 10.88 in | Juniata Reservoir | 2021 |
CPW Fish Stocking Report (catchable trout, about 10 inches; each listing is a week the water appeared on the report, 2024 to October 2026); CPW publishes no numbers or sizes per water. Retrieved October 2026. State records from the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027).
Regulations
Local rules across Mesa County
Start with the Western Slope (west of the Divide) rows below, then check the named Mesa County waters with special regulations.
| Species | Limit | Season |
|---|---|---|
| Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee) | Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Brook trout 8 inches or less (bonus) | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Kokanee salmon | Daily bag 10, possession 10 | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Walleye, saugeye and sauger | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass | Daily bag 5, possession 5, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Smallmouth bass | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White bass, striped bass and wiper | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| White and black crappie | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Bluegill and other sunfish | Daily bag 20, possession 20, in aggregate | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Yellow perch | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Tiger muskie | Daily bag 1, possession 1; at least 36 inches long | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
| Northern pike and bullhead | No bag or possession limit | Open all year, day and night, unless a special regulation says otherwise |
Mesa County waters in the brochure special regulations (26)
| Water and section | Rules | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Beswick Pond | Fishing prohibited. | p. 12 |
| Bull Basin Reservoir No. 1 | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and min. size for trout is 2, 16 inches long. | p. 14 |
| Bull Creek Reservoirs No. 1, No. 2 & Connecting Channels | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and min. size for trout is 2, 16 inches long. | p. 14 |
| from Fraser River to Troublesome Creek and from Canyon Creek (Grand Co.) to Rock Creek. From Granby Dam downstream to the U.S. 40 bridge approximately 3 miles west of Hot Sulphur Springs: | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. | p. 15 |
| From the U.S. 40 bridge approximately 3 miles west of the Hot Sulphur Springs downstream to confluence with Troublesome Creek (approximately 5 miles east of Kremmling): | Artificial flies and lures only. Trout must be returned to water immediately. | p. 15 |
| From the confluence with the Williams Fork River downstream to the state line: | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. | p. 15 |
| From the confluence with Troublesome Creek downstream to I-70 Exit 90 bridge at Rifle (excluding 50 yards upstream and downstream of the confluences with Canyon, Elk, Grizzly and No Name Creeks): | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. | p. 15 |
| From 50 yards upstream and downstream of the confluences with Canyon, Elk, Grizzly and No Name Creeks: | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. Fishing prohibited March 15–May 31 and Oct. 1–Nov. 30. | p. 15 |
| Connected Lake | Bag, possession and min. size for largemouth bass is 2, 18 inches long. | p. 17 |
| San Miguel From the confluence with West Fork of the Dolores River downstream to the standing water line of McPhee Reservoir: | Taking kokanee prohibited except Nov. 15– Dec. 31 when snagging permitted. | p. 20 |
| From McPhee Dam downstream approximately 11 miles to the Bradfield Bridge: | Artificial flies and lures only. Trout must be returned to water immediately. | p. 20 |
| From McPhee Dam downstream to the state line: | No bag or possession limit for channel catfish, largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, northern pike, walleye, green sunfish, bluegill, bullhead, yellow perch or crappie. | p. 20 |
| From Bradfield Bridge downstream to the state line: | No bag or possession limit for brown trout. | p. 20 |
| Duke Lake | Bag, possession and min. size for largemouth bass is 2, 18 inches long. | p. 20 |
| From the headwaters downstream to USFS boundary: | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 21 |
| Griffith Reservoir | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and min. size for trout is 2, 16 inches long. | p. 23 |
| Hallenbeck (Purdy Mesa) Reservoir | Artificial flies and lures only. Scented flies or lures must be 1.5 inches or longer. Largemouth bass 12–15 inches long must be returned to water immediately. No more than 2 largemouth bass in any bag and possession limit can be longer than 15 inches. | p. 24 |
| Highline Reservoir | Bag, possession and min. size for largemouth bass is 2, 15 inches long. | p. 25 |
| Jerry Creek Reservoirs No. 1 & 2 | Artificial flies and lures only. Scented flies or lures must be 1.5 inches or longer. All fish must be returned to the water immediately. Float tubes with chest-high waders permitted. | p. 26 |
| Juniata Reservoir | Artificial flies and lures only. Scented flies or lures must be 1.5 inches or longer. Largemouth bass 12–15 inches long must be returned to the water immediately. No more than 2 largemouth bass in any bag and possession limit can be longer than 15 inches. | p. 26 |
| Kelso Creek | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 26 |
| Mack Mesa Reservoir | Bag, possession and min. size for largemouth bass is 2, 15 inches long. | p. 27 |
| Points Creek | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 31 |
| Rock Creek, Little | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 33 |
| Silver Lake | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and min. size for trout is 2, 16 inches long. | p. 35 |
| From the Colo. 141 Bridge downstream 5 miles to the confluence of Ute Creek: | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. | p. 39 |
Special regulations as printed in the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), pp. 11 to 39, checked against CPW Chapter W-1 (as approved 13 November 2025); retrieved October 2026.
