The Gate is a great spot for picnics, camping, and fishing access to the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. Kokanee are stocked into the Lake Fork at Red Bridge to provide fall snagging opportunities for this species in the Lake Fork below Red Bridge. Public Land. Winter fishing can be a bit treacherous along certain stretches, but the year-round supply of midges keeps the fish biting. All rainbow trout must be returned immediately to the water (catch and release) and you … Fly Fishing Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, CO by The Angling Channel. There are also numerous privately-owned access and accommodation facilities in the immediate vicinity of the lake. Right after the runoff in the spring until early fall provides excellent fishing opportunities all along the Lake Fork. There are no new alerts. These are the the top flies we sell for this river. An advantage to visiting the section of Lake Fork here is that it provides easy access from many of the local resort's lakeside. It is best fished following run off through fall. The blog was created as an outlet that allows us to share information, stories and tutorials about all things related to fly fishing we can. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison River begins in high mountains in the western region of the U.S. state of Colorado, draining the northeastern part of the San Juan Mountains. Rules for the Lake Fork: The waters here are so rich with trout at Lake Fork that the CDOW has stated that it has more than double the number of 14-inch and larger trout to qualify as a Gold Medal fishery. Return to Lake Fork fishing page. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. With approximately 14 miles total of public fishing access, the Lake Fork is excellent for fishing from the banks or for wade fishing. Min/Max Elevation. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison River rushes toward Blue Mesa Reservoir just south of the Red Bridge campground 17 miles north of Lake City. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has stocked more than 24,000 fingerling and catchable trout in the Lake Fork in … A brief introduction to Lake Fork Of The Gunnison Riv With approximately 14 miles total of public fishing access, the Lake Fork is excellent for fishing from the banks or for wade fishing. at Gateview. Check to see what their "offseason" time of year is, and book accordingly. Your email address will not be published. If you are a fan of rough living and the great outdoors, there are numerous campgrounds in and around Lake Fork that provide easy access to the river as well. The lake views were gorgeous, access to and from the area was easy and it was a perfect location to explore Montrose, The Grand Mesa, etc to the west and north as well as Gunnison and Crested Butte to the east! Lake Fork of Gunnison Fishing Information Main Section - near Gunnison, CO A longer river than it looks, there is ample access in both the lower sections and the upper sections. The Lake Fork Hunt & Fish Club controls a great deal of exceptional hunting on both private and public lands. Respect Private Property. The Lake Fork, which is located south of Gunnison along Highway 149 near Lake City, is the least known of the Gunnison River’s major tributaries. Gunnison River. 2016 CPW: The Lake Fork of the Gunnison River provides good to excellent opportunities for primarily stocked rainbow trout and wild brown trout. Colorado Hunting Maps App . News. This campground is conveniently located on the Silver Thread National Scenic Byway, about 16 miles north of Lake City. Parking can be found at the Lake Fork boat ramp just off CO-92 by the dam. East Portal . You have access to over 1,376.69± deeded acres of strategically located ranch land, including one of the West’s finest trout fisheries. N/A. Lake Fork of the Gunnison flows from Lake City, CO in the San Juan mountains to the Gunnison River at Blue Mesa Reservoir. Best of all, if you aren't finding any luck on Lake Fork (which is unlikely but possible), there are numerous other places along the Gunnison River that are every bit as promising if you don't mind a bit of a hike or a short drive. Similarly, there are many RV parks, regular hotels and motels, and even a lakeside resort nearby that offer varying levels of luxury and comfort depending on your budget. The rivers source is Sloan Lake above the largest natural lake in Colorado, Lake San Cristobal above Lake City. As for what rod to bring, a 9-foot, 5-wt is pretty standard. Copyright 2020 DIY Fly Fishing, all rights reserved. Lake Fork of the Gunnison. Check out our interactive map of over 30,000 of the best places to fly fish in the US. As others have mentioned - very little cellular service here. Lake Fork of the Gunnison flows from Lake City, CO in the San Juan mountains to the Gunnison River at Blue Mesa Reservoir. The river has many long runs and deep pools, and aquatic insects are to be found just about everywhere. Big Thompson River – Estes Lake Tailwater, Yampa River – Stagecoach Tailwater Section. Cancel … will meet up with the Lake Fork. In this area, there is easy access to the Lake Fork and a public campground. When the line was abandoned, timbers from the bridge were removed and used to build a school in Gunnison. Colorado Parks & Wildlife fishing