Doris Lake, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Doris Lake sits in Rio Blanco County, out in Colorado. It sits at 10,069 feet above sea level. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. The closest town, Gypsum, is 31 miles distant. For a city, Boulder is 107 miles off. Water in the same corner: Boulder Lake within 0.4 miles, Big Fish Lake 1.1 miles away, Florence Lake within 1.7 miles and Gwendolen Lake 2.1 miles away. The county line is nowhere near, so one local authority covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Doris Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Reported across Rio Blanco County: flannelmouth sucker, cutthroat trout and rainbow trout. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Fish Doris Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 17°F and July at about 55°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from mid May. The lid tends to go about mid May and return around mid November. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Doris Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Failing this one, try Boulder Lake, 0.4 miles away. Treat access at Doris Lake as something to verify.