Williams Creek Lake near Paonia: Fishing Spots, Seasons and Access

• Overview

  The Gunnison County end of Colorado holds Williams Creek Lake. The surroundings are pine and birch. This is a pocket water of some 12 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, Paonia, is 18 miles distant. Crested Butte is 19 miles away, with Snowmass Village at 25 miles. The nearest boundary is well away, so one set of rules covers the water.

• Where to Fish on Williams Creek Lake

  Depth is not on record here, so the bank has to tell you. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. The productive water is a rod length or two out, not a hundred. Records held for Gunnison County cover rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout and cutthroat trout. County records show the wider picture rather than this one place. On Williams Creek Lake that means starting tight and working out.

• Seasonal Patterns

  Climate records put July near 62°F and January near 18°F. Spring and autumn carry the fishing; summer and winter test it. Winter fishing happens on the ice here, with open water back around mid April. The water is typically free of ice between mid April and late November. Spring is short and heavy here; autumn is longer and steadier. Plan around that when you fish Williams Creek Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  No access rule appears in what we hold. 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. Bank access can be seasonal on ground like this. Some water is controlled locally without a sign saying so. For a change of water, Tomahawk Reservoir is 0.9 miles distant. Signs at Williams Creek Lake carry more weight than any list.