Bald Mountain Reservoir near Paonia: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Montrose County end of Colorado holds Bald Mountain Reservoir. The setting is pine and birch on every side. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The nearest town is Paonia, 18 miles away. The big place round here is Colorado Springs, 140 miles distant. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Bald Mountain Reservoir

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Fish documented in Montrose County include rainbow trout, flannelmouth sucker, brown trout, white sucker and bluehead sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. At Bald Mountain Reservoir the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 55°F and January at 14°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Break-up comes around mid May, and the run that follows is short and strong. Ice usually gives way near mid May, and forms again about mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That shapes the year on Bald Mountain Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. For a change of water, Bottle Stomp Reservoir is 6.1 miles distant. Check the position on Bald Mountain Reservoir before loading the car.