Rifle Gap Reservoir in Garfield County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Rifle Gap Reservoir lies within the bounds of Garfield County, Colorado. This is pine and birch ground. Around 241 acres of surface means several distinct areas to work. The outline measures near 4.3 miles, so local knowledge counts. Few waters listed in Garfield County are bigger. Rifle is the closest place, 6.8 miles off. Boulder is the closest city, 135 miles away. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it.

• Where to Fish on Rifle Gap Reservoir

  Our records carry no depth, so judge it from the bank. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. The old creek line under the surface is the feature worth finding. Public occurrence data for Garfield County names cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Rifle Gap Reservoir gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 68°F, the coldest about 23°F. A hard winter is normal, and the thaw brings a strong few weeks. Firm cover through the cold months, then open water from late March. The season between ice runs from about late March to early December. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. At Rifle Gap Reservoir the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public data does not answer the access question here. A slipway 160 yards out gives trailer access. There is recorded parking some half a mile off. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Toilets show in mapping about half a mile away. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. Murphy Reservoir, 5.2 miles away, makes the obvious fallback. Check the current arrangement for Rifle Gap Reservoir.