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Cutthroat Anglers Owner Trapper Rudd with fish

River & Lake Information

Local Still Water

For a change of pace, you can turn your focus to still water fishing. Spinney and Delaney are the two most renowned trout lakes in the area; however, there are few other options for Summit County anglers.

Georgetown Dam Lake

The Georgetown Dam Lake is a great place to cast a fly. Located in Georgetown, anglers should take the Georgetown I-70 exit. The lake is fed from Clear Creek and is home to many nice sized trout that cruise the shallows for unsuspecting baitfish. This lake also plays host to an automobile race every winter when the lake is frozen solid.

Lake Dillon

Lake Dillon sits just south of the Silverthorne and can be seen while driving between Silverthorne and Frisco. Anglers should mainly concentrate their efforts on the inlets of the Blue River, Ten Mile Creek, and the Snake River.

Each respective inlet tends to fish best during the early and late periods of the fishing season. Lake Dillon is a classic example of how the "put and take" mentality and stocking can ruin a fishery. Lake Dillon used to be a great Brown Trout fishery, but the release of sucker minnows by uneducated fishermen, along with other factors, has destroyed the food chain in the Lake. The State tried to keep everyone happy by stocking catchable Rainbow Trout, but no longer are able to due to Whirling Disease.

Officer's Gulch

Another option is Officer’s Gulch, nestled between Frisco and Copper Mountain. Take the Officer’s Gulch exit off of I-70 and park in the designated area north of the highway. This can be a great place for beginners to learn to cast and fight a fish. If you have young anglers who need to catch a fish, this is great option.

Copper Ponds

Sitting on both sides on I-70 at the Copper Mountain Exit you will find the Copper Ponds. These ponds are best accessed by parking in the designated area immediately before the Copper Mountain exit ramp. Unstable footing due to the wetlands area can make access a hassle, but the rewards can be substantial. Local anglers have been rumored to catch brown trout over ten pounds; however, trout around 14 inches are to be expected.

Black Lakes

Black Lakes are located at the summit of Vail Pass on the south side of the interstate. The two lakes are easily accessible from a parking lot at the Vail Pass summit. Mountain views are unparalleled, but due to the high exposure caution should be used when inclement weather approaches.

Hight Mountian Lakes

There are also numerous high mountain lakes that require a hike to access. These lakes are usually not a good option early in the summer because the trail make still be covered in snow or the lake may yet to be clear of ice. Towards the end of June, the action near tree line begins to heat up. Wheeler Lakes, Willow Lakes, and Boulder Lakes are just a few examples of high mountain lakes in the Gore Range.

Any of these still waters can boil in the evenings with countless fish rising to take dry flies. A small midge is usually the answer, but you can also encounter small caddis and calibaetis (Stillwater mayflies). If no risers are present, a dry-dropper set up is most effective. Stillwater fly fishing is most productive when you can spot the fish cruising in the shallows and lead them by a few feet with your cast.