.sf-co{–ink:#1C1F22;–deep:#43484D;–teal:#563A86;–mist:#F1F0EC;–foam:#FAFAF8;–lure:#F2C14E;–lure-ink:#3A2A00;–line:#DEDCD5;–muted:#4E5257}.sf-co .sf-hero{background-color:#43484D;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 500px at 4% 100%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),radial-gradient(720px 440px at 96% 0%,rgba(244,246,250,.22),rgba(244,246,250,0) 60%),linear-gradient(160deg,#5A5F64,#43484D 46%,#1E2124);clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 30px),93% calc(100% – 58px),86% calc(100% – 26px),79% calc(100% – 50px),71% calc(100% – 12px),62% calc(100% – 46px),55% calc(100% – 20px),46% calc(100% – 62px),37% calc(100% – 18px),29% calc(100% – 40px),21% calc(100% – 8px),12% calc(100% – 44px),5% calc(100% – 22px),0 calc(100% – 36px));padding-bottom:92px}.sf-co .sf-hero::before{background:linear-gradient(80deg,rgba(28,31,34,.86) 0%,rgba(28,31,34,.56) 50%,rgba(28,31,34,.30) 100%)}.sf-co .sf-eyebrow{border-radius:3px;background:#1C1F22;color:#FBE7B4;border-bottom:3px solid #F2C14E;padding:5px 13px 3px;letter-spacing:.09em}.sf-co .sf-hero .sf-sub{color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-hero .sf-credit{background:rgba(17,19,21,.64);padding:3px 9px;border-radius:3px;color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-hero[style*=”background-image”]::before{background:linear-gradient(98deg,rgba(28,31,34,.90) 0%,rgba(28,31,34,.66) 46%,rgba(67,72,77,.32) 80%,rgba(67,72,77,.16) 100%),linear-gradient(0deg,rgba(18,20,22,.72),rgba(18,20,22,0) 50%)}.sf-co .sf-bar{background-color:#1C1F22;background-image:radial-gradient(560px 230px at 4% 100%,rgba(242,193,78,.22),rgba(242,193,78,0)),linear-gradient(100deg,#1C1F22 40%,#4A4F55)}.sf-co .sf-bar p{color:#E8E8E4}.sf-co .sf-band–white,.sf-co .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-color:#fff;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 4% 8%,rgba(86,58,134,.10),rgba(86,58,134,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 96% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),radial-gradient(640px 400px at 50% 50%,rgba(222,220,213,.30),rgba(222,220,213,0) 62%),linear-gradient(135deg,#FFFFFF,#FAFAF7,#EFEEE8)}.sf-co .sf-band–white:nth-of-type(even){background-image:radial-gradient(900px 520px at 96% 8%,rgba(86,58,134,.10),rgba(86,58,134,0) 64%),radial-gradient(780px 470px at 4% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(225deg,#FFFFFF,#FAFAF7,#EFEEE8)}.sf-co .sf-band–mist{background-color:#F1F0EC;background-image:radial-gradient(860px 520px at 8% 8%,rgba(242,193,78,.34),rgba(242,193,78,0) 64%),radial-gradient(720px 460px at 92% 94%,rgba(86,58,134,.12),rgba(86,58,134,0) 62%),linear-gradient(160deg,#F7F6F2,#F1F0EC,#E4E2DA)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep,.sf-co .sf-band–ink{color:#F1F1EE}.sf-co .sf-band–deep{background-color:#3D4247;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 92% 6%,rgba(244,246,250,.10),rgba(244,246,250,0) 62%),radial-gradient(800px 500px at 6% 94%,rgba(242,193,78,.16),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#4C5156,#3D4247,#272A2D)}.sf-co .sf-band–ink{background-color:#1C1F22;background-image:radial-gradient(900px 540px at 8% 6%,rgba(86,58,134,.34),rgba(86,58,134,0) 62%),radial-gradient(760px 480px at 94% 96%,rgba(242,193,78,.12),rgba(242,193,78,0) 62%),linear-gradient(200deg,#272A2E,#1C1F22,#111315)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-src,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-src{color:#DADAD5}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-head p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-head p,.sf-co .sf-cta p{color:#E9E9E5}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-card p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-card p,.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-fact span,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-fact span{color:#E4E4E0}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-list li span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-list li span{color:#E9E9E5}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–mist .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–white .sf-list a:not(.sf-btn){color:#4A2F78}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–mist .sf-list li>span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–white .sf-list li>span{color:#4B4F54}.sf-co .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#563A86,#9A86C2)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-barrow .t,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-barrow .t{background:linear-gradient(90deg,#D9A22E,#F2C14E)}.sf-co .sf-pill{background:#ECE8F3;color:#2E2346}.sf-co .sf-btn:hover{background:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-card-img,.sf-co .sf-tile{background-color:#43484D}.sf-co .sf-q p{color:#2E3135}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-kicker,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-kicker,.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-fact b,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-fact b{color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-kicker{color:#563A86}.sf-co .sf-pf-card h3{color:#1C1F22!important}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-btn–ghost,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-btn–ghost{border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.48);background:rgba(17,19,21,.38)}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-tablewrap{color:#1C1F22;border-color:#DEDCD5}.sf-co .sf-table td{color:#1C1F22}.sf-co .sf-table th{background:#43484D;color:#fff}.sf-co .sf-table tr:nth-child(even) td{background:#F5F4F0}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-tablewrap a,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-tablewrap a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn){color:#4A2F78}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q{background:rgba(255,255,255,.07);border-color:rgba(255,255,255,.18)}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q p,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q p{color:#ECECE8}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-faq .sf-q p,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-q h3,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-q h3{color:#FFFFFF}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-pill a:not(.sf-card):not(.sf-tile):not(.sf-btn),body.sfs .sf-co .sf-pill a{color:#4A2F78}.sf-co .sf-band–deep .sf-card .sf-more,.sf-co .sf-band–ink .sf-card .sf-more{color:#F7D682}.sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs,.sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs span,body.sfs .sf-co .sf-bar .sf-crumbs a{color:#FFFFFF}.sf-co .sf-note{color:#1C1F22}body.sfs .sf-co .sf-note a{color:#4A2F78}@media (max-width:760px){.sf-co .sf-hero{clip-path:polygon(0 0,100% 0,100% calc(100% – 18px),88% calc(100% – 34px),76% calc(100% – 12px),62% calc(100% – 32px),50% calc(100% – 6px),37% calc(100% – 30px),24% calc(100% – 10px),12% calc(100% – 28px),0 calc(100% – 14px));padding-bottom:62px}}

