Desert Reservoir in Mesa County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  In Colorado, Desert Reservoir belongs to Mesa County. It stands 4,803 feet above sea level. At 5 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Ground here is low by Colorado standards. Orchard Mesa at 9.1 miles is the nearest place to stop. The big place round here is Boulder, 183 miles distant. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Desert Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Mesa County records list flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, green sunfish and white sucker among the fish reported. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Desert Reservoir repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate normals give 78°F for July and 28°F for January. The freeze here is occasional rather than annual. It should never be assumed safe, whatever the month says. The hot months push the fishing to dawn and dusk. The season on Desert Reservoir follows the weather closely. A steady wind fishes better than a still, bright day.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Mapping shows an empty shoreline: no ramp, no jetty, no marked entry. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Failing this one, try Reeder Reservoir, 5.9 miles away. Confirm access to Desert Reservoir locally before you travel.