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Blue Mesa Reservoir

Lake fishing  Colorado · 06:38 - 17:06

Blue Mesa Reservoir is a lake set in Colorado. The main target species are Walleye, Striped Bass and Rainbow Trout.

Prime 84% The bite right now
Top bet: Walleye Active through the night, water near its preferred 11 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.

Best day to fish

Tomorrow
77%
47°
Fri
84%
47°
Best day
Sat
74%
43°
Sun
74%
44°
Mon
74%
44°
Tue
74%
44°

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.)
51°F
Air temp
32°F
Wind
2 mph
Pressure
30.01 inHg ↓ falling
Clouds
59.0%

Water temperature is an estimate based on weather and season.

Best times today

Dawn 05:53–07:53 Dusk 15:51–17:51

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

Feeding times today

Waning crescent 30% lit
Major period 07:17–09:17 Major period 19:17–21:17 Minor period 01:14–02:44 Minor period 13:50–15:20

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

04:00
32°
05:00
32°
06:00
32°
07:00
32°
08:00
36°
09:00
39°
10:00
42°
11:00
45°
12:00
47°
13:00
47°
14:00
47°
15:00
46°

Likely catch now (15 species)

Walleye
Sander vitreus
84%
Active through the night, water near its preferred 11 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.
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Striped Bass
Morone saxatilis
41%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 11 degrees, peak season, falling pressure ahead of weather.
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Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
28%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 11 degrees, falling pressure ahead of weather.
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Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
22%
Slow during the night, falling pressure ahead of weather.
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Common Carp
Cyprinus carpio
15%
Active through the night, off season, falling pressure ahead of weather.
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Brown Trout
Salmo trutta
15%
Slow during the night, water near its preferred 11 degrees, falling pressure ahead of weather.
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About the fishing here

Popular catches here include Walleye, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Muskellunge, Common Carp and Brown Trout.

For Walleye, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn 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 soft-plastic jig for walleye, the most likely catch right now.
Timing This is a prime window for walleye at night. Fish hard now.
Colour Low light: try chartreuse, orange or firetiger for walleye.
Lure Soft-plastic jig for walleye: Jig with worm or plastic.
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 Walleye, Striped Bass, Rainbow Trout, Muskellunge, Common Carp, Brown Trout, Brook Trout and Blue Catfish.

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 Walleye, the fishing tends to peak around Apr-May, Oct-Nov. The best windows are usually dawn and dusk.

What is biting at Blue Mesa Reservoir right now?

Right now Walleye is the most likely catch, at about 85%.