Fishing at Carter Lake, Eagle County, Colorado

• Overview

  The Eagle County end of Colorado holds Carter Lake. Elevation runs to 10,377 feet. Small at around 7 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. Leadville North lies 15 miles from the water. The nearest city of size is Boulder, 81 miles away. Other water within reach: Josephine Lake (1.1 miles), Missouri Lakes sits 2 miles out, Sopris Lake (2.1 miles), Brady Lake sits 2.2 miles out and Blodgett Lake (2.5 miles). Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Carter Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Eagle County include brook trout, brown trout, rainbow trout, cutthroat trout and black-spotted cutthroat trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Carter Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Long-term averages put July at about 51°F and January near 15°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about late May. Ice usually gives way near late May, and forms again about early November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Plan any trip to Carter Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. No car park, ramp or path is recorded within easy reach of the shore. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. Should this one be busy, Josephine Lake is 1.1 miles off. Rules at Carter Lake are worth checking on the day.