There's Something about the Lake Fork -
The Lake Fork of the Gunnison
Text and Photos courtesy ofThe Sportsman Outdoors and Fly Shop
The Lake Fork of the Gunnison River drains the northeastern portion of the spectacular San Juan Mountains and is one of Colorado's most underrated and intriguing fisheries.
It must be mentioned here that recent studies performed by the DOW have determined that in various sections of the Lake Fork, the number of trout over 14 inches is twice the amount necessary for "Gold Medal" status.
With a variety of water - from riffles to deep, mysterious pools in deep canyons, the Lake Fork offers plenty of public water, some of which must be hiked to.
Browns, rainbows, cutthroats and a few brookies, average 10 to 16 inches, with many in the 20-inch range and some much larger. Nymphing is always productive on the Lake Fork, and dry fly fishing is excellent following spring run-off and continues all the way into the fall.
Despite its cold waters and relatively steep gradient, the Lake Fork has a good aquatic insect base and a variety of hatches to test the skills of any fly fisher!
 |
 |
| A fine Lake Fork Brookie | One of the gorgeous browns |
 |
 |
| A nice Rainbow | Oh Yeah, and one of the "hogs" |
All text and photos above © 2001The Sportsman Outdoor and Fly Shop
Resources/Other Info:
Click
here to buy a NEW Ebook about Trout fishing on
Colorado State lands - includes info about the Lake Fork and
area
Click here to buy
topo maps for this area.
You need map
141 which will cover most of the river.
Click here to buy a Fly Fishing Guide for the Gunnison Area by Michael Shook, which includes info on the Lake Fork
Click
here to buy a guidemap for
the Gunnison River including the Lake Fork
Visit the Sportsman Outdoors and Fly Shop in Lake City
How to get there?
- Take Hwy 149 southwest from Gunnison. It will meet up with the Lake Fork. There is access off this road and also at the inlet to Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Rules for the Lake Fork:
- Headwaters downstream to waterfall at Sherman - Artificial flies and lures only; all cutthroats are catch and release
- From inlet at Lake San Cristobal upstream to first bridge crossing: Artificial flies only
- From High Bridge Gulch downstream to BLM boundary below Gate CG and from Cherry Creek to upper Red Bridge CG boundary: Artificial flies only, bag and possession for Browns is two fish, minimum 16" PLUS all rainbows are catch and release
- From BLM boundary below Gate CG to Cherry Creek: Bag and possession for trout is two fish
- From Argenta Falls downstream to Blue Mesa Res: Snagging Kokanee permitted Sep. 1 to Dec. 31