Island Lake Fishing Guide, Jackson County, Colorado

• Overview

  Look for Island Lake in the Jackson County part of Colorado. It sits in rolling bush country. About 15 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Estes Park at 28 miles is the nearest place to stop. Granby is 37 miles away, with Laporte at 42 miles. Round about: 0.3 miles out stands Carey Lake, Timber Lake some 0.9 miles off, 1 mile out stands Kelly Lake, Twin Crater Lakes some 1.2 miles off and 1.8 miles out stands Hang Lake. This one is safely inside the county line.

• Where to Fish on Island Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Survey and observation records for Jackson County include brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, Arctic grayling and black-spotted cutthroat trout. These are county-wide records, so not all of them will be in this water. On Island Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 18°F and July at about 51°F, the water has a wide range to work through. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Winter locks it down, and late May brings it back. Break-up near late May, freeze-up near early November: that is the shape of an average year. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Expect Island Lake to follow that timing.

• 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. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Fishing rules and camping rules are set separately here. If the gate is shut, Carey Lake at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Treat Island Lake as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.