Adams Lake in Alamosa County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Alamosa County in Colorado is where Adams Lake sits. It stands 7,526 feet above sea level. Roughly 43 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. With about 1.2 miles of edge, you can try several depths in one session. The town to know is Alamosa, 4.8 miles out. Alamosa East is 5.3 miles and Monte Vista 20 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Adams Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Look for where the old bank line still shows under the surface. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Alamosa County records list white sucker, common carp and yellow perch among the fish reported. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Anyone new to Adams Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 17°F to 63°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. After late March the shallows warm and the fish move up. Break-up near late March, freeze-up near late November: that is the shape of an average year. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. It sets the rhythm of the year at Adams Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Tobin Creek Dam at 18 miles is the sensible second choice. Signs at Adams Lake carry more weight than any list.