Fishing at Upper Storm Lake, Grand County, Colorado

• Overview

  Grand County, Colorado, is where Upper Storm Lake sits. The water sits 11,965 feet up. About 3 acres of surface, which puts the far bank inside easy sight. It is one of the smaller waters we list in Grand County. Start from Fraser, 7.7 miles down the road. The big place round here is Boulder, 22 miles distant. Two sets of local rules meet not far from this water.

• Where to Fish on Upper Storm Lake

  We hold no depth figure for this one. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. Across Grand County, recorded fish include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout, rainbow trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Upper Storm Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Average temperature peaks around 53°F in July and bottoms out near 18°F in January. Hard water is a season in its own right here. Expect a solid lid for months and a thaw around mid May. Climate figures give an open season running mid May to mid November. Right after break-up, and again as the nights sharpen, is when to go. On Upper Storm Lake that shapes the whole year.

• Tackle & Baits

  No public source sets out the position on this bank. Mapping shows no built access close by; expect to walk in from wherever you can leave the car. Light line and small metal for the trout; a fly rod earns its place on calm evenings. Parking is often the real limit rather than the bank itself. Rules for boats are stricter than rules for the bank in many places. The nearest alternative is Upper Diamond Lake, 0.6 miles out. Confirm before you fish Upper Storm Lake.