Fishing Half Moon Lake in La Plata County, Colorado

• Overview

  You will find Half Moon Lake in La Plata County, Colorado. It sits at 12,185 feet above sea level. It is pond-in-a-field scale, with the far bank a short lob away. It is one of the smaller waters we list in La Plata County. 27 miles away sits Bayfield, the nearest town. Further out sit Telluride (29 miles) and Mountain Village (31 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Half Moon Lake

  There is no published depth for this one, so start shallow and work out. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Across La Plata County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brook trout and bluehead sucker. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. At Half Moon Lake the water rewards a slow, careful approach.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 13°F in January to roughly 50°F in July. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around early June. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about early June until roughly early November. The middle of summer slows a little, with dawn and dusk carrying it. It holds true on Half Moon Lake more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. 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. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. If the gate is shut, Rock Lake at 0.4 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing on Half Moon Lake should be assumed from this page alone.