Annie Lake in Gunnison County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Gunnison County entry here is Annie Lake, in Colorado. Elevation runs to 11,650 feet. A pocket of water where every cast reaches cover. On size it sits at the modest end of our Gunnison County list. The closest town, Buena Vista, is 23 miles away. Colorado Springs sits 92 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Annie Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Reported across Gunnison County: rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. On Annie Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 51°F and January reads 12°F. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late May. Ice usually gives way near late May, and forms again about early November. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Plan any trip to Annie Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Fairview Lake is 0.9 miles off. Treat access at Annie Lake as something to verify.