Lamphier Lake Fishing Guide, Gunnison County, Colorado

• Overview

  Lamphier Lake lies within the bounds of Gunnison County, Colorado. The land about it is lake country bush. It covers about 5 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is high ground by Colorado standards. Gunnison lies 20 miles from the water. Further out sit Crested Butte (25 miles) and Buena Vista (28 miles). There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Lamphier Lake

  There is no recorded depth, so work from what you can see. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. County-wide records name rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout. The county list is broader than any single water. The shape of Lamphier Lake decides where the fish sit.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Typical July readings run about 51°F; by January the average is down near 12°F. Winter shuts the surface down for months. Ice is part of the season here, ending near late May. Climate figures give an open season running late May to early November. Look to early summer and the first cool weeks of autumn. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Lamphier Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Access can change hands, so last year's answer may not hold. Lower Lamphier Lake at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Where Lamphier Lake is concerned, a local answer beats a written one.