Fishing at Lily Lake, Costilla County, Colorado

• Overview

  Lily Lake lies in Costilla County, Colorado. It lies 12,372 feet above sea level. At roughly 7 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. It sits higher than most water we list in Colorado. The town to know is Alamosa East, 21 miles out. Further out sit Alamosa (22 miles) and Center (36 miles). No border sits close enough to matter.

• Where to Fish on Lily Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Costilla County records list cutthroat trout, white sucker, black-spotted cutthroat trout and brook trout among the fish reported. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Lily Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 15°F to 51°F. A solid cap is the normal state through winter. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late May until roughly early November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. That shapes the year on Lily Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. South Zapata Lake at 0.9 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Lily Lake before loading the car.