Heart Lake, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Heart Lake stands in Routt County, Colorado. It sits at 9,957 feet above sea level. At about 28 acres, a day is enough to walk the shoreline properly. The closest town, Steamboat Springs, is 28 miles away. The nearest city of size is Boulder, 94 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout. There are roughly six months where the mean sits under zero.

• Where to Fish on Heart Lake

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Public occurrence data for Routt County names brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and mountain whitefish. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Heart Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 54°F; by January the average is down near 19°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Count the season from break-up, usually mid May. Climate figures give an open season running mid May to mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. It sets the rhythm of the year at Heart Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. No made access is recorded, so a short walk in is the likely arrangement. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. McChivvis Reservoir at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Rules at Heart Lake are worth checking on the day.