Blue Mesa Reservoir

Blue Mesa Reservoir near Gunnison is Colorado's largest body of water — a 9,000-acre high-altitude reservoir on the Gunnison River that has developed into one of the finest Kokanee Salmon fisheries in the Western United States. Created by Blue Mesa Dam in 1966, the reservoir has benefited from decades of Colorado Parks and Wildlife stocking programs that have produced self-sustaining Kokanee populations of exceptional size and abundance. The Kokanee at Blue Mesa are the lake's signature fish — landlocked sockeye salmon averaging 14–18 inches that school in massive numbers throughout the summer, provide spectacular sport on small bright flies and hardware, and stage a dramatic spawning run into the Gunnison River's tributaries each September and October. The fall Kokanee run turns the inlet streams pink-red with spawning fish and provides some of the most visually spectacular fishing events in Colorado. Lake Trout grow to exceptional size in Blue Mesa's deep water — specimens over 30 pounds are caught annually, and the Colorado state record lake trout (50.8 pounds) was taken here. While not conventional fly fishing targets, large lake trout can be encountered on deep sinking lines in the transition zones between deep and shallow water during fall turnover. Brown Trout from the Taylor River and Gunnison River tributaries supplement the stillwater fishery, with large browns moving into the reservoir's shallower arms in fall. These fish can average 16–22 inches and provide excellent fly fishing opportunities in the Cebolla Creek and Los Pinos River arms.