Montrose Reservoir near Montrose: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  You will find Montrose Reservoir in Montrose County, Colorado. The country here is lake country bush. The water covers some 28 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. It ranks high for size among our Montrose County listings. Montrose is the closest place, 13 miles off. Further out sit Olathe (22 miles) and Paonia (29 miles). It sits well inside its county, with no border complications.

• Where to Fish on Montrose Reservoir

  No published figure covers depth, so learn it as you fish. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Records held for Montrose County cover rainbow trout, flannelmouth sucker and brown trout. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. Read Montrose Reservoir for ten minutes before the first cast goes out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 63°F and January reads 18°F. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Hard cover is dependable here; it goes around mid April. Climate figures give an open season running mid April to late November. The open run goes from the thaw to the freeze, and April through October covers most of it. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Montrose Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access status is simply unknown for this water. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. Crystal Creek at 4 miles is the sensible second choice. Nothing here settles the position at Montrose Reservoir for certain.