Lake Gibson is a nice place to hook up with both brookies and cutts. Photo M. Miller
Northeast Colorado has some of the best high-country fly fishing in the state bar none. From Rocky Mountain National Park (RMNP) to the border of Wyoming there are enough remote high country lakes to keep even the most discerning angler finding new spots to fish for years. Below you will find several lakes and streams that take you away from the major rivers that most choose to fish in Colorado. Some of these places are fairly easy to get to and some require day to overnight stays, but with so much to fish you are sure to find something to your liking.
Arapahoe Lakes Though these lakes do require a strenuous hike, the fishing that can be found at the end of the trail can be absolutely outstanding with the chance to catch both cutthroat and golden trout. Another added bonus to fishing lakes in this area is that you get the chance to fish South Boulder Creek for brook, rainbow and cutthroat. There are three lakes that are included in the Arapahoe Lakes the East (9.8 acres, 49 ft. max depth), Middle (4 acres, 15 ft. max depth) and West (2.5 16 ft. max depth). These lakes all sit just below the Continental Divide and you get beautiful views of the valley as you climb up towards the lakes, and due to it's elevation this is a hike that should be started early in the morning with an intended return around 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m., though mother nature can change plans at a moments notice. This hike is approximately 3 miles one way with an elevation gain of 1800 ft. Recommended flies for these lakes are fairly standard of what you would use in any high mountain lake in this area, small hare's ear nymphs, Parachute Adams, Adams, Griffith's Gnats, terrestrials including beetles and ants, Mosquito larvae, pupae and adults, pheasant tail nymphs and bloodworms. Due to the fact that these lakes are fairly close to both Denver and Boulder, you will see people on this hike and some will be anglers, but most tend to be fly-anglers and most are very friendly when seen at the lake or on the stream. Camping is allowed in the vicinity of the lakes and this area is filled with several more small high-county lakes that can make this an excellent area to visit for a weekend trip, but all backcountry rules and ethics should be followed. To get to the Arapahoe Lakes: from Rollinsville drive about 8 miles on Forest Service Road 149 (FSR) to the East Portal (the Moffat Railroad Tunnel). Park in parking area and take trail on north side of tunnel and hike approximately 1 mile to the Arapahoe Lakes Trail (this trail can be hard to find at first, this trail is about .5 miles after the Arapahoe and Forest Lakes drainage meets up with South Boulder Creek. You will be hiking north another 1.5 miles to Arapahoe Lakes along a creek. When the creek forks, follow the west fork 3/4 mile to the first lake (East Arapahoe Lake), simply follow the stream further west to the second two. As with any off trail hiking we highly recommend the use of a topographic map (USGS East Portal Quad).
Betty Lake Betty Lake (8.5 acres 11 ft. max depth) is for those that are looking for a great base camp to visit the three fish able lakes in this area of the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area. Loaded with cutthroat and sitting just to the east of the Continental Divide you not only have access to wonderful fishing but also to wonderful views and some solitude that is extremely close to Denver. This lake can be attained for a day hike but be prepared for a long day with a 12 mile round trip total mileage. The hike is not difficult and great for families visiting the Colorado backcountry together for a couple of days. We also recommend visiting Bob Lake and King Lake which make easy day hikes from Betty Lake. Recommended flies for Betty Lake: prince nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs, midges (black, red and green), olive or cream scuds, griffiths gnats, Adams, Para Adams, ants, beetles, streamers are all effective patterns. To get to Betty Lake from Nederland go one-half mile south on Highway 72-119 to County Rd. 109 (runs along Middle Boulder Creek). Turn west on CR 109 and go 4 miles to Eldora, continue past Eldora one mile to the Hessie Trailhead. From the trailhead hike 5 miles then southwest along trail 901 (King Lake Trail), the trail follows the South Fork of Middle Boulder Creek and is extremely fun to fish if you enjoy small mountain creeks. There will be a trail intersection just before you reach King Lake, you can either head directly north one mile to get to Betty Lake, or we recommend checking out King Lake for a rest before continuing on to Betty Lake. (USGS Nederland and East Portal Quads)
