Ice Lake in Clear Creek County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Ice Lake lies in Clear Creek County, Colorado. Country round the bank runs to pine and birch. Small at around 13 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is high ground by Colorado standards. For supplies, Georgetown is 9.4 miles out. After that come Fraser at 9.8 miles and Idaho Springs at 12 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Ice Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. County-wide records name black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. At Ice Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 17°F in January up to 52°F in July. The year splits cleanly: hard water, then open water. Winter locks it down, and late May brings it back. Ice clears near late May and comes back about early November in a typical year. May into June fishes hardest, and September gives a second good stretch before the lid returns. Expect Ice Lake to follow that timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. The water borders James Peak Wilderness, so reserve rules are likely to apply. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Barbless rules turn up on managed water more often than not. Should this one be busy, Ohman Lake is 0.4 miles off. Treat Ice Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.