Forty Acre Lake, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  This water sits in Delta County, Colorado. The bank is 10,184 feet above sea level. At roughly 21 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Start from Cedaredge, 12 miles down the road. Then Orchard City, 17 miles, and Paonia, 23 miles. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules. There is room enough here for more than one party without crowding.

• Where to Fish on Forty Acre Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Across Delta County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, white sucker, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Fish Forty Acre Lake to its features, not to its size.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 56°F, the coldest about 17°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid May. In an average year the thaw lands around mid May and the freeze near mid November. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. Expect Forty Acre Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. There is no mapped parking or launch nearby, which keeps numbers down. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Silver Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the current arrangement for Forty Acre Lake.