Fishing Santa Maria Reservoir in Mineral County, Colorado

• Overview

  This water sits in Mineral County, Colorado. Country round the bank runs to rolling bush. This is sizeable water at about 535 acres, and a boat opens up most of it. At about 4.9 miles of edge, most people work one arm at a time. Of the waters listed here in Mineral County, this is the largest. The closest town, Ouray, is 36 miles distant. Further out sit Pagosa Springs (37 miles) and Del Norte (41 miles). It lies deep inside the county rather than near an edge.

• Where to Fish on Santa Maria Reservoir

  Depth figures are not published for this one. Rip-rap along the wall holds fish that the open bank never does. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Mineral County records list brook trout, black-spotted cutthroat trout and brown trout among the fish reported. Protected fish appear in the records for this area, so treat the list as information, not an invitation. On Santa Maria Reservoir the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Averages move between 12°F in January and 56°F in July. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid May. The open-water window runs from around mid May to about mid November in an average year. The strong weeks are the first after break-up and the last before the freeze. On Santa Maria Reservoir that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  There is no clear statement anywhere on who can fish it. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Trout here take small spinners, spoons and, where fly water allows, a nymph or dry. Sort the permit out before you load the car. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. The nearest alternative is Ghost Lake, 1.7 miles out. Check the position at Santa Maria Reservoir before loading the car.