Crystal Lake in San Miguel County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Crystal Lake is one of the San Miguel County waters in Colorado. The water sits 12,057 feet up. About 4 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is high ground by Colorado standards. 6.4 miles away sits Telluride, the nearest town. Mountain Village lies 7 miles off, Ouray another 13 miles. Rules can differ a short way off, since the county line is near.

• Where to Fish on Crystal Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. County-wide records name rainbow trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout, brown trout and brook trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. Work Crystal Lake in sections rather than trying to cover it.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 13°F to 51°F. Expect a real winter and a strong spring after it. Count the season from break-up, usually early June. The water is typically free of ice between early June and early November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. That is the shape of the year on Crystal Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. The nearest mapped parking is half a mile away, so the last stretch is on foot. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. If the gate is shut, Clear Lake at 1.5 miles is the nearest alternative. Confirm before you fish Crystal Lake.