Upper Michigan Reservoir in Summit County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  The Summit County entry here is Upper Michigan Reservoir, in Colorado. The water sits 10,509 feet up. The water measures roughly 6 acres, so nothing here is far from anything else. 8.1 miles away sits Breckenridge, the nearest town. Lakewood is the closest city, 48 miles away. The county line runs close by, so rules can change within a short drive.

• Where to Fish on Upper Michigan Reservoir

  Depth is unmeasured here, so let the shoreline guide you. Built water gives depth close in, which suits a bank angler. Held water runs deepest at the wall and shallows back to the inflow. Across Summit County, recorded fish include brook trout, rainbow trout and brown trout. Some of the species recorded here are protected or tightly regulated, so check what may be targeted before you fish. Anyone new to Upper Michigan Reservoir should walk it once before setting up.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 51°F, the coldest about 16°F. Cold locks it up for a good stretch each year. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough late May. Going by climate averages, expect open water from about late May until roughly early November. The strongest runs come at either end of the open season. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Upper Michigan Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  Public sources are silent on who controls the bank. You can camp half a mile off, which suits an early start. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Read any posted signs at the access point rather than assuming. A polite question at the farm gate opens more banks than anything else. Lower Michigan Reservoir sits 0.2 miles off and takes the overflow. Treat Upper Michigan Reservoir as unsettled until someone local tells you otherwise.