rules are as follows:(I) High Bridge Gulch downriver to BLM boundary (below Gate Campground) and Cherry Creek to upper Red Bridge CG boundary: artificial flies/lures only, bag and possession for Browns is 2, minimum 16", all rainbows catch-and-release(J) BLM boundary below Gate Campground to Cherry Creek: Bag and possession for trout is 2(K) Argenta Falls downstream to Blue Mesa Reservation: Kokanee Salmon snagging permitted Sep. 1 to Dec. 31. Lake Fork Arm. The Gate Campground has 8 campsites, two vault restrooms, and a … Kokanee migrate into the Lake Fork from Blue Mesa Reservoir in late fall with the snagging season kicking off on September 1st. Explore the NEW USGS National Water Dashboard; to access real-time data from over 13,500 stations nationwide. The Lake Fork Hunt & Fish Club controls a great deal of exceptional hunting on both private and public lands. Much of the Lake Fork is managed as a quality trout fishery with flies and lures regulations in place on most river segments between High Bridge Gulch and the Red Bridge Campground. After passing through Lake San Cristobal, one of the larger natural lakes of Colorado, it is joined at Lake City by Henson Creek, and from there flows north. It is best fished following run off through fall. While not certified as a Gold Medal Water, the CDOW states that this river contains more than double the number of 14 plus inch fish required to meet Gold Medal standards. The project partners and the family will collaborate with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to formalize permanent public access for fly-fishing along 0.62 miles of the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River that flows through the property. Take Hwy 149 southwest from Gunnison. Lake Fork also tends to stay pretty quiet throughout the season due to the technical difficulty of fishing the richer stretches of its waters. You have access to over 1,376.69± deeded acres of strategically located ranch land, including one of the West’s finest trout fisheries. The club hosts over 3 miles of the world-famous Lake Fork of the Gunnison River as well as 12 fully stocked and active trout lakes. We hope that you enjoy reading our blog posts as much as we enjoy sharing them. Lake Fork of the Gunnison River - There is public fishing access from about 14 miles north to 2.5 miles south of Lake City along Highway 149. Numerous access points are available thanks to Curecanti National Recreation Area. The river is good fishing when the flows are right and if you spend your hours on this river and find some of the less pressured water, you can find some sizeable fish. Access can be difficult in stretches but the scenery is spectacular. Lake Fork Public Access Facilities. Only non-motorized boats are allowed. Use the hatch chart above to know what flies you will want to have in your fly box during your adventure on the river and then select the flies here 30 days before your trip to get them at a great price. Lake Fork of the Gunnison, Colorado fishing report, rainbow trout fly fishing forecast, fishing season updates, fly shop and fishing guides, and fly-fishing weather. USGS 09124500 LAKE FORK AT GATEVIEW, CO. Get directions to access points, boat ramps, and real-time USGS stream flow data. It's also worth looking into local vacation rentals, as these can yield unexpected bargains regardless of the season as well. Further down US 50 are the Dillon Pinnacles and Lake Fork Visitor Center areas that allow you to explore the drainages that run into Lower Blue Mesa. Located in Western Colorado near the town of Gunnison, Colorado’s largest body of water is a must-see destination. GUNNISON RIVER NEAR GUNNISON, CO.. USGS. Access to the river for Lake Fork is usually accomplished via the campground roads from the highway just outside of Gunnison. Runs and Riffles was started in February of 2019 as an extension of one person's fly fishing hobby. To put-in, drive up 4 RD toward Burrows Park and Cinnamon Pass. Flights into Denver can be connected to the Gunnison/Crested Butte Regional Airport in Gunnison, so getting to Lake Fork generally isn't all that difficult or expensive. Lake Fork Gunnison River or Lake Fork is a 64.7-mile-long (104.1 km) tributary of the Gunnison River in Colorado. Visit our DIY Guide to the Best Fly Fishing in Colorado. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison dumps into Blue Mesa just above the dam. Gunnison Gorge of … Lake Fork flows through Lake San Cristobal and Lake City before a confluence with the Gunnison River in Blue Mesa Reservoir. Reservations are required. We'd love to hear from you! The railroad bed and trestle of a bridge owned by the Denver and Rio Grande Railroad that once spanned the canyon still remain at this site. Watch for private property as you go, and always ask permission from property owners if you happen on private land or a posted sign in your travels. Live Water Enjoy access to one of the West’s premier private fishing and hunting clubs! Anglers in search of trophy rainbows, cutthroats, and browns in large numbers will not be disappointed should they decide to visit the Lake Fork of the Gunnison River. View the DIY Fly Fishing Web Map to get turn-by-turn directions to the access points shown on the map above. Where to Fish: Gunnison Region Move your mouse over the map to