Fishing Frequently Asked Questions
Prepared by long-time Blue Mesa guide Jesse Frezzell
Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest body of water, and is the largest Kokanee Salmon fishery in the United States.
- By far the most frequently asked question around Blue Mesa is about fish and is:
Q.) Where are the Fish?
A.) This is also the most difficult question to answer because it is always changing and is usually fallowed by the question, what kind of fish? The best way to get this question answered is to ask at Elk Creek or Lake Fork Marinas. However some local favorite spots for all types of fish are Iola, Cebolla, Middle Bridge and Soup Creek.
- The most frequently asked questions that fallow all involve how to get the fish in your cooler, but lets start with this.
Q.) What type of fish are in Blue Mesa?
A.) Blue Mesa has: Kokanee Salmon Brook Trout
Lake Trout (Mackinaw) Perch
Rainbow Trout White Suckers
Brown Trout
Q.) What are the bag and possession limits? B P
A.) At Blue Mesa: Kokanee Salmon 10
Lake Trout (Mackinaw) 8
Other Trout (In aggregate, all species counted together) 4 8
Brook Trout (Under 8 inches) 10
Perch Unlimited
White Suckers Unlimited
Q.) Are there any size limits?
A.) There are no size limits on Blue Mesa.
- Now how to get them in the cooler.
Q.) What is the best time of the year and time of day to catch Salmon?
A.) June and July are the best months to catch Salmon and they can be caught at any time of the day.
Q.) What is the best time of the year and time of day to catch Lake Trout?
A.) The highest catch #’s and largest Lake Trout are caught in May. However Lake Trout can be caught throughout the year even through the ice. The best time of day is typically before noon.
Q.) What is the best time of the year and time of day to catch other Trout?
A.) Year round and at any time of day.
Q.) What is the best time of the year and time of day to catch Perch?
A.) The best time is mid summer at any time of day.
Q.) What is the best time of the year and time of day to catch Suckers?
A.) Any time during the summer and any time of day.
Q.) What is the best depth to fish at for Salmon?
A.) The best depth for Salmon is from the surface down to 30ft and typically over the deeper parts of the lake. In late summer Salmon move down to around 100ft and are only reached with downriggers.
Q.) What is the best depth to fish at for Lake Trout?
A.) Lake Trout in the spring are feeding in 5 to 30ft around June fish are in 30 to 60ft and by July most fish are caught at over 100ft with downriggers for the rest of the summer until fall when fish begin to move back up.
Q.) What is the best depth to fish at for other Trout?
A.) All other Trout are typically caught near rocky shores in up to 30ft.
Q.) What is the best depth to fish at for Perch?
A.) To catch Perch fish deep in the spring 10 to 40ft and in shallow coves when the water warms up.
Q.) What is the best depth to fish at for Suckers?
A.) Suckers are typically only caught as bait around shallow shores but they cannot be used live.
Q.) What lures are the best for Salmon?
A.) Salmon like lures that are flashy, bright and are ½ inch to 3 inches long. Some Blue Mesa favorites include Uncle Joes, Pink Jewels, Needlefish and Tasmanian Devils.
Q.) What lures are the best for Lake Trout?
A.) Lake Trout are caught on jigs tipped with sucker meat, jointed flatfish and large rapalas that sport silvers, whites and greens. A favorite is the speckled frog pattern.
Q.) What lures are the best for other Trout?
A.) Lures used to catch Salmon and Lake Trout will also catch other Trout but should be fishing closer to shore. Worms and Power Bait are also very effective baits used to catch Trout.
Q.) What lures are the best for Perch?
A.) Perch are typically caught using small jigs of any color and tipped with a piece of worm.
Q.) What lures are the best for Suckers?
A.) The quickest and cheapest way to catch a sucker is with a piece of bread on a hook off the shore and on the bottom. Worms will work to.
Q.) What’s the biggest mistake made when fishing?
A.) Using a stringer, not only do fish spoil in the warm surface water but many people forget that their stringer of fish is hanging over the side of their boat when they are cruising for the dock and show up with no fish. The best way to keep your fish after you catch them is in a cooler with ice.
- Here are some of the most asked questions about the Marinas.
Q.) When are the Marinas open?
A.) Elk Creek Marina opens by May 1st and Lake Fork Marina opens by May 15th. Early and late season hours are 8 to 5 mid summer hours are 7 to 7.
Q.) What kind of boats do the Marinas rent?
