Fishing in Summit County, Colorado
Seat: Breckenridge. CPW Northwest Region.
- 4lake pages
- 4ramp sites
- 12stream pages
Pick for troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Dillon Reservoir: Clyde Charles Brown, CC BY-SA 4.0
Getting to know the water of Summit County
Anglers in Summit County deal with the CPW Northwest Region; local government works out of Breckenridge. About 10.9 square miles of water sit inside its borders, next to 608 square miles of land and 31,055 residents (2020). Gold Medal water in the county: Blue River (18.9 mi of stream).
Lake pages here: 4, adding up to 5,481 acres, with Dillon Reservoir the largest sheet of water. Copper Mountain Pond rises to 9,666 feet, higher than any other lake here with a page. Boaters have 4 ramp sites CPW-mapped ramp sites in the county. Fishing Atlas coverage: 18 locations in the county, 5 accessible ones. The atlas notes say yes to ice fishing at 4 county lakes.
Census 2020 population and 2023 Gazetteer land and water area; CPW Fishing Atlas waterbodies, ramps and fishing locations, retrieved October 2026.
Ramps, lakes and streams of Summit County on one 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.
For the trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 Ponds and reservoirs across Summit County
| Lake | Acres | Elevation ft | Notes | Species listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Reservoir | 3,345 | 9,022 | ice fishing, gas motors, trout stocked | brown trout, cutbow, kokanee salmon |
| Green Mountain Reservoir | 2,111 | 7,952 | ice fishing, gas motors | brown trout, cutbow, kokanee salmon |
| Copper Mountain Pond | 13 | 9,666 | ice fishing, no motors, trout stocked | brook trout, rainbow trout |
| Officers Gulch Pond | 12 | 9,450 | ice fishing, no motors | brook trout, rainbow trout, tiger trout |
CPW Fishing Atlas waterbody outlines (acres from the outline), elevation and boating notes; species from CPW Boatable Waters. Retrieved October 2026.
Additional still water in Summit County
Another 7 named lakes and ponds sit in Summit County without a page of their own.
| Water | Acres | Elevation ft | Nearest town |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mayflower Trailings Pond | 275 | Copper Mountain | |
| Clinton Reservoir | 94 | Copper Mountain | |
| Black Lake, Summit County | 88 | Heeney | |
| Goose Pasture Tarn | 64 | Blue River | |
| Breckenridge Reservoir | 2 | 9,935 | Breckenridge |
| Meadow Creek Pond | 1 | 9,067 | Frisco |
| Trent Pond | 1 | 8,714 | Silverthorne |
CPW Fishing Atlas waterbodies, retrieved October 2026.
Creeks and forks across Summit County
- Blue Riverriver, Gold Medal 18.9 mi; 6 reaches with special rules (61.6 mi); 4 public access properties
- Williams Forkstream, 2 reaches with special rules (2.3 mi)
- Cataract Creekstream, 1 reach with special rules (10.1 mi); 1 public access property
- Corral Creekstream, 1 reach with special rules (2.4 mi)
- North Fork Snake Riverriver, 1 public access property
- North Fork Swan Riverriver, 1 reach with special rules (4.5 mi)
- North Tenmile Creekstream, 1 public access property
- Spruce Creek near Blue River, Summit Countystream, 1 reach with special rules (3.5 mi)
- Spruce Creek near Heeney, Summit Countystream, 1 reach with special rules (6.8 mi)
- Swan Riverriver, 1 reach with special rules (7.8 mi)
- Tenmile Creekstream, 1 reach with special rules (6.8 mi)
- West Tenmile Creekstream, 1 public access property
Trout water in Summit County
Across Summit County, 12 streams have regulated reaches and 1 are Gold Medal water.
See the Gold Medal waters page for the statewide list.
- Big Hole Creek1 reach with special rules (3.4 mi), near Heeney
- Steelman Creek1 reach with special rules (2.6 mi), near Silverthorne
- Three Licks Creek1 reach with special rules (3.2 mi), near Heeney
Stream gauges in Summit County
| USGS gauge | Latest reading | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Blue River Below Green Mountain Reservoir, Co | 66 cfs, 2.58 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:00 pm |
| Blue River Below Dillon, Co. | 63 cfs, 0.91 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:15 pm |
| Blue River Near Dillon, Co | 30 cfs, 4.35 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:00 pm |
| Tenmile Creek Bl North Tenmile C, At Frisco, Co. | 25 cfs, 1.82 ft gage height | Nov 12 7:00 pm |
| Snake River Near Montezuma, Co | 19 cfs, 1.19 ft gage height | Nov 2 12:15 pm Not updated since Nov 2, 2026. |
| Blue River At Blue River, Co. | 7 cfs, 0.50 ft gage height | Nov 12 6:45 pm |
US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Nov 12, 2026 7:33 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 gauges across Summit County
City of Colorado Springs (Station cooperator) storage telemetry for Upper Blue Reservoir Near Breckenridge (station BLURESCO), recorded October 25, 2026; retrieved October 25, 2026. Provisional data from CDSS.
