South Mesa Lake, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Set in Mesa County, Colorado, this is South Mesa Lake. Elevation runs to 9,977 feet. Surface area runs to about 11 acres — small enough to read in one session. The closest town, Cedaredge, is 13 miles distant. For a city, Boulder is 165 miles off. Within a short run: 0.2 miles out stands Lost Lake, Glacier Springs 0.4 miles, 0.4 miles out stands Mesa Lake, Beaver Lake 0.5 miles and 0.6 miles out stands Sunset Lake. Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on South Mesa Lake

  Nothing we hold settles how deep this runs. Look for the band where the shallows give up and the bottom falls away. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. County-wide records name flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker and green sunfish. The county list is broader than any single water. On South Mesa Lake a short move beats a long cast.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The range across the year is 18°F to 59°F. Four clear seasons, with a proper winter at one end. The lid usually sets by midwinter and gives way around early May. Break-up sits around early May on average, with the water closing again about late November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. South Mesa Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  The rules here are undocumented as far as public sources go. Parking within half a mile means no long carry with tackle. A camping area sits within half a mile of here. Toilets are half a mile away, which matters on a long session. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Where a permit is needed, the nearest town usually sells it. Check whether bait restrictions apply before you buy any. Lost Lake sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. None of that is settled for South Mesa Lake in what we hold.