Cowpuncher Lake near Ouray: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Cowpuncher Lake is listed under Ouray County, Colorado. It lies 9,442 feet above sea level. On water this small, stealth matters more than range. On size it sits at the modest end of our Ouray County list. The closest town, Ouray, is 19 miles away. The big place round here is Colorado Springs, 153 miles distant. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Cowpuncher Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Species logged across Ouray County include rainbow trout, brown trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout, white sucker and bluehead sucker. The county list is broader than any single water. Cowpuncher Lake fishes better once you know its edges.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 17°F and July at about 58°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around early May. Expect the water usable from around early May until roughly late November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. It sets the rhythm of the year at Cowpuncher Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Fish Creek Reservoir Number 2 at 1.1 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Cowpuncher Lake for certain.