Arrow Lake Fishing near Telluride, Colorado

• Overview

  Arrow Lake is set in San Juan County, Colorado. Elevation runs to 12,657 feet. The whole thing is a single swim; walk it in a minute. It is one of the smaller waters we list in San Juan County. The nearest town is Telluride, 20 miles away. Beyond it, Mountain Village at 21 miles and Ouray at 23 miles. No boundary runs near, so the county rules hold throughout.

• Where to Fish on Arrow Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Open biodiversity records for San Juan County list black-spotted cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and brook trout. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. Arrow Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 52°F and January near 14°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late May. The water is typically free of ice between late May and mid November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Plan any trip to Arrow Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Vestal Lake is 0.7 miles off. Treat Arrow Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.