Flat Tops Wilderness

You can't hit the Flat Tops without fishing Trappers Lake and the White River. Always a good time.

I don't know exactly where but that north fork of the white river is loaded with cutts, bows and brookies from what i've seen in some blogs. road goes alongside it

I have not been up there yet this year, but the higher lakes up on top are probably open but there will likely be lots of snow left back in the trees. The White River, including the North Fork will still be running bank full, but Trappers lake and Little Trappers will most likely be accessible. There is also Lake Avery down near Buford which can be very good fishing even from the shore..

i would go to yampa . then from there go up to crosho lake . it is by far the prettyest lake iv ever seen in colo . great hiking trails and at the lake you will catch cutthroats and artic grayling.you will see elk deer maybe a bear, and many other cool things. give it a try you will be very happy. gl and have fun

o from meeker find the seenic by way it gos to yampa, you will pass many other great lakes to fly fish at , but be sure to find crosho

Mirror Lake and Paradise Creek

My grandparents lived in Yampa so I spent a lot of time as a kid hunting and fishing with my Grandpa up there. Fishing can change from year to year, but one piece of advice is to make sure you can wade. A lot of the really good lakes are heavily forested (or were, not sure about recent beetle kill) and you won't have much backcast room. That said you often don't need it as the feeding fish cruise the shorelines. I second Crosho. It's beautiful. However the road is not in the greatest shape as of last year, you want a vehicle with some clearance. It's not necessary to have a four wheeling monster to get up there, but not ideal for trying in a sedan either. Not as experienced from the Meeker side, but the fishing is just as good on that side from what I hear.

Since we've had extra moisture this year, be prepared for extra mosquitos, particularly in the flat tops, RMNP, IPWA and particularly on the Grand Mesa. It's gonna be a bad bug year. All the fishing recommendations above are legit solid. Have fun and be safe with the youngster!

I stayed at trappers lake lodge this past weekend. Please note, the road was closed from the trappers lake turn off headed toward Yampa. You said you are staying in Meeker which means your in good shape but some of the lakes being mentioned would require that road being opened. I agree with the comment about steep and brushy shorelines specifically at Trappers. The hiking trails around Trappers were mostly exposed but there were numerous drifted areas that are a few weeks away from being clear. When you stay in Meeker, check out the community museum. We stumbled on it for a potty break and it was surprisingly cool. The old timer working in there loaded us up with about 20 Werthers originals, it was a riot. There is a gorgeous stretch of stream south of Buford. Take Hwy 10 all the way to its end at Upper South Fork Campgrgound and hike up the South fork of the White River. I have only ever hunted this area but have always told myself i need to go back to fish it. If you do please let us know how you do. And yes, you would be missing out to not at least make it to trappers to see what i think is one of the most beautiful lakes in the state. Trappers lake lodge has a pretty nice little lodge where you can grab a burger. Last thought, i would recommend searching "Outdoor trail maps flat tops wilderness topographical hiking map" its an orange map i picked up at Jax. It's fantastic and will serve you well.

Jrouse,
Did you make it up? How was it?