find fishing areas in the Gunnison area, or select from list Select a fishing area East River Taylor River Cochetopa Creek Lake Fork of the Gunn Gunnison River- upper Gunnison River- lower Pinos Creek Here you will find numerous fast riffles and slower sections of pocket water to ply your skills regardless of what style of fly fishing you prefer. The Colorado Division of Wildlife has stocked more than 24,000 fingerling and catchable trout in the Lake Fork in the last few years. Lake Fork Campground NPS in Gunnison is rated 8.0 of 10 at Campground Reviews. It's hard to pick a wrong spot to fish along Lake Fork or the rest of the Gunnison for that matter. All types of camping from tents to large RVs can be accommodated at Lake Fork. This is just a dirt road down to the water, and some clearance may be required. Neversink and Beaver Creek are popular access points at the top of the lake where the Gunnison flows in. Unit Lake Fork Gunnison SWA for the majority of game species covers approximately 42 acres,. Full News; Click to hide state-specific text * IMPORTANT: Next Generation Station Page. Lake Fork Campground NPS in Gunnison, Colorado: 1 reviews, 2 photos, & 0 tips from fellow RVers. Download today, and you can record, track, and navigate for free. Access can be difficult in stretches but the scenery is spectacular. Lake Fork Gunnison 02. Something of a hidden treasure along the Upper Gunnison, the Lake Fork provides drainage during runoff and heavy rains for the North East San Juan Mountain range. The campground is paved except for the tent walk-in sites. We had 4 bars of Verizon 3G so voice was fine but data throughput was dismal at best. The Lake Fork of the Gunnison, which eventually flows into Blue Mesa Reservoir, rises on the northern slopes of the 14,000-foot San Juan Mountains, starting as small feeder creeks and growing rapidly before dumping into Lake San Cristobal near the small community of Lake City. This comparatively uncrowded trout stream is surrounded by stunning scenery, has big fish potential, and angles particularly well in the springtime. This river contains a high density population of trout with the opportunity to catch decent size fish as well. Lake Fork Campground is located 27 miles west of Gunnison on CO Highway 92 near the intersection with U.S. Highway 50 on the shore of Blue Mesa Reservoir. There are also many campgrounds, RV parks, and cabins you can rent nearby that make fishing the Lake Fork near Blue Mesa Reservoir more of a vacation and less of a wilderness hiking and fishing excursion. In Colorado, a group of river rafters float the Lake Fork of the Gunnison in defiance of a landowner who has filed suit to stop them, part of a statewide struggle over access and ownership of rivers. PROVISIONAL DATA SUBJECT TO REVISION. The mayfly hatch in the springtime is your best bet for early prime season fishing, and caddis flies are the best summer hatch by far. Add to My Account. You can also hike from San Cristobal Lake Inlet as well if you don't mind making your way over a little rough country. Day two found us south of Gunnison on Lake Fork of the Gunnison River, running between Lake City, CO and Blue Mesa Reservoir. Colorado Public Access Properties Lake Fork Gunnison SWA. Real Time Flow. Colorado Lake Fork Gunnison SWA - Unit Overview. Not only is it one of the most beautiful stretches of mountain river for fly fishing in all of Colorado, but it also boasts some of the most productive Gold Medal waters in the west. Day 2: Lake Fork of the Gunnison and Cebolla Creek. Floaters Guide to Colorado, D. Wheat Rapid Descriptions. The Sabine River Authority (903) 878-2262 operates four public boat ramps and a free day use area. Redcloud Getaway - $313 avg/night - Lake City - Amenities include: Internet, Pets Welcome, TV, Satellite or cable, Parking, Heater Bedrooms: 4 Sleeps: 8 Pet friendly Minimum stay from 3 night(s) Bookable directly online - Book vacation rental 7323473 with Vrbo. We chose an area near an avalanche slide several miles upstream. 42 acres. Alerts. Comments. The best time to target migrating kokanee is generally late September. This river contains a high density population of trout with the opportunity to catch decent size fish as well. The Gunnison River offers several public access points (see map above) for wading, though fishing from drift boats when the waters are high is preferable. A lot of anglers find some of the best fishing near Cherry Creek or downriver over Argenta Falls. High Bridge . Recommended fly patterns for Lake Fork include:- Micro Egg (pink/org #18)- RS2 (grey #20)- TH Zebra Midge (black #20)- TH Zebra Midge (cream #20)- Tunghead Soft Hackle Pheasant Tail (PT #16)- Tunghead Hare's Ear Flashback (HE #16)- Globug Egg (orange #16)- San Juan Worm (brown #14)- Parachute Adams (gray #18)- Two Bit Hooker (red #14). Please feel free to drop us a note through the "Contact R&R" menu option at the top of the page. Lots of opportunity for bank fishing, but you may want to pack some hip waders for the more extensive sections. Lake City Town Run Edit this River; Difficulty: III: Length: 3.6 Miles: Gauge: LAKE FORK AT GATEVIEW, CO. Flow Range: 300 - 2000 CFS Flow Rate as of: 30 minutes ago 264 [CFS] Reach Info Last Updated: 08/06/2013 2:46 pm: River Description. 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