Little Emerald Lake Fishing in La Plata County, Colorado

• Overview

  Look for Little Emerald Lake in the La Plata County part of Colorado. The setting is pine and birch on every side. About 16 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. For a base, Bayfield sits 24 miles out. The nearest city of size is Pueblo, 162 miles away. No county line comes close, which keeps the paperwork simple.

• Where to Fish on Little Emerald Lake

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Where the bottom changes texture, fish gather; find that line. Species logged across La Plata County include rainbow trout, brook trout, bluehead sucker, black-spotted cutthroat trout and brown trout. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. Little Emerald Lake repays a walk before the first cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 16°F in January and 52°F in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near late May. Open water usually runs from late May until about mid November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Little Emerald Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. Access is unmapped, which usually means a farm track and a walk. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Check locally before you travel, because a wasted drive is a long one. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Should this one be busy, Emerald Lake is 0.6 miles off. For Little Emerald Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.