Fishing Lost Lake in Eagle County, Colorado

• Overview

  Lost Lake lies within the bounds of Eagle County, Colorado. The surface lies 10,174 feet up. At 13 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Vail lies 5.1 miles from the water. Further out sit Minturn (9.1 miles) and Avon (9.1 miles). More in the same country: Piney Lake lies 0.6 miles on, Upper Piney Lake about 4.5 miles, Booth Lake lies 4.5 miles on, Bubble Lake about 4.6 miles and Duck Lake lies 4.7 miles on. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Lost Lake

  Depth figures are not published for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Public occurrence data for Eagle County names brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Lost Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 17°F in January to roughly 53°F in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid May. Expect the water usable from around mid May until roughly mid November. Reckon on open water from spring through to late autumn, with May and June the strongest. Plan any trip to Lost Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. You can camp about 130 yards away, going by the mapping. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. A landowner's word beats anything printed elsewhere. Keep proof of licence with you rather than in the car. The nearest alternative is Piney Lake, 0.6 miles out. Rules at Lost Lake are worth checking on the day.