King Reservoir, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  King Reservoir is a Mesa County water, Colorado side. This is lake country bush ground. At roughly 24 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. The nearest place of any size is Redlands, 13 miles away. Then Orchard Mesa, 14 miles, and Grand Junction, 14 miles. This one is safely inside the county line. It rewards a look round before the first cast.

• Where to Fish on King Reservoir

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Records held for Mesa County cover flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, green sunfish, white sucker and common carp. County records show what lives in the area; the local agency holds the water-by-water list. Read King Reservoir for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 64°F and January near 22°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Once it clears, about mid April, the fishing comes on quickly. In an average year the thaw lands around mid April and the freeze near early December. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. The season on King Reservoir rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Our records carry no access rule either way. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Should this one be busy, Schrader Reservoir is 0.7 miles off. Where King Reservoir is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.