Fishing Monument Lake in El Paso County, Colorado

• Overview

  Monument Lake lies in El Paso County, in Colorado. It sits at 6,919 feet above sea level. It measures about 29 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. On our El Paso County list it sits near the top for size. Supplies mean a trip to Monument, 0.4 miles off. Then Woodmoor, 1.9 miles, and Palmer Lake, 3 miles. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Monument Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Public occurrence data for El Paso County names rainbow trout, common carp, brook trout and green sunfish. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. Fish Monument Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  July is the warm end of the year here, averaging about 65°F, while January sits near 26°F. The year gives four workable seasons without severe ends. In a normal year the cover is thin and short-lived. April and May are the settled weeks, with October close behind. That shapes the year on Monument Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Parking is close: a car park sits half a mile from the bank. Facilities run to toilets half a mile from the water. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. A phone call first saves an afternoon. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Palmer Lake, 2.8 miles away. Confirm access to Monument Lake locally before you travel.