Pumphouse Lake near Fraser: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  Set in Grand County, Colorado, this is Pumphouse Lake. It stands 11,365 feet above sea level. It covers about 4 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. It is a small entry by Grand County standards. 6.8 miles away sits Fraser, the nearest town. After that come Nederland at 9.8 miles and Georgetown at 15 miles. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Pumphouse Lake

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. On a natural lake the weed line and the shelf beyond it do the work. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. Species logged across Grand County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Several of these carry legal protection or closed seasons; the rulebook comes before the rod. On Pumphouse Lake the quiet end is the one worth the extra effort.

• Seasonal Patterns

  In an average year July sits at 53°F and January at 18°F. The freeze arrives properly here and holds. Winter locks it down, and mid May brings it back. The season between ice runs from about mid May to mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Pumphouse Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  We hold no note on access for this one. You will be walking about half a mile from the nearest car park. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Rules differ from one water to the next round here. Where parking is tight, arriving early solves most problems. If the gate is shut, Deadman Lake at 0.3 miles is the nearest alternative. Check the position at Pumphouse Lake before loading the car.