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Lake: Ralph Price Reservoir (Button Rock)
Fish: Cutbow Trout

Big Beauties from (Button Rock)

Post By: ND Transplant      Posted: 11/5/2021 9:38:34 AM     Points: 14544    
This summer and fall one of my goals was to fish the entire shoreline of this body of water as I had never fished it before at all living in the area for more than a decade. Some hikes to certain places on this lake were very difficult, steep cliffs, wading through water, etc.

I spoke with many local friends and fisherman who had basically given up on this place after the 2013 flood and due to many skunks. But DANG did the hard work payoff finding some of the oldest holdover Cutbows I have ever caught. The season is closed up at this place now and by the time it opens back up next year this post will be forgotten about if anyone feels like getting their panties in a bunch about hot spotting. Tight lines y'all!
 Reply by: not too old to fish      Posted: 11/5/2021 10:05:01 AM     Points: 8440
Congrats on some nice looking fish, they are very healthy.
 Reply by: Santiago84      Posted: 11/5/2021 10:28:37 AM     Points: 7003
I was talking to a guy in McGukins a while back that told me the first rule of fishing Button Rock is that you do not talk about fishing Button Rock. Honestly I never would have known about it if it wasn’t for this website and it has become my favorite place to fish. There are some amazing fish in there but they never come easy. There are times when a two fish day at that place can be considered a good day.
 Reply by: BroncFan      Posted: 11/5/2021 10:31:36 AM     Points: 459
Cool update, I had looked at Button Rock a while back and forgot why I had decided not to pursue it. After looking into it again I was reminded that a permit is required from the city of Longmont. Thought it would be worth mentioning on this thread..... Glad you had success and looks like you picked a beautiful day. Thanks for the report.
 Reply by: ND Transplant      Posted: 11/5/2021 11:31:16 AM     Points: 14544
@Santiago84 - yes! That was typical of most of my days up there was 2-3 fish but dang the quality of them was worth it. I did speak with the Ranger in July and he said they put in 80,000 fingerlings this year so in a few years I think it'll be a quantity fishery as well as quality.
 Reply by: Team CO.F.F.      Posted: 11/5/2021 12:35:31 PM     Points: 315
Good stuff man! Way to put in the work for some beauties🎣😀
 Reply by: spicyhombre      Posted: 11/5/2021 12:43:20 PM     Points: 6461
Wouldn't worry about hot spotting unless people illegally fish here since they limit the number of permits issued.

FEES:
There is no fee for parking or walking into Button Rock Preserve. Ralph Price Reservoir does require a special fishing permit from the City of Longmont. There are 600 annual permits available and 100 day passes available per year. Annual: $20.00 Longmont/Lyons water utility customer $30.00 non-Longmont/Lyons water utility customer. Daily permits are $10.
 Reply by: Troutbisquits      Posted: 11/6/2021 9:07:30 AM     Points: 2627
ND Transplant I have been getting the permit for about 10 years now. I have caught some amazing fish out of there. I will say that before the flood the fishing was better. But in recent years it has picked up again. One thing you did not mention that will deter alot of people is the two mile hike just to get to the water. Sure it is an easy hike, but not everyone wants to/ or is capable of such a hike.

It has been a few years since I caught a Splake out of there, but my PB splake at 20" came from there and I have caught a couple 20" plus browns and two 24" cutbows out of there. Occasionally I catch the odd walleye as well.
 Reply by: randog      Posted: 11/8/2021 9:09:58 AM     Points: 1783
I like to hike in from the back side, then get picked up at the parking lot. Man the fish are monsters. 😉
 Reply by: i2fly      Posted: 11/9/2021 9:42:57 AM     Points: 2323
Never fished this lake. I’ve known about it for years. I may have to in vest the effort to get there. I’m a catch an release guy. The fish are safe. It looks like some research is necessary to be successful.

I2
Operation Game Thief
Call to report illegal fishing/hunting:
1-877-265-6648
(1-877-COLO-OGT)
or:
Email CPW
 
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