Fishing Chalk Lake in Lake County, Colorado

• Overview

  Chalk Lake is set in Lake County, Colorado. The surface lies 11,355 feet up. At roughly 7 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It sits higher than most water we list in Colorado. The nearest town is Leadville North, 9.6 miles away. Lakewood sits 65 miles out, and it is the nearest city worth the name. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Chalk Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Survey and observation records for Lake County include rainbow trout, brook trout and brown trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Chalk Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July to average close to 51°F, with January the cold end at about 13°F. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late May. Averages suggest open water from about late May through to roughly early November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Chalk Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. 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. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Chalk Mountain Reservoir at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. For Chalk Lake in particular, ask before you travel.