Lakeman Lakes Fishing Guide, Mineral County, Colorado

• Overview

  Lakeman Lakes is a Mineral County water, Colorado side. The land about it is lake country bush. Small at around 10 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The town to know is Ouray, 34 miles out. After that come Pagosa Springs at 38 miles and Telluride at 39 miles. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Lakeman Lakes

  Depth went unrecorded, which puts the reading back on you. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Mineral County records list brook trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout, brown trout and rainbow trout among the fish reported. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. At Lakeman Lakes light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 12°F to 56°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Once it clears, about mid May, the fishing comes on quickly. Averages suggest open water from about mid May through to roughly mid November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Lakeman Lakes fishes to that pattern most years.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Santa Maria Reservoir, 2 miles away. Check the position at Lakeman Lakes before loading the car.