Upper Slide Lake Fishing near Steamboat Springs, Colorado

• Overview

  Upper Slide Lake lies in Routt County, Colorado. Elevation runs to 10,778 feet. About 6 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. Steamboat Springs is the closest place, 15 miles off. Hayden is 33 miles and Kremmling 44 miles. Water in the same corner: Slide Lake 0.4 miles away, Roxy Ann Lake roughly 1.2 miles, Rainbow Lake 1.8 miles away, Middle Rainbow Lake roughly 2.3 miles and Agua Fria Lake 2.4 miles away. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Upper Slide Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. A natural lake fishes on cover, and cover here means weed and timber. Across Routt County, recorded fish include brook trout, cutthroat trout, rainbow trout and mountain whitefish. The list covers the county rather than this water alone, so treat it as a guide. Treat Upper Slide Lake as a water to read rather than to cover.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 54°F, the coldest about 19°F. The season turns properly here, and fish follow it closely. Ice is part of the season here, ending near mid May. Climate figures give an open season running mid May to mid November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. At Upper Slide Lake the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  The access position is unclear from public sources. No built facilities appear in mapping around this water. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Check whether a boat is allowed before you tow one. Close seasons apply to some species and not others. Slide Lake at 0.4 miles is the sensible second choice. For Upper Slide Lake in particular, ask before you travel.