A.) Elk Creek rents 20ft and 25ft pontoons, fish and cruise boats and 14ft and 16ft aluminum fishing boats. Lake Fork rents everything but the 25ft pontoons.
Q.) What sized slips do the Marinas have?
A.) Elk Creek has 16, 20 and 30 foot slips. Lake Fork has 20 and 30ft slips.
Q.) Do the slips have hook ups?
A.) Only Elk Creek has hook ups of power and water.
Q.) Do the Marinas sell fishing licenses?
A.) Yes, both Marinas sell fishing and even hunting licenses.
Q.) What kind of gas do the Marinas sell?
A.) Both Marinas sell mid grade unmixed straight gas. We sell 2-stroke oil and can mix it for you if you would like.
Q.) Do the Marinas sell groceries?
A.) Yes, both Marinas sell a variety of groceries, snacks, drinks including beer and ice.
Q.) Do the Marinas take Credit Cards?
A.) Both Marinas take all major credit cards.
- These are the most frequently asked questions about the area.
Q.) How big is Blue Mesa?
A.) Blue Mesa is Colorado’s largest lake, when full it is about 19 miles long with four arms ranging from one to three miles and has 96 miles of shoreline.
Q.) What is the deepest point?
A.) The deepest point in Blue Mesa when it is full is 320ft.
Q.) Can you swim in Blue Mesa?
A.) Yes, the best time is between July and September.
Q.) Can you do water sports on Blue Mesa?
A.) Yes just wear a wet suit, however Jet Skis are not prohibited and the Park Service is still trying to decide if they will let them back on or not.
Q.) Can I camp on the lake?
A.) To camp on the lake you must be at least ½ a mile from any man made structure. The Park Service has put out a map with these areas which is available that their office or at the Marinas. There are three very nice camp grounds on the lake that can only be accessed by boat and offer sites and pit toilets; they are Lake Fork Arm, West Elk Creek and Cebolla Creek. All other camping is in designated sites only there are many drive up camp grounds around the lake like, Stevens Creek, Elk Creek Marina, Dry Creek, Lake Fork Marina, Ponderosa and Soap Creek. Both Marina camp grounds have showers.
Q.) Are there any cabins to stay in around Blue Mesa?
A.) Cabins are available at Western Horizon Resorts Blue Mesa Village and Lake Fork Resort.
Q.) What State record fish have come out of Blue Mesa?
A.) There have been many Lake Trout records from Blue Mesa and the current one is 46lb 14.6oz caught in 2003. Blue Mesa also holds the record for the largest Kokanee Salmon snagged weighing 7lb 5oz caught in 2002.
- Let’s cover the most frequently asked equipment question.
Q.) My favorite and seriously the most asked equipment question is what does this do?
A.) There are only two ways to answer this, well sir that does….. or well sir I’m not sure lets find out.
- Since this only works in person let’s try some more answerable equipment questions.
Q.) What is a Downrigger?
A.) A Downrigger is used to fish deep water by attaching your fishing line to a large lead ball and lowering it with a cable. Not only can you fish hundreds of feet deep, you can also fish at the exact depth you want.
Q.) How much does a Downrigger ball weight?
A.) 4 to 12 lbs, the best size to use is 8 to 10 lbs.
Q.) What is lead core line?
A.) Lead Core Line is a weighted trolling line that sinks do to the lead in the line. It changes colors every 30ft and for every 30ft you put in the water it will sink your lure about 5ft. It is mainly used for Salmon.
Q.) What pound test lead core should I use?
A.) Most people use 18lb lead core.
Q.) What are cow bells?
A.) A nick name for trolling flashers used for Salmon.
Q.) What is pop gear?
A.) A nick name for trolling flashers used for Salmon.
Q.) Do I need a net?
A.) Yes, most fish cannot be landed without a net.
Q.) What is the best kind of net to use?
A.) The best kind of net is a telescoping rubber net. It allows you to reach fish farther from the boat and the rubber netting doesn’t injure the fish or tangle with the hook.
Reservations
Reserve your boat slip, rental, or guided fishing trip by calling 1-877-BLU-MESA
Our Hosts
Opening Dates
Elk Creek Marina will open on or before May 1. Lake Fork Marina opens May 15. Pappy's will open Mothers Day
Jobs
We are always looking for good employees. Mechanical and boating experience a plus. RV sites available for Work Campers. Call Jim on his cell phone at 360-820-5727
Getting There
Elk Creek Marina is located on US Highway 50, about 15 miles west of Gunnison, CO.
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