Colorado lakes and reservoirs

Paonia Reservoir Fishing

A 315-acre Colorado reservoir in Gunnison County at 6,455 feet.

Get driving directions

Pick for rainbow troutPiscifun Carbon X ultralight spinning reel28% OFFSale $57.99 ~~$79.99~~

Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0

Gunnison County

Paonia Reservoir at a glance

Paonia Reservoir holds around 315 surface acres within Gunnison County. CPW gives an elevation of roughly 6,455 feet. Access runs through Paonia State Park. For gas and groceries, Somerset sits roughly 7 miles off. It falls inside the Southwest Region on CPW maps.

Anglers come here for rainbow trout, by the CPW list. Trailers back in at 1 boat ramp. Boating allowed: Motor boats (gasoline). Reaching it is easy; crowds are low, CPW says. CPW winter status: ice fishing listed as no.

315acres

6,455feet elevation

1boat ramps

1species listed

CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (waterbody outline, Boatable Waters, fishing locations), Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.

Directions to Paonia Reservoir Property page

For the rainbow trout herePiscifun Carbon XT ultralight spinning reel25% OFFSale $59.99 ~~$79.99~~

Species

The fishery at Paonia Reservoir

Every chip for Paonia Reservoir comes from a CPW list, a state record or the trout stocking report.

Rainbow trout

CPW Boatable Waters species field, CPW state records and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.

Access

Putting in at Paonia Reservoir

Paonia State Parkboat ramp, State Parks

Walk-up spots at Paonia Reservoir

Paonia Reservoir fishing access near Somerseteasy access, 6,455 ft

CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, retrieved October 25, 2026.

Water supply

Reservoir storage at Paonia Reservoir

USGS gauge	Latest reading	Time (ET)
Paonia Reservoir Near Bardine, Co	6,392.45 ft lake elevation	Oct 27 9:00 pm

US Geological Survey provisional data, retrieved Oct 27, 2026 9:35 pm ET. Provisional readings can be revised.

