Grand Lake, Granby Colorado - Grand Lake is considered to be one of the best lake trout fisheries in the state. Species in Grand Lake: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Kokanee, Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout, Splake
At 265 feet deep Grand Lake is the deepest natural lake in Colorado. It is widely considered one of the best lake trout lakes in the state with fish weighing more than 20 pounds. As the ice clears and the water warms in the spring, rainbow fishing can be best here. Browns and kokanee are also present in Grand Lake and provide good fall fishing. Located in the town of Grand Lake and just on the west side of Rocky Mountain National Park, there is something for everyone in this area. Grand Lake along with the other Colorado River headwaters lakes is a great area to spend a weekend.
Getting there: From Denver, take I-70 west to exit 232 (US 40). North on US 40 through to the town of Granby. On the west side of Granby, turn north at junction for US 34 north. Fees: Arapahoe Nat. Forest Fee includes access to Grand, Shadow Mtn and Granby. $5 per day per vehicle. $2 per day for walk-in access $10 for 3 day pass $15 for 7 day pass $30 for annual pass. Boating: All Boats Allowed. All boats are allowed. Forest Service Launch is located on Shadow Mtn Lake. There is one ramp on Grand Lake.
Boat inspections begin May 15 at the Grand Lake public boat ramp from 6 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days a week. Ramps will be open to nighttime use. Boaters are expected to follow the Clean, Drain and Dry protocol when inspectors are not present and must have their vessel inspected at a state-certified site before launching at a new location. Inspection hours will decrease as daylight and recreational use diminish in late summer and fall.
9/1/2010 - Grand Lake - Nights are becoming colder and mornings are brisk. Fish activity will be picking up. This lake is over 270' deep. It can be difficult, but very rewarding to learn to fish this lake. Very large lake trout, nice rainbows, browns, and kokanee salmon are available. Trolling, jigging, bait, lure, and fly fishing are all productive ways of catching these fish. Belly boats are useful. Two prime bank fishing areas are the mouth of the channel and around the West Portal. From Oct. 1st-June30th, all lakers 26-36 inches long must be released immediately. Rapalas, Mepps, Panther Martins, and Blue Fox spinners are only some of the lures used. Jigging with sucker meat is common and productive. 8/29/2010
Conditions History
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Camping available at Shadow Mountain and Lake Granby.
Boat Ramps
Grand Lake Boat Ramp
Public boat ramp on western shore. Stay right in parking area or you will wind around to the picnic area just to the south. Ample turnaround space is available down by the ramp.
