Turquoise Lake, Leadville Colorado - Turquoise Lake Reservoir is located 4 miles west of Leadville. At almost 10,000 feet, the weather can vary tremendously. This is a popular destination for campers in the summer and provides good fishing for trout.
Turquoise Reservoir is a popular destination for many campers in Colorado. It provides picturesque views and provides fine fishing for rainbows, browns and lakers. If visiting Turquoise, bring your boat and fish the depths for lakers. Turquoise Reservoir is in a high alpine setting with an abundance of hiking and biking trails available. Numerous high mountain lakes are set in the wilderness areas around the lake and can provide a great day hike adventure. The amenities of nearby Leadville provide a great retreat for the campers looking to enjoy some local flavor. The area has plenty of mining history that can be experienced through the many tours offered.
2010 CDOW Forecast:
Turquoise Reservoir supports an abundant lake trout population. Although they are small, with most under 20 inches, they offer the opportunity for anglers to catch an often hard-to-catch species. Most shore anglers fish from the south and east shorelines and find good action for mackinaw in June before fish move to deeper water. Using downriggers from a boat is the key to catching lake trout as the summer progresses. The bag limit for lake trout is two fish with no size restrictions.
Catchable-sized (10 inch) trout stocking resumed in 2007 and will continue in the future. Rainbow and Snake River cutthroat trout are being stocked from the Leadville National Fish Hatchery from June through early Sept. These fish should dramatically improve fishing at Turquoise Reservoir. Typical baits, flies, and lures for trout should be used. An occasional large brown trout is landed at Turquoise.
Abundant facilities (e.g. numerous campgrounds, two concrete boat ramps) and scenic vistas make this one of the most enjoyable places to fish in the State. Water level should be normal in 20010 and fishing is predicted to be good. A watercraft inspection program was initiated at this reservoir in 2009 and will be expanded in 2010. Trailered boat launching will be allowed seven days per week from 6am to 9pm from May 28 through Sept 19 at the Matchless boat ramp only. Both ramps will be closed at night.
Getting there: From I-25 take CO 91 to Leadville. In Leadville go west on Turquise Lake Road for 4 1/2 miles to the lake. Fees: There is a daily fee to use the lake. Daily - $5.00 Annual - $40
Camping - $15.00 Boating: All Boats Allowed. Boat inspections begin May 31at the Matchless boat ramp from 6 a.m. - dark, 7 days a week. The Tabor boat ramp will be closed to trailered watercraft all season. Both ramps will be closed at night. Overnight beaching of watercrafts is prohibited.
Ice Fishing: Ice fishing is allowed. Potential difficult winter access.
7/27/2010 - Turquoise Lake - The lake is stocked on a regular basis during the summer with catchable size rainbows and cutthroat trout. The south and east shorelines usually offer good fishing for Mackinaw. The limit for mackinaw is two out of the total four fish limit, with no size restriction. Boat inspections began in May at the Matchless ramp from 6 a.m. to dark daily. Water level is up from a spring low point making the boat ramp serviceable to all size boats. With continued stocking, fishing has been good since ice off and still is (June 26), with lots of limits taken. Shore fishing spots at the inlet and north of both sides of the dam are good. Catching of catchable trout is slowing since July 1st, but sporadic spurts of success still fill lots of limits.
Conditions History
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RV site for up to 32 feet. Nice wooded sites down near the water. Use the same entrance for Baby Doe and Father Dyer campgrounds.
Molly Brown# of Sites: 49 Fees: $15
Wooded campsites with Loops A and B. Loops B is closer to the water.
Silver Dollar# of Sites: 45 Fees: $15
RV sites up to 22 feet. Located near the Matchless boat ramp.
May Queen# of Sites: 27 Fees: $15
RV units up to 32 feet. Nice location at the western shoreline, eight miles around the lake from the entrance. There is not a boat ramp near this location so if you are bringing a boat you may want to use a closer campground. The inlet is next to the campground. 23 pull though sites and 4 tent sites.
Father Dyer# of Sites: 25 Fees: n/a
RV sites up to 32 feet. Wooded campsites on a hill overlooking the water. Trail available down to the water.
Tabor# of Sites: 20 Fees: $15
RV sites up to 37 feet. Sites are located next to a large paved parking lot. Not much seclusion in the campground. Located directly adjacent to the Tabor boat ramp.
Belle of Colorado# of Sites: 19 Fees: $15
Tent camping only. Nice wooded sites near the shoreline.
