Cajon Lake in San Juan County: How and When to Fish It

• Overview

  Out in San Juan County, Utah, sits Cajon Lake. Height above sea level is 5,469 feet. Small even by pond standards, it rewards one careful line. Most waters listed here for San Juan County are larger. Start from Towaoc, 23 miles down the road. Further out sit Cortez (26 miles) and Blanding (27 miles). The nearest edge is a long way off, so local rules apply throughout.

• Where to Fish on Cajon Lake

  Depth is not on record here, which means reading the ground instead. Bays and points beat straight shoreline every time on water like this. This is a lake, so the margins and the first drop matter most. San Juan County records list rainbow trout, brook trout and green sunfish among the fish reported. Records at county level tell you what is around, not what is stocked here. Take Cajon Lake a stretch at a time.

• Seasonal Patterns

  The warmest month averages 75°F, the coldest about 29°F. The season stretches long at both ends here. Some winters give nothing at all, so plan for open water. June to September is hot work, so the first and last hours are what count. The season on Cajon Lake follows the weather closely.

• Tackle & Baits

  Whether you may fish here is not something records settle. It is recorded as intermittent, which means the basin empties in dry spells. A small crankbait along the drop and a worm in the thick stuff cover the bass. Look for a notice board at the entrance. Night access is frequently treated as a separate matter. If the gate is shut, Horse Canyon Reservoir at 20 miles is the nearest alternative. Nothing here settles the position at Cajon Lake for certain.