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Blue Mesa Reservoir

Lake fishing  Colorado · 06:51 - 19:16

Blue Mesa Reservoir is a lake set in Colorado. The main target species are White Bass, Bluegill and Muskellunge.

Good 64% The bite right now
Top bet: White Bass Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
86%
61°
Best day
Fri
80%
59°
Sat
79%
61°
Sun
79%
61°
Mon
77%
64°

The bite over the next days, scored at dusk. Based on the weather forecast, so it is guidance, not guarantees.

Conditions right now

Weather
Partly cloudy
Water temp (est.)
70°F
Air temp
65°F
Wind
12 mph
Pressure
30.03 inHg ↑ rising
Clouds
58.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 06:06–08:06 Day 08:06–18:01 Dusk 18:01–20:01

Local time at the spot, from the most likely species' daily rhythm.

Feeding times today

Waxing crescent 23% lit
Major period 16:06–18:06 Major period 04:06–06:06 Minor period 11:42–13:12 Minor period 21:00–22:30

Solunar times are a traditional guide based on the moon's position, separate from the live ranking above. Local time at the spot.

Next hours

16:00
65°
17:00
66°
18:00
65°
19:00
62°
20:00
59°
21:00
58°
22:00
56°
23:00
56°
00:00
55°
01:00
54°
02:00
54°
03:00
53°

Likely catch now (15 species)

White Bass
Morone chrysops
64%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Bluegill
Lepomis macrochirus
62%
Active through the day, water near its preferred 21 degrees.
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Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
54%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Smallmouth Bass
Micropterus dolomieu
54%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season, a fishy ripple on the water.
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Largemouth Bass
Micropterus salmoides
52%
Water near its preferred 21 degrees, peak season.
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Brook Trout
Salvelinus fontinalis
43%
Peak season.
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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass and Brook Trout.

For White Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Napp ranks the species above from the live weather, water temperature, season and time of day, so the order changes through the day.

Guides for this water

Tips right now

Technique Start with a spoon for white bass, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for white bass at the day. Fish hard now.
Lure Spoon for white bass: Small shiny spoon in the school.
Colour Clear water and good light: try silver, white and shiny for white bass.
Depth The water temperature suits the fish. Fish actively at normal depths and edges.

Fishing permit

A state fishing license is required to fish here. Licenses are issued by each state:

About this water

Blue Mesa Reservoir is an artificial reservoir located on the upper reaches of the Gunnison River in Gunnison County, Colorado. The largest lake located entirely within the state, Blue Mesa Reservoir was created by the construction of Blue Mesa Dam, a 390-foot-tall (120 m) earthfill dam constructed on the Gunnison by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1966 for the generation of hydroelectric power. Managed as part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service, Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest lake trout and Kokanee salmon fishery in Colorado.

Read more on Wikipedia →

Map

More waters nearby

Common questions

What fish can you catch at Blue Mesa Reservoir?

Popular catches here include White Bass, Bluegill, Muskellunge, Smallmouth Bass, Largemouth Bass, Brook Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.

Do you need a fishing license at Blue Mesa Reservoir?

Yes. A state fishing license is required; see the link on this page for the state's rules.

When is the best time to fish Blue Mesa Reservoir?

For White Bass, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May. The best windows are usually dawn, day and dusk.

What is biting at Blue Mesa Reservoir right now?

Right now White Bass is the most likely catch, at about 21%.