This post is also available in: 
English
Français
Deutsch
日本語
The lower section of the Colorado River provides fishing opportunities year round, with Spring through Fall being the most productive. It is important to note, as the River flows west, the water temperatures increase, and one can find warm water fish, including Smallmouth Bass, Catfish and the common Carp. Float fishing becomes the key to this section of the River.
Colorado River from the I-70 Bridge at Rifle downstream to the Utah state line:
Fish: Channel Catfish, Common Carp Access: Easy Boating: Motor Boats
Additional Info: Fishing the Colorado River from I-70 Exit Bridge at Rifle downstream to the Utah State Line.
Fishing Regulations: -There is no bag limit for Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Bullhead, Yellow Perch or Crappie.
[wpgmza id=”80″]
Rifle Lions Club Pond- elevation 5,305 feet
Fish: Common Carp, Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Non-motorized
Colorado River from I-70 Exit Bridge at Rifle downstream to the Utah State Line: 
Fishing Regulations: -There is no bag limit for Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Bullhead, Yellow Perch or Crappie.
Parachute Ponds State Wildlife Area- elevation 5,063 feet
Fish: Common Carp, Channel Catfish
Access: Easy
Boating: Non-motorized
Parachute Ponds SWA Map
Battlement Mesa Reservoir 7- elevation 10,230 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Access: Diffiuclt
Boating: Non-motorized
W & G Reservoir- elevation 10,194 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: Non-motorized
Battlement Mesa Reservoir 3- elevation 10,168 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: Non-motorized
Battlement Mesa Reservoir 1- elevation 10,171 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Access: Difficult
Boating: Non-motorized
Buzzard Creek- elevation 7,890 feet
Fish: Brook Trout, Cutthroat Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
Vega State Park- elevation 7,968 feet 
Fish: Brook Trout, Brown Trout, Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout, Snake River Cutthroat Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Motor Boats
Fishing Regulations:
-Underwater spearfishing can be used for Northern Pike or Carp (when present), regulations are issued by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife.
-Underwater spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach, or dam infrastructure. Vega State Park Guide
Park Creek- elevation 8,847 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
Leon Creek- elevation 8,524 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na
Jerry Creek Reservoir 2- elevation 5,387 feet
Fish: Brown Trout, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Green Sunfish
Access: Difficult
Boating: na
Additional Info:
-Fishing is with flies and lures only. Scented flies or lures may be used on this water if they are 1.5 inches or longer.
-The use of float tubes with chest high waders is allowed. -All fish must be returned to the water immediately upon catching.
Jerry Creek and Morgensen Ponds SWA
Jerry Creek Reservoir 1- elevation 5,387 feet
Fish: Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill
Access: Difficult
Boating: na
Additional Info:
-Fishing is with flies and lures only. Scented flies or lures may be used on this water if they are 1.5 inches or longer.
-The use of float tubes with chest high waders is allowed. -All fish must be returned to the water immediately upon catching.
Jerry Creek and Morgensen Ponds SWA
Morgensen Ponds 1, 2 & 3- elevation 5,196 feet
Fish: Green Sunfish, Largemouth Bass, Bluegill
Access: Medium
Boating: Non-motorized
Jerry Creek and Morgensen Ponds SWA
Old Orchard-James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park (Island Acres)- elevation 4,757 feet
Fish: Bluegill, Black Bullhead, Rainbow Trout, Green Sunfish
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
Roans Pothole- elevation 4,757 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout, Black Bullhead, Bluegill, Green Sunfish
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park, Island Acres Section
Additional Info: – Underwater spearfishing may be used for fishing Northern Pike or Carp, when present, in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.
-Underwater Spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach or dam infrastructure.
-Fishing the Colorado River from I-70 Exit Bridge at Rifle downstream to the Utah State Line:
Fishing Regulations -There is no bag limit for Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Bullhead, Yellow Perch or Crappie.
James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park, Island Acres Section
Riverbend Park Pond- elevation 4,688 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Colorado River(Palisade)- elevation 4,682 feet
Fish: Channel Catfish, Common Carp
Access: Easy
Boating: Motor Boats
Additional Info: Fishing the Colorado River from I-70 Exit Bridge at Rifle downstream to the Utah State Line:
Fishing Regulations -There is no bag limit for Channel Catfish, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Northern Pike, Walleye, Green Sunfish, Bluegill, Bullhead, Yellow Perch or Crappie.
