West Arapaho Reservoir, Colorado: Fishing Spots and Seasons

• Overview

  In Colorado, West Arapaho Reservoir falls inside Jackson County. The land about it is rolling bush. It measures about 27 acres, which is a comfortable size for bank fishing. Steamboat Springs sits 21 miles from here and is the nearest stop. For a city, Boulder is 68 miles off. The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on West Arapaho Reservoir

  Depth is unknown to us, and the shoreline is the better guide. Inflow corners move water, and moving water gathers fish. A reservoir gives you a hard edge, a shelf, and not much else. Records held for Jackson County cover brown trout, brook trout, rainbow trout and Arctic grayling. Read it as a county summary, not a water-by-water list. On West Arapaho Reservoir that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Temperature averages peak at 57°F in July and bottom out at 18°F in January. The middle months are generous; the ends are demanding. Ice is part of the season here, ending near early May. The open-water window runs from around early May to about mid November in an average year. Early summer and early autumn carry the open-water season. Plan around that when you fish West Arapaho Reservoir.

• Tackle & Baits

  We have no record of the rules that apply on this bank. Formal access is not mapped, so the last stretch is likely on foot. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. Some banks are open only from a marked point. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Failing this one, try South Arapaho Reservoir, 1.2 miles away. Signs at West Arapaho Reservoir carry more weight than any list.