Slide Mandall Lake in Routt County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Slide Mandall Lake belongs to Routt County, Colorado. The land about it is mixed forest. About 8 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. 30 miles away sits Gypsum, the nearest town. Hayden is 31 miles away, with Eagle at 32 miles. It sits well inside the county, so one set of rules covers it. The country round the bank is quiet, with little traffic on the road in.

• Where to Fish on Slide Mandall Lake

  Without a survey to go on, judge depth from how the bank falls away. Still water like this holds fish on the edges rather than out in the open. Weed, then depth: that is the order to fish a water of this kind. Fish documented in Routt County include brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout, mountain whitefish and mountain sucker. Records at this level tell you what is in the area. On Slide Mandall Lake the obvious spot is not always the productive one.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The seasonal spread runs 15°F to 52°F. Seasons are distinct, and each one fishes differently. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early June. The lid tends to go about early June and return around early November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. At Slide Mandall Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The paperwork position is blank for this one. Mapping records no facilities at all near this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Gates get locked out of season on water like this. Where the way in crosses private ground, ask first. Black Mandall Lake at 0.6 miles is the sensible second choice. Check the position on Slide Mandall Lake before loading the car.