Fishing at Nolan Lake, Eagle County, Colorado

• Overview

  The Eagle County entry here is Nolan Lake, in Colorado. The ground around here is mixed forest. At 5 acres it is the sort of place you fish for an evening rather than a day. Compared with other Colorado water on our list, it sits high. Some 11 miles away sits Edwards, the nearest settlement. Avon follows at 11 miles, then Minturn at 12 miles. One jurisdiction covers this water end to end.

• Where to Fish on Nolan Lake

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Fish documented in Eagle County include brook trout, brown trout and rainbow trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. At Nolan Lake light and wind decide more than tackle does.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 52°F in July and bottom out at 15°F in January. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around late May. Open water usually runs from late May until about early November. Fish feed hardest at the start and the close of the open season. Plan any trip to Nolan Lake around it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. We find no slipway, car park or made path within a short radius, so treat access as rough. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. New York Lake sits 1.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm access to Nolan Lake locally before you travel.