Jefferson Lake Fishing
A 89-acre Colorado lake in Park County at 10,692 feet.
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Jefferson Lake: setting, size and how to reach it
Jefferson Lake spreads over roughly 89 acres of Park County, by its mapped outline. Its surface sits near 10,692 feet above sea level. Pike National Forest manages the ground around it. Plan supplies in Montezuma, near 9 miles from the shore. In CPW terms it is a Northeast Region water.
CPW records brook trout, cutbow, lake trout, rainbow trout and trout in this water. The boating entry reads Non-motorized. CPW calls access easy; pressure runs high. For hard water, CPW has ice fishing listed as yes.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
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Tap a fish to open its Colorado page, with limits and records, from Jefferson Lake.
CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Launching a boat at Jefferson Lake
CPW maps no boat ramp right on Jefferson Lake; the nearest ones follow.
Atlas fishing locations at Jefferson Lake
- Jefferson Lake fishing access near Montezumaeasy access, stocked: catchable trout, 10,692 ft
When the Jefferson Lake ramp is crowded
- Frisco Marina on Dillon ReservoirDillon Reservoir, 15 miles northwest
- Dillon MarinaDillon Reservoir, 15 miles northwest
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Harvest rules for Jefferson Lake
| 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 |
| 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 | Daily bag 20, possession 20 | 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; Jefferson Lake sits east of the Continental Divide. Outside any special regulation, these statewide numbers govern Jefferson Lake.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Trout stocking dates at Jefferson Lake
CPW put Jefferson Lake on its weekly catchable trout report 6 listings; the most recent listing is dated June 5, 2026.
| Report date | What CPW lists |
|---|---|
| June 5, 2026 | catchable trout, CPW Northeast Region |
| August 22, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Northeast Region |
| August 1, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Northeast Region |
| June 20, 2025 | catchable trout, CPW Northeast Region |
| August 21, 2024 | catchable trout, CPW Northeast Region |
| June 12, 2024 | catchable trout, CPW Northeast Region |
CPW Fish Stocking Report (catchable trout of about 10 inches; the date is when CPW added the water to its weekly list), 2024 to October 2026, retrieved October 25, 2026. Colorado stocking.
How Jefferson Lake measures up to the water around it
| Lake | Distance | Acres | Elevation ft | Boat ramps | On the trout report |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Lake | 89 | 10,692 | 0 | yes | |
| Shelf Lake | 10 miles north | 7 | 11,983 | 0 | |
| Silver Dollar Lake | 12 miles northeast | 16 | 11,956 | 0 | |
| Murray Lake | 12 miles northeast | 8 | 12,105 | 0 | |
| Montgomery Reservoir | 13 miles southwest | 94 | 10,871 | 0 | yes |
| Frozen Lake | 13 miles northeast | 4 | 12,956 | 0 |
CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.
The ground surrounding Jefferson Lake
Other reservoirs within a drive of Jefferson Lake
- Shelf Lake10 miles north
- Silver Dollar Lake12 miles northeast
- Murray Lake12 miles northeast
- Montgomery Reservoir13 miles southwest
- Frozen Lake13 miles northeast
Where to buy line and lures near Jefferson Lake
- Breckenridge Outfitterssporting goods store, Summit, 10 miles
- Frisco Marinamarina, Summit, 15 miles
- Trouts Fly Fishing, 309 Main Stfly shop, Frisco, 15 miles
- Frisco Bay Marinamarina, Frisco, 15 miles
- Big Ed's Fishing Venturesbait and tackle shop, Dillon, 15 miles
- Dillon Marinamarina, Dillon, 15 miles
Outfitters who fish Jefferson Lake
- Alpine Fishing Adventuresfishing guide, Frisco, (303) 885-6292
- Mountain Anglerfishing guide, Breckenridge, (970) 453-4665
- The Affable Angler Corp.fishing guide, Breckenridge
- Stonefly Angler LLCfly fishing guide, Breckenridge
- Tumbling Trout Fly Shopfly fishing guide, Lake George, (720) 363-2092
Beds and gas close to Jefferson Lake
- Breckenridge10 miles
- Frisco15 miles
- Dillon15 miles
County guides that cover Jefferson Lake
- Park Countyseat: Fairplay
Piscifun tackle sized for Jefferson Lake
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Reservoirs and creeks near Jefferson Lake in photos
Photo: Dicklyon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Before you drive to Jefferson Lake, read these
Where in Colorado is Jefferson Lake?
CPW maps it in Park County, CPW Northeast Region, about 9 miles from Montezuma.
How many acres does Jefferson Lake cover on CPW maps?
Close to 89 acres by the CPW outline, at about 10,692 feet.
Which ramp do boaters back down at Jefferson Lake?
CPW maps none here; try a neighbor.
Which gamefish does CPW tie to Jefferson Lake?
CPW lists brook trout, cutbow, lake trout, rainbow trout and trout.
Does the brochure print a special rule for Jefferson Lake?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate.
Can an out-of-state visitor fish Jefferson Lake 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 Jefferson Lake for trout?
The report carries 6 listings on the CPW catchable trout report (1 in 2026, 3 in 2025, 2 in 2024); latest June 5, 2026.
Where can I pick up bait on the way to Jefferson Lake?
Closest on our list: Breckenridge Outfitters, 10 miles.
Can I drill holes at Jefferson Lake?
CPW lists ice fishing listed as yes; no ice is ever certified safe.
Give Jefferson Lake an early start
Buy the CPW license online before you leave.