Florence Lake in Garfield County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Florence Lake is listed under Garfield County, Colorado. Rolling bush runs right down to the water. At 24 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. There is roughly 1.3 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. The closest town, Gypsum, is 29 miles away. Beyond it, Glenwood Springs at 30 miles and New Castle at 32 miles. It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Florence Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Public occurrence data for Garfield County names cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and bluegill. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Florence Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 53°F in July and bottom out at 14°F in January. A full turn of seasons, with the strongest sport on either side of summer. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late May. Averages suggest open water from about late May through to roughly early November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. Florence Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. This is a natural basin, not a dammed one. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. Big Fish Lake sits 0.8 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Florence Lake locally before you travel.