Thompson Reservoir Number 1, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  Look for Thompson Reservoir Number 1 in Mesa County, Colorado. Height above sea level is 6,785 feet. At roughly 20 acres, the whole thing is within casting reach of a single walk. Redlands at 8 miles is the nearest place to stop. The big place round here is Provo, 175 miles distant. There is no boundary nearby to worry about. The shoreline runs longer than it looks on a map.

• Where to Fish on Thompson Reservoir Number 1

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Levels move with the draw rather than the rain on water like this. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Species logged across Mesa County include flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, green sunfish and white sucker. What holds for the county may not hold for this water. Treat this water as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Seasonal averages run from 25°F in January up to 73°F in July. Some winters cap it and some do not. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. November and March are the quiet, comfortable months to be out. The season on this water follows the weather closely. A cold snap sets things back for several days.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing we hold confirms whether access is permitted. No launch point is recorded nearby, so this is a bank water unless you carry a boat in. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. The nearest alternative is Thompson Reservoir Number 2, 0.8 miles out. For this water in particular, ask before you travel.