Big Creek Reservoir #1 Fishing
A 64-acre Colorado reservoir in Mesa County at 10,090 feet.
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A quick portrait of Big Creek Reservoir #1
Measured from the CPW water layer, Big Creek Reservoir #1 is a reservoir of some 64 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 12 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: easy 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 Big Creek Reservoir #1, 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 Big Creek Reservoir #1
For Big Creek Reservoir #1, the ramp layer is empty; nearby ramps are listed.
Mapped access at Big Creek Reservoir #1
- Big Creek Reservoir #1 fishing access near Collbraneasy access, 10,090 ft
Boat ramps in reach of Big Creek Reservoir #1
- Early Settlers Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 10 miles northeast
- Island Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 11 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 Big Creek Reservoir #1
| 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, Big Creek Reservoir #1 counts as west of the Continental Divide water. Unless listed in the brochure special regulations, Big Creek Reservoir #1 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 Big Creek Reservoir #1
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Big Creek Reservoir #1 | 64 | 10,090 | 0 | ||
| Atkinson Reservoir | under a mile north | 75 | 10,090 | 0 | |
| Vela Reservoir | 1 mile southeast | 19 | 10,090 | 0 | |
| Military Park Reservoir | 2 miles south | 28 | 10,108 | 0 | |
| Bonham Reservoir | 2 miles northwest | 75 | 9,776 | 0 | |
| Forty Acre Lake | 2 miles west | 19 | 10,166 | 0 |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Within a short drive of Big Creek Reservoir #1
Further reservoirs a short haul from Big Creek Reservoir #1
- Atkinson Reservoirunder a mile north
- Vela Reservoir1 mile southeast
- Military Park Reservoir2 miles south
- Bonham Reservoir2 miles northwest
- Forty Acre Lake2 miles west
Tackle counters on the way to Big Creek Reservoir #1
- Walker's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Whitewater, 26 miles
Fishing outfitters by Big Creek Reservoir #1
- Western Anglers Guide Service LLCfishing guide, Grand Junction
- Colorado West Slope Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Grand Junction
Where to stay for a Big Creek Reservoir #1 trip
- Cedaredge13 miles
- Orchard City19 miles
- Paonia21 miles
Which county pages list Big Creek Reservoir #1
- Mesa Countyseat: Grand Junction
Piscifun reels and grips for Big Creek Reservoir #1
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A camera tour of the water by Big Creek Reservoir #1
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Tony Webster, CC BY 2.0
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Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
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Straight answers about Big Creek Reservoir #1
Which CPW region covers Big Creek Reservoir #1?
The outline falls in Mesa County, CPW Northwest Region, about 12 miles from Collbran.
How many acres does the CPW outline give Big Creek Reservoir #1?
Around 64 acres of water, at about 10,090 feet.
Does Big Creek Reservoir #1 have a CPW-mapped boat ramp?
None on file; see the nearby list.
Which fish does CPW list at Big Creek Reservoir #1?
Fish on the list: native cutthroat trout and rainbow trout.
Are there extra rules at Big Creek Reservoir #1?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate.
Is a second-rod stamp needed at Big Creek Reservoir #1?
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 Big Creek Reservoir #1?
No catchable trout listing exists for it.
Is there a fly shop near Big Creek Reservoir #1?
Drive about 26 miles to Walker's Bait & Tackle.
Is Big Creek Reservoir #1 fished through the ice?
CPW shows ice fishing listed as no; carry picks and test thickness.
Circle a weekend for Big Creek Reservoir #1
Check the bag before a fish goes on the stringer.