Fishing at Aspen Leaf Reservoir, Gunnison County, Colorado

• Overview

  Aspen Leaf Reservoir belongs to Gunnison County, Colorado. It sits in lake country bush country. Small at around 5 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Paonia, is 17 miles distant. The big place round here is Boulder, 132 miles distant. Nearby, in order: Ault Reservoir 1.1 miles, Floating Lake after 5.1 miles, Island Lake 6 miles, Hall Reservoir after 7 miles and Tomahawk Reservoir 8.5 miles. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Aspen Leaf Reservoir

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Fish documented in Gunnison County include rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout and black-spotted cutthroat trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. On Aspen Leaf Reservoir the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 60°F, while January sits near 18°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around mid April. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid April and starts locking again about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Aspen Leaf Reservoir the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. This one is mapped as intermittent, so a wasted trip is a real risk in a dry year. Nothing built is recorded close to the bank here. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Ault Reservoir, 1.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the position at Aspen Leaf Reservoir before loading the car.