Deep Lake Fishing Guide, Routt County, Colorado

• Overview

  The Routt County end of Colorado holds Deep Lake. Height above sea level is 10,285 feet. At 15 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Nearest town is Hayden, 30 miles off. Gypsum is 32 miles away, with Craig at 35 miles. Near neighbours: East Lost Lake just 0.4 miles, Dines Lake some 0.4 miles off, West Lost Lake just 0.7 miles, Long Lake some 1.9 miles off and Lily Pond just 2.2 miles. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Deep Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Routt County include brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and mountain whitefish. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. On Deep Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 16°F and July at about 53°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The lid arrives early and lasts until roughly late May. In an average year the thaw lands around late May and the freeze near early November. From the thaw to midsummer the fishing improves week by week. At Deep Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. 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. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try East Lost Lake, 0.4 miles away. What applies at Deep Lake may have changed since it was mapped.