Fishing De Herrera Lake in Conejos County, Colorado

• Overview

  De Herrera Lake stands in Conejos County, Colorado. Height above sea level is 10,827 feet. This is a pocket water of some 6 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. For a base, Chama sits 15 miles out. For a city, Pueblo is 129 miles off. In the same area: Duck Lake 1.9 miles away, Rock Lake after 2.2 miles, Trujillo Meadows Reservoir 2.4 miles away, Beaver Lake after 2.5 miles and Waterdog Lake 3 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on De Herrera Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Records held for Conejos County cover white sucker, brown trout, green sunfish, black-spotted cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. De Herrera Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 54°F in July and bottoms out near 16°F in January. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Break-up comes around mid May, and the run that follows is short and strong. On the long-run averages the water opens up around mid May and starts locking again about mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Time your trip to De Herrera Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. The map shows no ramp or car park nearby, so this is a walk-in water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Duck Lake, 1.9 miles out. Treat access at De Herrera Lake as something to verify.