Bull Creek Reservoir Number 3 in Mesa County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Bull Creek Reservoir Number 3 stands in Mesa County, Colorado. What surrounds it is mixed forest. About 5 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. The closest town, Cedaredge, is 14 miles distant. For a city, Boulder is 161 miles off. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking. There is no development on most of the bank.

• Where to Fish on Bull Creek Reservoir Number 3

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Public occurrence data for Mesa County names flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, green sunfish and white sucker. It is the county picture; the agency list is water-specific. Read this water for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July runs about 56°F on average, January about 17°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid May. Ice clears near mid May and comes back about mid November in a typical year. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. The season on this water follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access points are not mapped for this water, which suits people who like quiet. 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. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. If the gate is shut, Big Beaver Reservoir at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm access to this water locally before you travel.