Local help
Fishing help inside Mesa County
Mesa County worms, lures and flies
- Pepper Custom Baitsbait and tackle shop, Grand Junction
- Walker's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Whitewater
- Western Anglersfly shop, Grand Junction
- Bass Pro Shops Grand Junctionsporting goods store, Grand Junction
- Gearhead Outfitters, 461 Main Streetsporting goods store, Grand Junction
Mesa County guide businesses on the DORA roster
- Western Anglers Guide Service LLCfishing guide, Grand Junction
- Colorado West Slope Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Grand Junction
Yellow Pages listings and chain store locators; DORA Office of Outfitters Registration roster (active business registrations with a fishing word in the name, placed by business city). Retrieved October 2026.
Nearby
Within a short drive of Mesa County
Communities of Mesa County
- Grand Junctionpop. 65,560
- Cliftonpop. 20,413
- Fruitapop. 13,395
- Redlandspop. 9,061
- Fruitvalepop. 8,271
- Orchard Mesapop. 6,688
- Palisadepop. 2,565
Around the edges of Mesa County
- Delta County34 miles east
- Montrose County44 miles south
- Garfield County50 miles northeast
- Rio Blanco County67 miles north
Piscifun
Piscifun reels and grips for Mesa County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
In photos
Photo views of fishing water near Mesa County
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: BLMUtah, Public domain
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Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Hunting
Hunting in Mesa County
Public hunting land, seasons and processors for Mesa County are on State Hunting Spots, our sister site.
Answers
Fishing inside Mesa County: questions and replies
Which ramps serve boaters in Mesa County?
The access list above names 14 ramp sites.
Which lake leads Mesa County by surface area?
Vega Reservoir, about 855 acres by its CPW outline.
Is there Gold Medal trout fishing in Mesa County?
Yes: Colorado River (47.8 mi).
When is fishing season in Mesa County?
All year, day or night, apart from waters with a special closure.
Is a fly shop open in Mesa County?
Pepper Custom Baits is one of 5 listed shops.
How many guide businesses list Mesa County?
The DORA outfitter roster places 2 guide businesses in the county.
Which CPW office handles fish in Mesa County?
Colorado Parks and Wildlife, Northwest Region.
Which town governs Mesa County?
Grand Junction hosts the county government.
What does CPW charge to fish Mesa County for a year?
A Colorado license year costs $44.87 for a resident adult and $124.01 for a visitor; seniors living in the state pay $12.96. Out-of-state day trippers pay $21.90; Colorado residents pay $18.07 per day. Adding a second line takes the $14.24 second-rod stamp.
Is any lake in Mesa County under its own rule?
The brochure prints 26 special regulation entries for the county, starting with Beswick Pond; all are in the regulations table above.
Is Mesa County on the stocking report?
Yes; 20 Mesa County waters appeared on the catchable trout report since 2024, 88 times in all.
Pick a Mesa County stream
Lake pages print the stocking report dates.