Mud Lake near Telluride: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Mud Lake is a San Juan County water, in Colorado. It sits at 12,254 feet above sea level. Small at around 4 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. It is a small entry by San Juan County standards. Telluride lies 4 miles from the water. After that come Mountain Village at 5.8 miles and Ouray at 9.9 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Mud Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Species logged across San Juan County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout and white sucker. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. On Mud Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  On the long-term average, July reads 51°F and January reads 13°F. Cold winters and warm summers give a wide working range. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from early June. In an average year the thaw lands around early June and the freeze near early November. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. On Mud Lake the same rules apply, with local timing.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. No made access appears within a short radius, so plan to park on a verge and walk. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Where the road in crosses private land, ask first. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. Failing this one, try Blue Lake, 0.7 miles away. For Mud Lake, the notice at the access point is the final word.