Fishing at Ella Reservoir, Delta County, Colorado

• Overview

  Ella Reservoir sits within Delta County in Colorado. The bank is 10,108 feet above sea level. At roughly 11 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Cedaredge is the closest place, 13 miles off. Paonia is 14 miles away, with Orchard City at 19 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Ella Reservoir

  The records we hold are silent on depth, so plan to find it yourself. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. County-wide records name rainbow trout, white sucker, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. Species recorded across the county may be limited to a few waters. At Ella Reservoir the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 55°F, the coldest about 16°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Break-up comes around mid May, and the run that follows is short and strong. On average, mid May opens the water and mid November closes it again. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. Time your trip to Ella Reservoir by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Who may fish here is not settled in anything we hold. Public data shows nothing built here, so treat the whole approach as informal. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Hanson Reservoir sits 0.7 miles off and takes the overflow. Where Ella Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.