Cole Reservoir Number 1 near Cedaredge: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Cole Reservoir Number 1 lies in Delta County, in Colorado. Height above sea level is 10,489 feet. Small at around 5 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The town to know is Cedaredge, 12 miles out. The nearest city of size is Boulder, 151 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple. The approach is plain, and a car park is not always part of it.

• Where to Fish on Cole Reservoir Number 1

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. County-wide records name rainbow trout, white sucker, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. This water gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 55°F; by January the average is down near 16°F. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Ice-out usually falls in mid May, and the weeks after it fish hardest. Climate figures give an open season running mid May to mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. That shapes the year on this water.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. The Pecks Number Two at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Confirm access to this water locally before you travel.