Atkinson Creek Fishing
A Colorado stream in Mesa County.
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The Atkinson Creek at a glance
Through Mesa County runs the Atkinson Creek, a stream CPW manages for anglers. Collbran lies near 10 miles from the channel.
Anglers reach it on Grand Mesa National Forest. There are 1 mapped fishing location on the atlas.
CPW Fishing Atlas 2025 layers (special-regulation, Gold Medal and fishing location layers), NHD flowlines, Census places, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Walk-in water on the Atkinson Creek
- Grand Mesa National ForestNational Forest
Much Colorado stream frontage is private; on the Atkinson Creek, fish from the properties listed and respect posted boundaries.
CPW Fishing Atlas fishing location property names and Quality Waters access notes, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Reaching the banks of the Atkinson Creek
Where anglers start on the Atkinson Creek
- Atkinson Creek fishing access near Collbranmedium access, 9,946 ft
When the Atkinson Creek ramp is crowded
- Early Settlers Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 9 miles
- Island Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 10 miles
- Oak Point Ramp on Vega ReservoirVega Reservoir, 11 miles
CPW boat ramp and Fishing Atlas fishing location layers, USGS gauges, retrieved October 25, 2026.
Limits a warden checks on the Atkinson Creek
| 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 |
| Channel, flathead and blue catfish | Daily bag 10, possession 10, 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 |
| 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; the Atkinson Creek sits west of the Continental Divide. The chart is the baseline on the Atkinson Creek; brochure entries can tighten it.
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.
Statewide bag and possession chart, 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure (CPW, season March 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027), p. 10, retrieved October 25, 2026. All Colorado limits.
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Other reservoirs within a drive of the Atkinson Creek
- Bonham Reservoirunder a mile
- Atkinson Reservoirunder a mile
- Big Creek Reservoir #11 mile
- Silver Lake, Mesa County2 miles
Where to buy line and lures near the Atkinson Creek
- Walker's Bait & Tacklebait and tackle shop, Whitewater, 26 miles
Outfitters who fish the Atkinson Creek
- Western Anglers Guide Service LLCfishing guide, Grand Junction
- Colorado West Slope Fly Fishingfly fishing guide, Grand Junction
Beds and gas close to the Atkinson Creek
- Cedaredge14 miles
- Orchard City20 miles
- Paonia23 miles
- Palisade25 miles
Colorado rivers close to the Atkinson Creek
- Big Creekunder a mile
- Cottonwood Creek, Mesa County4 miles
- Bonita Creek4 miles
- Middle Leon Creek5 miles
County guides that cover the Atkinson Creek
Piscifun tackle sized for the Atkinson Creek
Piscifun and Amazon links are affiliate links; the site earns a commission on qualifying purchases.
Photo views of fishing water near Atkinson Creek
Photo: Hustvedt, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Jeffrey Beall, CC BY 4.0
Photo: Afoxland at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0
Photo: Dave Dugdale from Superior, USA. Slight color-correction by Daniel Case prior to upload, CC BY-SA 2.0
Before you drive to the Atkinson Creek, read these
Where does the Atkinson Creek run?
Look in Mesa County.
Does CPW treat the Atkinson Creek as trout water worth the drive?
It carries no CPW trout label; statewide rules apply.
What did the newest USGS reading on the Atkinson Creek say?
No live USGS station on our list covers it.
Where can I wade the Atkinson Creek legally?
CPW lists Grand Mesa National Forest.
Is the Atkinson Creek catch and release?
Trout, arctic char, grayling, salmon and whitefish (not kokanee): Daily bag 4, possession 8, in aggregate.
Does Colorado sell a trout stamp for the Atkinson Creek?
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.
Which tackle counter on our Colorado list is nearest the Atkinson Creek?
Walker's Bait & Tackle sits about 26 miles away.
Which fish does CPW place in the Atkinson Creek?
No CPW listing names its fish.
What town sits by the Atkinson Creek?
Collbran is nearest, some 10 miles off.
Fish a few runs of the Atkinson Creek
Look at the flow band and limits, then go.