Upper Hotel Lake, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Colorado, Upper Hotel Lake belongs to Delta County. It stands 10,384 feet above sea level. It runs to roughly 26 acres — big enough to hold fish away from the bank, small enough to learn. On our Delta County list it sits near the top for size. Cedaredge is the closest town at 11 miles. Orchard City follows at 15 miles, then Palisade at 22 miles. This one sits near enough to a boundary to be worth checking.

• Where to Fish on Upper Hotel Lake

  No figure exists for depth, so let the water show you. Standing timber shows when the level drops, and fish sit against it. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. Records held for Delta County cover rainbow trout, white sucker, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. Upper Hotel Lake gives up its fish to patience rather than distance.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Between January at about 17°F and July at about 56°F, the water has a wide range to work through. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Count the season from break-up, usually mid May. Ice clears near mid May and comes back about mid November in a typical year. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Upper Hotel Lake runs to that rhythm year in and year out.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. The slipway at Eggleston Boat Ramp is half a mile away. The car has to stay half a mile away, which shapes how much tackle you bring. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Local rules can differ across the county line, so check where you stand. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. For a change of water, Rockland Lake is 0.5 miles distant. Confirm access to Upper Hotel Lake locally before you travel.