Co. Division of Water Resources storage telemetry for Dillon Reservoir (station DILRESCO), recorded October 25, 2026; retrieved October 25, 2026. Provisional data from CDSS.
Bureau of Reclamation (Station cooperator) storage telemetry for Green Mountain Reservoir (station GRERESCO), recorded October 25, 2026; retrieved October 25, 2026. Provisional data from CDSS.
Boat access in Summit County
- Dillon MarinaDillon Reservoir, boat ramp, ANS inspection, Other
- Frisco Marina on Dillon ReservoirDillon Reservoir, boat ramp, ANS inspection, Other
- Heeney Marina Ramp on Green Mountain ReservoirGreen Mountain Reservoir, boat ramp, ANS inspection, Other
- McDonald Flats Ramp on Green Mountain ReservoirGreen Mountain Reservoir, boat ramp, Other
Bank access mapped in Summit County (18)
- Meadow Creek ParkMeadow Creek Pond, accessible pier, easy access, 9,067 ft
- Blue River, Blue River SWA – Blue River UnitBlue River #2, medium access, stocked: catchable trout, 7,999 ft
- Blue River, Blue River SWA – Sutton UnitBlue River #2, medium access, stocked: catchable trout, 8,447 ft
- Blue River, Breckenridge Satellite ParkingBlue River #3, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,391 ft
- Cataract CreekCataract Creek #2, difficult access, 10,085 ft
- Curtain Ponds, White River National ForestCopper Mountain Pond, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,666 ft
- Curtain Ponds, White River National Forest 2Copper Mountain Pond, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,672 ft
- Dillon Reservoir fishing access near Dillon, Summit CountyDillon Reservoir, accessible pier, easy access, stocked: catchable trout and sub-catchables, 9,022 ft
- Dillon Reservoir fishing access near Dillon, Summit County 2Dillon Reservoir, accessible fishing area
- Dillon Reservoir fishing access near FriscoDillon Reservoir, accessible fishing area
- Green Mountain Reservoir fishing access near HeeneyGreen Mountain Reservoir, easy access, 7,952 ft
- Meadow Creek Park fishing access near FriscoMeadow Creek Park, accessible fishing area
- Officers Gulch Pond fishing access near FriscoOfficers Gulch Pond, easy access, stocked: sub-catchables, 9,450 ft
- Sawmill ReservoirBreckenridge Reservoir, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 9,935 ft
- Snake River, North ForkSnake River, North Fk, medium access, 9,995 ft
- Tenmile Creek, NorthNorth Tenmile Creek, difficult access, 10,052 ft
- Tenmile Creek, WestWest Tenmile Creek, easy access, 9,794 ft
- Trent Pond fishing access near SilverthorneTrent Pond, easy access, stocked: catchable trout, 8,714 ft
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers (ndismaps.nrel.colostate.edu), retrieved October 2026.
What CPW stocks in Summit County, and the records
The CPW stocking report lists 2 waters in Summit County, 16 weekly listings since 2024.
Trout report listings for Summit County
| Water | Listings | By year | Latest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon Reservoir | 11 | 2026: 3, 2025: 4, 2024: 4 | Oct. 2, 2026 |
| Copper Mountain Pond | 5 | 2026: 3, 2025: 2 | July 24, 2026 |
State records from Summit County
| Species | Record | Water | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Snake River Cutthroat Trout | 17-2.6 (lbs.-ozs.) | Blue River | 2005 |
| Arctic Char | 7-7.68 (lbs.-ozs.) | Dillon Res. | 2023 |
| Arctic Char | 25.38 in | Lake Dillon | 2024 |
| Brown Trout | 30.00 in | Dillon Reservoir | 2025 |
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).
Special regulations in Summit County
Colorado waters stay open year round; in Summit County the Western Slope (west of the Divide) limits apply except where a special regulation steps in.
