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Vallecito Reservoir 12 mi
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0 
Animas River 31 mi
Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency, Public domain 
Navajo Reservoir 36 mi
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0 
Ridgway Reservoir 49 mi
Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation, Public domain
Colorado lakes and reservoirs
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Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County Fishing
A 282-acre Colorado lake in Hinsdale County at 10,038 feet.
Pick for cutthroat troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 Photo of Durango: Ahodges7, CC BY-SA 3.0
Hinsdale County
Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County: setting, size and how to reach it
Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County spreads over roughly 282 acres of Hinsdale County, by its mapped outline. Its surface sits near 10,038 feet above sea level. Weminuche Wilderness Area manages the ground around it. Plan supplies in Piedra, near 17 miles from the shore. In CPW terms it is a Southwest Region water.
CPW records cutbow, native cutthroat trout and rainbow trout in this water. The boating entry reads Non-motorized. CPW calls access difficult; pressure runs low. For hard water, CPW has ice fishing listed as no.
282acres
10,038feet elevation
0boat ramps
3species listed
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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Fish CPW lists for Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
Tap a fish to open its Colorado page, with limits and records, from Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County.
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Access
Launching a boat at Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
CPW maps no boat ramp right on Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County; the nearest ones follow.
Atlas fishing locations at Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
- Emerald Lake fishing access near Piedradifficult access, 10,038 ft
When the Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County ramp is crowded
- USFS boat ramp on Williams Creek ReservoirWilliams Creek Reservoir, 12 miles east
- Vallecito Reservoir boat rampVallecito Reservoir, 13 miles southwest
- Haviland Lake SWAHaviland Lake, 20 miles west
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits
Harvest rules for Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
| 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 |
Drainage matters for walleye, wiper and perch limits; Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County sits west of the Continental Divide. Outside any special regulation, these statewide numbers govern Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County.
Brochure rules for Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
| Water as printed | Rule | Brochure |
|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lakes (Big & Little) | Artificial flies and lures only. Bag, possession and max. size for trout is 2, 14 inches long. | p. 21 |
| In the Lake Creek inlet for 0.5 miles above Big Emerald Lake: | Fishing prohibited Jan. 1–July 15. | p. 21 |
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.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Compare
How Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County measures up to the water around it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County | 282 | 10,038 | 0 | ||
| Emerald Lake Little | under a mile south | 15 | 10,014 | 0 | |
| Ute Lake Lower Twin (#2) | 6 miles north | 4 | 11,794 | 0 | |
| Vallecito Reservoir | 12 miles southwest | 2,472 | 7,669 | 1 | yes |
| Williams Creek Reservoir | 13 miles east | 332 | 8,247 | 1 | yes |
| Rio Grande Reservoir | 14 miles northeast | 1,078 | 0 | yes |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Nearby
The ground surrounding Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
Other reservoirs within a drive of Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
- Emerald Lake Littleunder a mile south
- Ute Lake Lower Twin (#2)6 miles north
- Vallecito Reservoir12 miles southwest
- Williams Creek Reservoir13 miles east
- Rio Grande Reservoir14 miles northeast
Outfitters who fish Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
- Duranglers, Inc.fishing guide, Durango
- Fisher Guide Servicefishing guide, Bayfield
- Sport Fish Colorado LLCfishing guide, Lake City
- Cole Glenn Fly Fishing LLCfly fishing guide, Durango
- Heads Up Fly Fishing LLCfly fishing guide, Ignacio, (970) 984-8433
Beds and gas close to Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
- Bayfield24 miles
- Durango31 miles
- Pagosa Springs31 miles
County guides that cover Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
- Hinsdale Countyseat: Lake City
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Piscifun tackle sized for Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County
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In photos
Reservoirs and creeks near Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County in photos
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: USEPA Environmental-Protection-Agency, Public domain
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Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
Photo: A. E. Crane, U.S. Department of Transportation, Public domain
Answers
Before you drive to Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County, read these
Where in Colorado is Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County?
CPW maps it in Hinsdale County, CPW Southwest Region, about 17 miles from Piedra.
How many acres does Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County cover on CPW maps?
Close to 282 acres by the CPW outline, at about 10,038 feet.
Which ramp do boaters back down at Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County?
CPW maps none here; try a neighbor.
Which gamefish does CPW tie to Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County?
CPW lists cutbow, native cutthroat trout and rainbow trout.
Does the brochure print a special rule for Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. Extra rules from the brochure apply; they are above.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County on a short license?
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.
When did CPW last list Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County for trout?
Not on the stocking report in recent years.
Where can I pick up bait on the way to Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County?
Bring supplies; the listed shops are over 30 miles off.
Can I drill holes at Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County?
CPW lists ice fishing listed as no; no ice is ever certified safe.
Give Emerald Lake, Hinsdale County an early start
Buy the CPW license online before you leave.