Emerald Lake Fishing near Leadville, Colorado

• Overview

  You will find Emerald Lake in Lake County, Colorado. The ground round it is pine and birch. Surface area runs to about 5 acres — small enough to read in one session. Leadville lies 9.1 miles from the water. For a city, Lakewood is 80 miles off. Near neighbours: Lily Pond at about 3.1 miles, Cozart Reservoir a touch under 3.7 miles, Mount Elbert Forebay at about 4 miles, Swamp Lakes a touch under 5.8 miles and Native Lake at about 5.8 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Emerald Lake

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. Read the surface for the wind lane, then fish the edge of it. Across Lake County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout and black-spotted cutthroat trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. The near bank of Emerald Lake is often the one people ignore.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 54°F and January reads 15°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid May. Ice usually gives way near mid May, and forms again about mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Plan around that when you fish Emerald Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Leave the car at Mt. Elbert Trailhead, about half a mile from the bank. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Picnic facilities are recorded some 160 yards out. A toilet block sits 150 yards away. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Lily Pond, 3.1 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Rules at Emerald Lake are worth checking on the day.