Rapid Creek Reservoir Number 1 Fishing Guide, Mesa County, Colorado

• Overview

  Look for Rapid Creek Reservoir Number 1 in the Mesa County part of Colorado. It stands 9,944 feet above sea level. The water covers some 98 acres, so pick a bank rather than trying to cover it all. A shoreline of some 1.9 miles keeps the choices simple. It ranks high for size among our Mesa County listings. Start from Palisade, 7.6 miles down the road. Beyond it, Clifton at 13 miles and Fruitvale at 15 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Rapid Creek Reservoir Number 1

  Nothing in our records gives a depth for this one. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Records held for Mesa County cover flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, green sunfish and white sucker. Those are county-wide records, so not every one of them will be in this water. The shape of this water rewards a slow walk along one bank.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Expect July near 61°F and January near 19°F on the long-run figures. Hard water is a season in its own right here. After early May the shallows warm and the fish move up. The lid tends to go about early May and return around late November. The first weeks of open water and the last are the ones to plan for. It holds true on this water more years than not.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. Public mapping records no formal access here, so plan for a walk and soft ground. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Rules for this water may differ from the county norm. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Failing this one, try Rapid Creek Reservoir Number 2, 0.6 miles away. Confirm before you fish this water.