Atkinson Reservoir Fishing
A 75-acre Colorado reservoir in Mesa County at 10,090 feet.
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A quick portrait of Atkinson Reservoir
Measured from the CPW water layer, Atkinson Reservoir is a reservoir of some 75 acres in Mesa County. Expect thin air: this water sits near 10,090 feet. The surrounding property is Grand Mesa National Forest, per CPW. Collbran is the nearest Census place to the shore, near 11 miles off. Fisheries staff of the CPW Northwest Region oversee it.
The CPW species field names native cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. Craft permitted, per CPW: Motor boats (gasoline). Atlas notes: medium to reach, high pressure. On ice: ice fishing listed as no.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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Listed fish for Atkinson Reservoir, each linked where Colorado has a species page.
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Ramp access for Atkinson Reservoir
For Atkinson Reservoir, the ramp layer is empty; nearby ramps are listed.
Mapped access at Atkinson Reservoir
- Atkinson Reservoir fishing access near Collbranmedium access, 10,090 ft
Boat ramps in reach of Atkinson Reservoir
- Early Settlers Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 9 miles northeast
- Island Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 10 miles northeast
- Oak Point Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 11 miles northeast
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits a warden checks at Atkinson Reservoir
| Species | Bag and possession | 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 |
For the statewide limits chart, Atkinson Reservoir counts as west of the Continental Divide water. Unless listed in the brochure special regulations, Atkinson Reservoir follows the statewide chart.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Nearby water compared with Atkinson Reservoir
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atkinson Reservoir | 75 | 10,090 | 0 | ||
| Big Creek Reservoir #1 | under a mile south | 64 | 10,090 | 0 | |
| Bonham Reservoir | 1 mile west | 75 | 9,776 | 0 | |
| Forty Acre Lake | 2 miles southwest | 19 | 10,166 | 0 | |
| Vela Reservoir | 2 miles south | 19 | 10,090 | 0 | |
| Silver Lake, Mesa County | 2 miles southwest | 9 | 10,204 | 0 |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Within a short drive of Atkinson Reservoir
Further reservoirs a short haul from Atkinson Reservoir
- Big Creek Reservoir #1under a mile south
- Bonham Reservoir1 mile west
- Forty Acre Lake2 miles southwest
- Vela Reservoir2 miles south
- Silver Lake, Mesa County2 miles southwest
Tackle counters on the way to Atkinson Reservoir
- Walker's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Whitewater, 27 miles
Fishing outfitters by Atkinson Reservoir
- Western Anglers Guide Service LLCfishing guide, Grand Junction
- Colorado West Slope Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Grand Junction
Where to stay for a Atkinson Reservoir trip
- Cedaredge14 miles
- Orchard City20 miles
- Paonia22 miles
Which county pages list Atkinson Reservoir
- Mesa Countyseat: Grand Junction
Piscifun reels and grips for Atkinson Reservoir
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A camera tour of the water by Atkinson Reservoir
Photo: Afoxland at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Dave Dugdale from Superior, USA. Slight color-correction by Daniel Case prior to upload, CC BY-SA 2.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Straight answers about Atkinson Reservoir
Which CPW region covers Atkinson Reservoir?
The outline falls in Mesa County, CPW Northwest Region, about 11 miles from Collbran.
How many acres does the CPW outline give Atkinson Reservoir?
Around 75 acres of water, at about 10,090 feet.
Does Atkinson Reservoir have a CPW-mapped boat ramp?
None on file; see the nearby list.
Which fish does CPW list at Atkinson Reservoir?
Fish on the list: native cutthroat trout and rainbow trout.
Are there extra rules at Atkinson Reservoir?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate.
Is a second-rod stamp needed at Atkinson Reservoir?
Colorado sells no separate trout stamp; a CPW fishing license covers trout ($44.87 for adult residents, $124.01 for nonresidents), and anglers 16 and older need one.
Are catchable trout released into Atkinson Reservoir?
No catchable trout listing exists for it.
Is there a fly shop near Atkinson Reservoir?
Drive about 27 miles to Walker's Bait & Tackle.
Is Atkinson Reservoir fished through the ice?
CPW shows ice fishing listed as no; carry picks and test thickness.
Circle a weekend for Atkinson Reservoir
Check the bag before a fish goes on the stringer.