| 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 |
Summit County exceptions to the statewide chart (19)
| Water and section | Rules | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| from Dillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge From Summit CR 3 (Coyne Valley Rd. 3 miles north of Breckenridge) downstream to Dillon Reservoir: | Artificial flies and lures only. Brown trout over 14 inches long must be returned to water immediately. Fishing prohibited New Sept. 15–Dec. 1. | p. 13 |
| From Dillon Dam downstream to north city limits of Silverthorne: | Artificial flies and lures only. Trout must be returned to water immediately. | p. 13 |
| From north city limits of Silverthorne downstream to Colo. 9 bridge over the Blue River at Blue River State Wildlife Area: | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and min. size for trout is 2, 16 inches long. | p. 13 |
| From Colo. 9 bridge over the Blue River at Blue River State Wildlife Area downstream to Green Mountain Reservoir inlet: | Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–Dec. 31. | p. 13 |
| From Green Mountain Dam downstream to the Colorado River: | Artificial flies and lures only. Trout must be returned to water immediately. | p. 13 |
| Cataract Creek | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 14 |
| Clinton Reservoir | Bag and possession limit for trout is 2. | p. 15 |
| Corral Creek | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 17 |
| Dillon Reservoir | Arctic char under 20 inches must be returned to the water immediately. Bag, possession and min. size limit for Arctic char is 1, 20 inches long. Brown trout over 14 inches long must be returned to water immediately. | p. 17 |
| French Gulch | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 23 |
| Frey Gulch | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 23 |
| Green Mountain Reservoir | Bag and possession limit for lake trout is 8. Snagging kokanee permitted Sept. 1–Dec. 31. | p. 23 |
| Laskey Gulch | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 26 |
| Old Dillon Reservoir | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and min. size for golden trout 1, 16 inches long. | p. 30 |
| Spruce Creek | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 37 |
| Swan River | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and min. size for trout is 2, 16 inches long. | p. 37 |
| Swan River, North Fork | Artificial flies and lures only. Cutthroat must be returned to water immediately. | p. 37 |
| From the confluence of West Tenmile Creek near Copper Mountain downstream to Dillon Reservoir: | All brown trout over 14 inches in length must be returned to water immediately. Fishing prohibited from New Sept. 15–Dec. 1. | p. 37 |
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.
Ice contests and derbies across Summit County
For Summit County there are 1 event on file, 0 ahead.
| Dates | Event | Water | Organizer |
|---|---|---|---|
| June 1, 2026 to Sept. 30, 2026 | Green Mountain Reservoir Pike Removal Tournament (2026) | Green Mountain Reservoir | Colorado Parks and Wildlife |
Organizer, CPW news and event pages (CPW publishes no tournament permit list), checked October 2026.
Bait counters and fly shops in Summit County
Gear stores serving Summit County anglers
- Big Ed's Fishing Venturesbait and tackle shop, Dillon
- Fly Fishingfly shop, Silverthorne
- Master Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Heeney
- The Colorado Anglerfly shop
- Trouts Fly Fishing, 309 Main Stfly shop, Frisco
- Breckenridge Outfitterssporting goods store
- Dillon Marinamarina, Dillon
- Frisco Bay Marinamarina, Frisco
- Frisco Marinamarina
- Heeney Marina At Green Mtnmarina, Silverthorne
Guide services located in Summit County
- Alpine Fishing Adventuresfishing guide, Frisco, (303) 885-6292
- Cutthroat Anglers LLCfishing guide, Silverthorne
- Integrity Fishing Ventures Incfishing guide, Dillon
- Mountain Anglerfishing guide, Breckenridge, (970) 453-4665
- Silver Flask Fishingfishing guide, Dillon
- Summit Fishing Guidesfishing guide, Dillon, (970) 680-3474
- The Affable Angler Corp.fishing guide, Breckenridge
- Stonefly Angler LLCfly fishing guide, Breckenridge
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.
Around Summit County on the map
Where people stay in Summit County
- Breckenridgepop. 5,078
- Silverthornepop. 4,402
- Friscopop. 2,913
- Dillonpop. 1,064
Past the Summit County line
- Clear Creek County25 miles east
- Eagle County30 miles west
- Lake County31 miles south
- Grand County34 miles north
Piscifun gear to pack for Summit County
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
A camera tour of the water by Summit County
Photo: PEO ACWA, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Sayamindu Dasgupta, CC BY-SA 2.0
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Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Hunting in Summit County
Public hunting land, seasons and processors for Summit County are on State Hunting Spots, our sister site.
Colorado anglers ask this about Summit County
What boat launching is there in Summit County?
The CPW ramp layer shows 4 ramp sites, all listed above.
Which Summit County lake should a first-timer try?
Dillon Reservoir, about 3,345 acres by its CPW outline.
Can I fish a Gold Medal reach in Summit County?
Yes: Blue River (18.9 mi).
Is night fishing legal on Summit County water?
Statewide rules keep water open year round; only special regulations close a water.
Does any Summit County storefront carry fishing tackle?
The county list has 10, including Big Ed's Fishing Ventures.
Do any outfitters on the state roster work from Summit County?
DORA lists 8 guide businesses based here.
Under which CPW region does Summit County fall?
CPW Northwest Region.
Which community serves as seat for Summit County?
Breckenridge.
Is a second-rod stamp worth buying for Summit County?
Anglers 16 and over carry a CPW fishing license: $44.87 a year for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents, $12.96 for resident seniors. A single day of fishing costs $18.07 with residency and $21.90 without. The second-rod stamp costs $14.24 for anyone fishing two lines.
Is any ice contest or derby scheduled for Summit County?
1 event listed, all of them already fished.
Are there flies-and-lures waters in Summit County?
The brochure prints 19 special regulation entries for the county, starting with from Dillon Dam to Hamilton Creek Road bridge From Summit CR 3 (Coyne Valley Rd. 3 miles n; all are in the regulations table above.
Which Summit County lake is stocked most often?
Yes; 2 Summit County waters appeared on the catchable trout report since 2024, 16 times in all.
Plan a day in Summit County
Every lake page lists species, ramps and limits.