Kennicott Slough Reservoir Fishing in Delta County, Colorado

• Overview

  Kennicott Slough Reservoir is one of the Delta County waters in Colorado. Height above sea level is 9,990 feet. Roughly 71 acres: a morning covers one end, an afternoon the other. There is roughly 1.4 miles of shoreline here, which is a short walk end to end. On our Delta County list it sits near the top for size. Some 8.9 miles away sits Cedaredge, the nearest settlement. Further out sit Orchard City (14 miles) and Delta (21 miles).

• Where to Fish on Kennicott Slough Reservoir

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Fish documented in Delta County include rainbow trout, white sucker, flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and brown trout. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Kennicott Slough Reservoir gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 56°F in July and bottoms out near 17°F in January. Winter closes the water for a while, and the reopening is worth catching. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid May. The season between ice runs from about mid May to mid November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on Kennicott Slough Reservoir more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Howard Reservoir sits 0.6 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Kennicott Slough Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.