Clifton Nature Park Pond- elevation 4,623 feet
Fish: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Common Carp, Black Crappie, Green Sunfish
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Corn Lake, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park- elevation 4,616 feet
Fish: Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Common Carp, Black Bullhead, Bulegill, Green Sunfish, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
Corn Lake, James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park
Additional Info: -Underwater spearfishing may be used for fishing Northern Pike or Carp, when present, in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.
-Underwater Spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach or dam infrastructure.
Duke Lake-James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park- elevation 4,537 feet
Fish: Largemouth Bass, Common Carp, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Green Sunfish
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
Additional Info: -The bag and possession limit for Largemouth Bass is two fish with a minimum size of 18 inches.
-Underwater spearfishing may be used for fishing Northern Pike or Carp, when present, in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.
-Underwater Spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach or dam infrastructure.
James M. Robb- Colorado River State Park, Connected Lakes
Connected Lakes-James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park- elevation 4,533 feet
Fish: Black Bullhead, Black Crappie, Largemouth Bass, Common Carp, Bluegill, Green Sunfish
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
Additional Info: -Smallmouth Bass and Walleye can negatively impact the recovery of native fishes. Anglers can help Colorado Parks and Wildlife by keeping their legal bag limit.
-The bag and possession limit for Largemouth Bass is two fish with a minimum size of 18 inches.
-Underwater spearfishing may be used for fishing Northern Pike or Carp, when present, in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.
-Underwater Spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach or dam infrastructure.
James M. Robb- Colorado River State Park, Connected Lakes
Fruita Red Rocks Lake-James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park- elevation 4,473 feet
Fish: Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Black Crappie, Rainbow Trout, Green Sunfish
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
Additional Info: -Underwater spearfishing may be used for fishing Northern Pike or Carp, when present, in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.
-Underwater Spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach or dam infrastructure.
James M. Robb-Colorado River State Park- Fruita Section
Snooks Bottom Lake- elevation 4,473 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
Highline Lake State Park- elevation 4,693 feet
Fish: Common Carp, Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Yellow Perch, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Motor Boats
Additional Info: -Smallmouth Bass and Northern Pike can negatively impact the recovery of native fishes. Anglers can help Colorado Parks and Wildlife by keeping their legal bag limit.
Highline Lake State Park Brochure
Highline Lake Bookcliff Campground Map
Highline Lake Small Game Hunting Area Map
Additional Info: The bag and possession limit for Largemouth Bass is two fish with a minimum size of 15 inches.
-Underwater spearfishing may be used for fishing Northern Pike or Carp, when present, in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.
-Underwater Spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach or dam infrastructure.
Mac Mesa Lake-Highline Lake State Park- elevation 4,733 feet
Fish: Common Carp, Yellow Perch, Largemouth Bass, Channel Catfish, Black Crappie, Bluegill, Green Sunfish, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
Additional Info: -Smallmouth Bass and Walleye can negatively impact the recovery of native fishes. Anglers can help Colorado Parks and Wildlife by keeping their legal bag limit.
-The bag and possession limit for Largemouth Bass is two fish with a minimum size of 15 inches.
-Underwater spearfishing may be used for fishing Northern Pike or Carp, when present, in accordance with Colorado Parks and Wildlife regulations.
-Underwater Spearfishing is prohibited within 100 feet of any marina, boat ramp, swim beach or dam infrastructure.
Fruita Reservoir 3- elevation 8,980 feet
Fish:Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: Non-motorized
Fruita Reservoir 2- elevation 8,835 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Non-motorized
Fruita Reservoir 1- elevation 9,146 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Non-motorized
Enochs Lake- elevation 8,905 feet
Fish: Cutthroat Trout, Rainbow Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: Electric
West Creek- elevation 5,507 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout, Brown Trout
Access: Easy
Boating: na
Additional Info: -From the Colorado Hwy 141 Bridge downstream for 5 miles to the confluence of Ute Creek; the bag and possession limit for trout is 2 fish.
North Fork West Creek- elevation 6,173 feet
Fish: Rainbow Trout, Brook Trout
Access: Medium
Boating: na