Woodland Lake in Grand County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Grand County, Colorado, is where Woodland Lake sits. The country round it is lake country bush from end to end. It covers about 6 acres, so this is small water you can walk round in under an hour. For supplies, Fraser is 8.1 miles out. The big place round here is Boulder, 21 miles distant. Being near a boundary, it pays to know which side you are fishing.

• Where to Fish on Woodland Lake

  Depth remains unrecorded, so treat the first session as a survey. The shallow end warms first and pulls fish in ahead of the rest. A soft bed grows weed late into autumn, which keeps fish shallow. Survey and observation records for Grand County include black-spotted cutthroat trout, brook trout and rainbow trout. At least one recorded species is protected in parts of its range; read the local rules before targeting anything. On Woodland Lake the first feature you find is usually worth a session.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The year swings from about 20°F in January to roughly 54°F in July. Fishing here follows the temperature more than the calendar. Ice fishing carries the winter, and the water opens about mid May. The season between ice runs from about mid May to mid November. September and October fish steadily right up to the freeze. Keep it in mind when planning a trip to Woodland Lake.

• Tackle & Baits

  Nothing on record says whether the bank is open or closed. Nothing is listed nearby for parking or launching a boat. For the trout, small spinners and a box of nymphs cover both approaches. State or provincial rules still apply whatever the bank status. Some ground is open by custom rather than by right, so tread carefully. Skyscraper Reservoir sits 0.4 miles off and takes the overflow. Confirm before you fish Woodland Lake.