by Randy Augsburger

Created on: March 12, 2008   Last Updated: September 17, 2008

For a fishing experience that will reward you with adventure, scenery and a chance at a full creel, check out the Gunnison country. From Blue Mesa reservoir Colorado's largest body of water to tiny streams full of Brook trout the Gunnison country has a fishing experience that is right for anyone. Located on Colorado's western slope 200 miles southwest of Denver, the Gunnison country boasts a land area the size of Rhode Island with less than 20,000 people. The Gunnison river is formed at Almont, where the East and the Taylor rivers merge. It then runs southwest to Grand Junction where it joins the Colorado river.

There are three main areas of trout fishing in the Gunnison country.

First you have fishing near Blue Mesa reservoir. The obvious place to start is the reservoir itself, it is more than 20 miles long and hosts Lake, Brown, Rainbow, and Brook trout. It also contains Perch, Kokanee salmon and some Northern pike. Down stream is Morrow point reservoir and then Crystal reservoir these two require some hiking to reach so you know fishing pressure is light. Downstream in the Black Canyon is Gold Medal fishing at its finest. The state record Rainbow trout came out of Morrow point reservoir. The streams that run into Blue Mesa such as East Elk creek and Red creek offer excellent Brook trout fishing for miles upstream. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison river running north out of Lake San Cristobal in Lake City is excellent from where it enters the canyon south of Powderhorn to where it flows into Blue Mesa.

Next to the northeast of Gunnison is Taylor Park home of Taylor reservoir it contains the same mix of fish as Blue Mesa. The Taylor river above and below the dam is excellent fishing. Mirror lake located above the town of Tincup will satisfy your hunger for alpine lake fishing. Texas creek which empties into Taylor reservoir is full of fish and leads up stream along a rough and rocky road to Texas lakes. These lakes are scattered near the end of the road and well worth the trip.

If you follow Rocky Brook Trail to the west, you can catch lots of Brookies in the small stream it follows, or go on to Spring Creek reservoir and load up on stocked rainbows and Browns. If you have a topo map of the area look above and west of the star trail and you will find Horse Thief lake, it's well worth the hike if you can find it. If you are looking for remote Cutthroat trout get out your map and look for American Flag mountain just north of Spring Creek reservoir. Just East of the

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