Corral Lake Fishing in Dolores County, Colorado

• Overview

  Corral Lake falls in Dolores County, part of Colorado. The water sits 8,291 feet up. Surface area runs to about 3 acres — small enough to read in one session. For supplies, Monticello is 33 miles out. The nearest city of size is Albuquerque, 222 miles away. It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge. The near end sees the visitors; the far end rarely does.

• Where to Fish on Corral Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. County-wide records name black-spotted cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout and walleye. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Work Corral Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 64°F and January near 25°F on the long-run figures. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough early April. Climate figures give an open season running early April to early December. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Corral Lake runs to its own calendar within the local pattern.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. 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. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Failing this one, try Glade Point Reservoir, 1.8 miles away. Confirm access to Corral Lake locally before you travel.