Fishing at Mount Elbert Forebay, Lake County, Colorado

• Overview

  Out in Lake County, Colorado, sits Mount Elbert Forebay. The bank gives way to mixed forest. Surface area runs to roughly 250 acres, so plan for one area rather than the whole. Roughly 2.6 miles of bank means you can walk to a fresh area when one goes quiet. It is among the larger waters listed here for Lake County. Start from Leadville, 11 miles down the road. Leadville North lies 11 miles off, Buena Vista another 22 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Mount Elbert Forebay

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. Draw-down through summer strips the margins, so follow the water out. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Public occurrence data for Lake County names rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout, cutthroat trout and black-spotted cutthroat trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. On Mount Elbert Forebay the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 15°F in January and 54°F in July. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid May. In an average year the thaw lands around mid May and the freeze near mid November. Just after the ice goes and just before it returns, the fishing lifts. It holds true on Mount Elbert Forebay more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. Parking sits half a mile out, which makes for a walk with tackle. There is a campsite half a mile from the water. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Cozart Reservoir, 1.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Confirm access to Mount Elbert Forebay locally before you travel.