Crater Lakes Located in the South Boulder Creek drainage with several other high-country lakes, Crater Lakes offer up the opportunity to catch rainbow, cutthroat, brown and brook trout all in the same day. Though this hike can be difficult, there is no established trail to Crater Lakes, the fishing is definitely worth the trip. There are four lakes included in the Crater Lakes; East (5.5 acres 4 ft. max depth), Southeast (8.6 acres, 29 ft. max depth), Middle (14 acres, 14 ft. max depth) and West (8.5 acres, 58 ft. depth). This is one those places you will want to hike a float tube into if you can, this is the most productive way to fish these lakes. Standard high mountain lake flies are standard; hares ear, pheasant tail, eggs (after ice off), copper john, griffiths gnats, beetles, adams, parachute adams, mosquitoes and ants and flying ants. To get to Crater Lakes from Rollinsville go approximately 8 miles west on Forest Service Road (FSR) 149 to the East Portal. Park in the parking area by tunnel and take trail on north side of tunnel. Hike approximately 1.2 miles to the second major feeder creek you pass that joins South Boulder Creek. You will hike northwest up the creek about .5 mile to East Crater Lake. As with any off trail hiking we highly recommend the use of a topographic map (USGS East Portal Quad).
Clayton Lake Clayton Lake sits just below the Iceberg Lakes and can be a nice resting place when making the trek to the two lakes that sit just to the east of the Continental Divide. This lake is about 5 acres and has a maximum depth of 4 ft. which can make this lake susceptible to some winter kill. This lake has only cutthroat and the fishing is in my opinion only moderate, and I would not personally make this lake a day trip, unless you are only taking the hike for scenery. Standard high mountain flies; hares ear, pheasant tails, copper johns, adams, griffiths gnats, beetles, ants, midges and eggs occasionally. To get to Clayton Lake from Rollinsville drive 8 miles west on FSR 149 to the East Portal. Park in the parking area that is just north of the Moffat Tunnel. Take the trail on the north side of the tunnel and hike approximately two miles to the third creek you pass that joins South Boulder Creek. Turn west and hike up the creek about .5 mile to Clayton Lake. As with any off trail hiking we highly recommend the use of a topographic map (USGS East Portal Quad).
Heart Lake Heart Lake is one of the great gems in the South Boulder Creek drainage and is an excellent lake for both a day trip and an overnight stay. With a decent population of cutthroat trout Heart Lake (17 acres, 52 ft. max depth) this lake is easily fished from both shore and float tube, but with the hike to the lake being fairly lengthy, most anglers you see will be fishing from shore. Recommended flies; hares ear nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs, ant, beetles, griffiths gnats, midges, mosquitoes, adams and streamers are all effective. To get to Heart Lake from Rollinsville drive 8 miles west on FSR 149 to the East Portal. Park in the parking area that is just north of the Moffat Tunnel. Take the trail on the north side of the tunnel approximately 3.5 miles to Heart Lake, Roger's Pass is also very close to the lake and a recommended visit due to the beauty of the area.
Iceberg Lakes With a hike that involves cross country trekking with a fairly strenuous hike, Iceberg Lakes are recommended for overnight or extended backcountry camping trips. Though there are two lakes only the North Iceberg Lake (10 acres, 77 ft. max depth) has a population of cutthroat trout. These two lakes sit in the shadow of the Continental Divide and provide some excellent scenery and solitude. The hike to Iceberg Lakes takes you past Clayton Lake which allows for a nice rest stop to fish and eat lunch on the way to your destination. Recommended flies for Iceberg Lakes are; hares ear nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs, streamers, ants, beetles, griffiths gnats. To get to the Iceberg Lakes from Rollinsville drive 8 miles west on FSR 149 to the East Portal. Park in the parking area that is just north of the Moffat Tunnel. Take the trail on the north side of the tunnel and hike approximately two miles to the third creek you pass that joins South Boulder Creek. Turn west and hike up the creek about .5 mile to Clayton Lake. Walk around Clayton Lake to the inlet and follow the creek west .5 mile to the fork, follow the north fork another .5 mile to North Iceberg Lake (South Iceberg Lake is .5 mile from the fork following the creeks s. fork). As with any off trail hiking we highly recommend the use of a topographic map (USGS East Portal Quad).
