The 5 Best Fishing Waters Around Grand County

From small mountain creeks to deep reservoirs and major rivers, Grand County offers anglers remarkably varied water within a relatively compact region. Fly fishing, shoreline casting, trolling and ice fishing all have a place here, with trout and other cold-water species drawing anglers throughout the year. These waters, honored in the Best of Grand contest, showcase the range of fishing opportunities found across the county's rivers, lakes and backcountry streams.

Colorado River

The Colorado River provides a mix of riffles, deep pools and slower meadow sections as it travels through Grand County. Major reaches are known as Gold Medal trout waters, with habitat supporting brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout. Fly and wade anglers frequent the river through spring, summer and fall, while resource agencies work to maintain habitat, flows and public access.

Fraser River

Flowing through Winter Park, Fraser and Tabernash before joining the Colorado River near Granby, the Fraser River offers accessible fishing close to several communities. Wild brown and rainbow trout inhabit pocket water, shallow runs and undercut banks that can accommodate experienced anglers as well as people learning to fly fish. The river is also an important focus of regional cold-water conservation and habitat work.

Lake Granby

Lake Granby's size and depth create fishing opportunities distinctly different from the county's rivers and smaller lakes. The reservoir supports kokanee salmon and lake trout, along with rainbow and brown trout, with anglers taking to the water for boat trolling and shoreline fishing during warmer months and ice fishing in winter. Located within the Arapaho National Recreation Area, the lake also has public boating infrastructure supporting its recreational use.

Saint Louis Creek Trail

Saint Louis Creek offers small-stream fishing along the Saint Louis Creek Trail in the Arapaho National Forest near Fraser. Brook, brown and rainbow trout can be found among pocket water, pools and natural logjams in the forested creek corridor. Its smaller scale provides an alternative for anglers interested in technical, light-tackle fishing away from larger waterways.

Willow Creek Reservoir

Willow Creek Reservoir offers a quieter fishing setting north of Granby, with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout among the species found in its waters. Low-speed boating conditions make the roughly 300-acre reservoir suitable for fishing from kayaks, canoes and float tubes as well as from shore. Its calmer setting provides an alternative to Grand County's larger and busier reservoirs.

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