Blue Mesa Reservoir Fishing Trips – Kokanee Salmon, Trophy Lake Trout & More

Located in Curecanti National Recreation Area, Blue Mesa Reservoir is the largest body of water in Colorado, stretching over 20 miles long with 96 miles of shoreline and depths exceeding 340 feet. It’s a legendary destination for kokanee salmon, trophy lake trout, yellow perch, and rainbow and brown trout — all surrounded by dramatic high-desert mesas and alpine peaks.

Whether you’re looking for open water trolling, ice fishing in winter, or a summer adventure in Gunnison County, Blue Mesa offers something for every angler.

Kokanee Salmon – A Blue Mesa Specialty

Blue Mesa is renowned as Colorado’s premier kokanee salmon fishery, with millions of fish stocked annually. Our trips target kokanee using various exciting methods throughout the year:

Kokanee Fishing Timeline:

Trolling: Mid-May through late July
Vertical Jigging: Late July through early September
Snagging Season: Early November
Ice Fishing: January through mid-March

We allow clients to keep their full limit of 5 kokanee per person, and we’re happy to share our favorite salmon recipes—they rival any ocean-caught variety!

Trophy Lake Trout (Mackinaw) – Blue Mesa

Trophy Lake Trout (Mackinaw) – Catch a Giant

Blue Mesa has produced state records for lake trout up to 50 lbs! Our guided trips are tailored for either high-volume jigging or chasing trophy fish over 30 lbs.

Fishing Seasons:

Quantity Trips (Sub-24”): Mid-April through July, and again during the ice season (Jan–mid March)
Trophy Trips: Mid-April through May, and again in winter (Jan–mid March)
Methods: Primarily vertical jigging, with trolling as needed

There’s no bag limit under 32″, but we recommend a sustainable harvest of up to 4 fish under 24″ per person. All trophy fish are released after measurement and photos.

📌 Note: Trophy lake trout boat trips are priced separately.

Yellow Perch – Action Fishing & Excellent Eating

Illegally introduced in the ’90s, yellow perch are now abundant and make for fun, fast-paced trips. Catch rates can exceed 100 fish/day!

Best Perch Seasons:

Boat Fishing: June through October
Ice Fishing: December through mid-March

Perch range from 4–12″ and are considered top-tier table fare. Clients may keep unlimited perch; we clean up to 5 per person.

Rainbow & Brown Trout – Year-Round Action

Rainbow and brown trout thrive in Blue Mesa. Average sizes are 14–16″, with many exceeding 18–22″. We catch them by:

Casting to shorelines (especially spring and fall)
Trolling (often while targeting kokanee)
Ice Fishing (steady action from Dec–mid March)

Best Times for Shoreline Casting:

Mid-April to early June
October through November

Daily bag limit: 4 trout (combined species).

Where is Blue Mesa Reservoir?

Located just 15 minutes west of Gunnison, Blue Mesa is easily reached from major cities and offers plenty of nearby amenities.

Travel Times:

Gunnison, CO: 15 minutes
Denver: 3 hours 42 minutes
Colorado Springs: 3 hours 18 minutes
Grand Junction: 2 hours 28 minutes

Airports: Fly into Gunnison, Denver, Montrose, or Colorado Springs and enjoy a scenic drive to the lake. Lodging is available in Gunnison or in lakeside cabins (spring/summer).