James Peak Lake Due to the short hike to James Peak Lake, this can be an excellent place for the family to get out, spend some time together and do a little fishing. The lake (10 acres, 10 ft. max depth) is easily fished from shore and with a decent population of cutthroat it isn't too hard to find some fish. Recommended flies; hares ear nymphs, pheasant tail nymphs, streamers, ants, beetles, griffiths gnats. To get to James Peak Lake from Rollinsville drive 5.5 miles to the small town of Tolland. Turn left on FSR 176 and drive about 1.5 miles to the triple fork in the road. Take the right fork towards Kingston Peak and James Peak, it is about 4 miles to the James Peak trailhead. Park in the area provided and hike about a mile west to James Peak Lake.
King Lake King Lake (11.5 acres, 61 ft. max depth) is another one of those lakes that allows for quite a bit of solitude considering how close it is to the Front Range. With a large population of cutthroat and rainbow trout and several other lakes within the region that are also fishable King Lake is a can't miss. Fishing at King Lake is quite easy and the fish are fairly easy to fool. The hike is just over 5 miles so you can get there for a day trip but you must be willing to leave the trailhead very early in the morning. The hike is not very strenuous and the lake is just east of the Divide making for some nice views along the way. Recommended flies for King Lake: streamers, olive scuds, hares ears, midges black/red, gnats, Adams, mosquitoes, ants, beetles. To get to King Lake from Nederland go one half mile south on Hwy 72-119. Turn west and go four miles to Eldora, continue 1 mile on FR 109 to Hessie Trailhead. Hike 5 miles from the King Lake Trailhead west. You will start hiking along the South Fork of Middle Boulder Creek until you meet the Betty Lake trail. Follow the King Lake trail an additional 1/2 of a mile to King Lake.
Little Echo Lake Little Echo Lake provides a very unique fly-fishing experience, catching a lake trout on a dry fly. Though the lake trout in Little Echo Lake do not get very large (about 14" max) they do tend to come to the surface quite a bit in this small high mountain lake. With a decent population of rainbow and lake trout this is a must see due to the short hike and splendid fishing. It is best to fish this lake in a float tube allowing access to many rising fish that you will not be able to get to from shore. Recommended flies for Little Echo Lake; hares ear, pheasant tail nymphs, ant, flying ant, midges, adams, griffiths gnats and mosquitos are all effective. To get to Little Echo Lake from Rollinsville drive 5.5 miles to the small town of Tolland. Turn left on FSR 176 and drive about 1.5 miles to the triple fork in the road. Take the right fork towards Kingston Peak and James Peak, it is about 4 miles to the James Peak trailhead. Park in the area provided and take trail #804 about 1.5 miles west to the lake.
Roger's Pass Lake This lake is recommended for those anglers that enjoy getting out for a little sight seeing as well as some decent trout fishing. The hike to this lake is long but the views are definately worth it from Roger's Pass as you get a beautiful view into the Fraser River Valley as well as a view back down South Boulder Creek. Roger's Pass Lake (5.6 acres, 6.5 ft. max depth) is very typical of high country lakes, not too deep or too large, and most of the fish that do survive the winter cruise the entire lake looking for what sparse food can be found. Approach is everything at this lake. Recommended flies; hares ear, pheasant tail nymphs, prince nymphs, small ants, gnats, mosquitos, tiny midges are all effective flies. To get to Roger's Pass Lake from Rollinsville drive 8 miles west on FSR 149 to the East Portal. Park in the parking area that is just north of the Moffat Tunnel. Take the trail on the north side of the tunnel approximately 3.5 miles to Roger's Pass Lake, Heart Lake is also very close to the lake and a recommended visit due to the beauty of the area.