Spring runoff fills Paonia Reservoir; summer releases draw it down.

Colorado water levels

Limits

Bag limits at Paonia 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

CPW splits some limits by drainage, and Paonia Reservoir falls west of the Continental Divide. Colorado has no closed season by species, so the chart applies all year at Paonia Reservoir unless a special rule says otherwise.

The special regulation entry for Paonia Reservoir

Water as printed	Rule	Brochure
From the top of Paonia Dam downstream to the boundary fence below the stilling basin:	Fishing prohibited as posted.	p. 30

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.

Colorado license and limits

Compare

Measuring Paonia Reservoir against close lakes

Lake	Distance	Acres	Elevation ft	Boat ramps	On the trout report
Paonia Reservoir		315	6,455	1
Lost Lake Slough	10 miles southeast	42	9,629	0	yes
Beaver Lake, Gunnison County	11 miles northeast	27	7,945	0	yes
Irwin Lake	14 miles southeast	46	10,327	0	yes
Overland Reservoir	19 miles northwest	232	9,902	0	yes
Doughty Reservoir	21 miles west	22	9,726	0

CPW Fishing Atlas, ramp layer and stocking report, retrieved October 25, 2026.

Nearby

What sits near Paonia Reservoir

Lakes to pair with Paonia Reservoir

Lost Lake Slough10 miles southeast
Beaver Lake, Gunnison County11 miles northeast
Irwin Lake14 miles southeast
Overland Reservoir19 miles northwest
Doughty Reservoir21 miles west

Bait and flies near Paonia Reservoir

Crested Butte Anglerfly shop, Gunnison, 20 miles
Dragonfly Anglersfly shop, Gunnison, 20 miles
Fly Fishing Showfly shop, Crested Butte, 20 miles

Registered outfitters around Paonia Reservoir

Crested Butte Angler LLCfishing guide, Crested Butte
Gunnison Valley Anglers Cofishing guide, Gunnison River, Gunnison
High Mountain Drifters Guide Service, LLCfishing guide, Gunnison
Dragonfly Anglers, LLCfly fishing guide, Crested Butte

Mountain and plains towns near Paonia Reservoir

Paonia15 miles
Crested Butte20 miles
Snowmass Village27 miles

Counties holding part of Paonia Reservoir

Gunnison Countyseat: Gunnison

Piscifun

What Piscifun makes for Paonia Reservoir anglers

Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.

Know your fish

Species photos for anglers bound for Paonia Reservoir

Rainbow Trout, Colorado — Rainbow Trout
Photo: ColtonOrbaker, CC BY-SA 3.0

Brook Trout, Colorado — Brook Trout
Photo: Photo by and (C)2007 Derek Ramsey (Ram-Man), CC BY-SA 2.5

Wiper, Colorado — Wiper
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

Channel Catfish, Colorado — Channel Catfish
Photo: USFWS Mountain Prairie, Public domain

Answers

Planning notes for Paonia Reservoir in Q and A form

Which Colorado town makes the handiest base for Paonia Reservoir?

It lies in Gunnison County, CPW Southwest Region, about 7 miles from Somerset.

How much surface does Paonia Reservoir spread across when full?

The outline measures about 315 acres, at about 6,455 feet.

How many CPW ramps reach the water at Paonia Reservoir?

1 boat ramp on the CPW layer, Paonia State Park included.

Which species does CPW list for Paonia Reservoir?

The CPW roster names rainbow trout.

How many trout can I keep at Paonia Reservoir?

Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate. Special rules for it sit in the table above.

How much is a one-day license for Paonia Reservoir?

Fishing two lines at once takes the $14.24 second-rod stamp on top of the license; adult residents pay $44.87 for the license and nonresidents $124.01.

How often does CPW stock Paonia Reservoir?

It is not on the 2024 to 2026 catchable trout report.

Where do anglers at Paonia Reservoir get supplies?

Crested Butte Angler, 20 miles out.

Where can I check storage at Paonia Reservoir?

Check the USGS gauge above.

What does CPW say about ice at Paonia Reservoir?

ice fishing listed as no, per CPW; conditions change daily.

Plan a Colorado day at Paonia Reservoir

Fees, stamps and special rules sit on the license page.

Colorado license and limits All Colorado lakes