Sheep Lake Fishing Guide, Gunnison County, Colorado

• Overview

  In Colorado, Sheep Lake falls inside Gunnison County. It lies 10,538 feet above sea level. Small at around 8 acres: two anglers spread out cover most of it. The closest town, Crested Butte, is 16 miles distant. Paonia follows at 21 miles, then Gunnison at 22 miles. Nearest other option: Costo Lake about 3.5 miles, Dollar Lake at about 7.5 miles, Lost Lake about 7.7 miles, Gunnison Lake at about 8.1 miles and Lost Lake Slough about 8.1 miles. There is no boundary nearby to worry about.

• Where to Fish on Sheep Lake

  No depth figure appears in our records, so the bank has to tell you. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Gunnison County, recorded fish include rainbow trout, brown trout and brook trout. The county figures include rivers and lakes alike. Fish Sheep Lake where the bottom changes rather than where it looks deep.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warm month here averages 54°F; the cold one sits at 14°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. Hard water holds through the cold months, breaking up near mid May. Ice clears near mid May and comes back about mid November in a typical year. The weeks after the thaw and the ones before the freeze are the strongest. Time your trip to Sheep Lake by conditions rather than dates.

• Tackle & Baits

  Ownership and access are not documented in what we hold. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Signs go up and come down, so check on the day. Costo Lake sits 3.5 miles off and takes the overflow. Ask locally about Sheep Lake if anything is unclear.