Willow Reservoir Fishing near Paonia, Colorado

• Overview

  You will find Willow Reservoir in Delta County, Colorado. It stands 10,413 feet above sea level. This is a pocket water of some 9 acres, and every part of it is reachable from the bank. The closest town, Paonia, is 11 miles distant. Further out sit Cedaredge (16 miles) and Orchard City (21 miles). Rules here are straightforward: one county, one set of rules.

• Where to Fish on Willow Reservoir

  Open data we checked carries no depth for this water. The arms fish better than the open middle whenever the water is up. Points where the flooded channel swings in are the reliable ones. Fish documented in Delta County include rainbow trout, white sucker, flannelmouth sucker and bluehead sucker. The county list is broader than any single water. Take Willow Reservoir a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 16°F in January to roughly 54°F in July. Winter puts a hard lid on this one. The open season starts with the thaw, near enough mid May. Expect the water usable from around mid May until roughly mid November. Late spring and early autumn carry the year between them. At Willow Reservoir the season follows that pattern closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Access is not recorded for this water. Nothing is mapped in the way of a ramp or car park within a short radius. 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. Where tickets apply, they are sold in the nearest town rather than on the bank. The nearest alternative is Hilltop Reservoir, 0.6 miles out. Check the position at Willow Reservoir before loading the car.