Red Lake Fishing Guide, Montezuma County, Colorado

• Overview

  The Montezuma County end of Colorado holds Red Lake. The country round it is lake country bush from end to end. About 4 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. For a base, Cortez sits 23 miles out. Albuquerque is the closest city, 208 miles away. Nearest other option: Young Reservoir within 1.1 miles, Summers Reservoir sits 1.4 miles out, Crooked Reservoir within 1.7 miles, Salter Reservoir sits 2 miles out and Hosea Reservoir within 2.4 miles. The nearest boundary is a fair way off.

• Where to Fish on Red Lake

  Depth here is unknown, so count the lead down before committing. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Montezuma County records list bluehead sucker, brook trout, bluegill, walleye and channel catfish among the fish reported. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. Anyone new to Red Lake should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 64°F in July and bottom out at 23°F in January. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Count on hard cover from midwinter, and open water from early April. The season between ice runs from about early April to early December. Fishing peaks soon after break-up and again before the cold returns. The season on Red Lake rarely departs from it.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether the bank is open is not something our records settle. There is no mapped parking or launch close by, which usually means walking in. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Take the rules with you rather than trusting memory. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. If the gate is shut, Young Reservoir at 1.1 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Red Lake for certain.