Blue Mesa Reservoir CO fishing forecast
Blue Mesa Reservoir CO is a freshwater fishing spot in Colorado, United States. Anglers here target Kokanee Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout, Rainbow Trout. The most productive months are typically June, July, August, September, October.
Current conditions
| Sea surface temp | 22.0 °C |
|---|---|
| Wind | 23 km/h from SW |
| Pressure | 1013 hPa |
| Cloud cover | 0% |
The water is running true to season — within a few tenths of the July average of 22.0 °C for this location. The water is mixed to about 26.7 m, with the thermocline below that.
Last updated Jul 28, 2026 (UTC). Conditions refresh through the day.
What the score means at Blue Mesa Reservoir CO
Blue Mesa Reservoir CO currently scores 54 out of 100 (Good). Water temperature is 22.0 °C. 6 forecast signals are active in this score. As a rough guide, a score above ~65 reflects conditions experienced anglers would typically fish; below ~45, consider waiting for a better window or targeting different species. The score blends live weather and ocean signals and can change through the day.
Bite windows
Best months for Blue Mesa Reservoir CO:
About this spot
Lakes have no tide, so target structure, drop-offs, and seasonal thermoclines where fish concentrate by depth and temperature.
What you can catch
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Oncorhynchus nerka
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Salvelinus namaycush
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Salmo trutta
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Oncorhynchus mykiss
Best months by species at Blue Mesa Reservoir CO
| Kokanee SalmonOncorhynchus nerka | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake TroutSalvelinus namaycush | ||||||||||||
| Brown TroutSalmo trutta | ||||||||||||
| Rainbow TroutOncorhynchus mykiss |
Months reflect typical catchability by species at this latitude; local seasons and closures apply.
Local regulations
| Species | Bag limit | Min size | Open season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rainbow TroutStatewide Bag & Possession Limits | 4/day, 8 in possession | — | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| The 4-fish limit is an AGGREGATE across trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon and mountain whitefish (kokanee excepted) — not 4 of each. Many Colorado waters are stricter: on the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Dam and on the Gunnison River above the US 50 bridge, all rainbow trout must be released immediately, and fishing is by artificial flies and lures only. | |||
| Brown TroutStatewide Bag & Possession Limits | 4/day, 8 in possession | — | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| The 4-fish limit is an AGGREGATE across trout, Arctic char, grayling, salmon and mountain whitefish (kokanee excepted). Water-specific rules are stricter at several Colorado waters: on the Gunnison River between the East/Taylor confluence and the US 50 bridge the brown trout limit is two fish at a 16-inch minimum; on the Blue River below Coyne Valley Road all brown trout over 14 inches must be released and fishing is closed 15 September – 1 December. | |||
| Lake TroutStatewide Bag & Possession Limits | 4/day, 8 in possession | — | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Lake trout count inside the statewide 4-fish aggregate trout limit. BLUE MESA RESERVOIR IS THE EXCEPTION AND IS MORE GENEROUS, NOT LESS: there is no bag or possession limit for lake trout there, but no more than one lake trout over 32 inches may be taken per day. | |||
| Kokanee SalmonStatewide Bag & Possession Limits | 10/day, 10 in possession | — | Jan 1 – Dec 31 |
| Kokanee are excluded from the aggregate trout limit and have their own 10-fish limit, by angling, snagging or archery. Water-specific rules apply at the waters FishRadar covers: at Blue Mesa Reservoir the kokanee bag is 5 and the possession limit 10, with snagging permitted 1 November – 31 December; on the Gunnison River above Blue Mesa the taking of kokanee is PROHIBITED 1 August – 31 October. | |||
Licensing:
- freshwater-recreational — residents Resident adult annual (18–63) $44.87. Senior annual (64+) $12.96. Youth 16–17 $12.96. A 2026 Habitat Stamp ($12.76) is also required for anyone aged 18–64., non-residents Nonresident annual (16+) $124.01. Five-day $41.04. One-day $21.90.
FishRadar regulations are summaries for informational purposes only. The figures here are Colorado STATEWIDE limits from the 2026 Colorado Fishing brochure; a great many Colorado waters carry more restrictive rules under Chapter W-1 Article II, including several of the rivers and reservoirs on this site. Always check the water-specific entry in the current brochure (Special Regulations: Fishing Waters) before you fish.
Check Blue Mesa Reservoir CO before you go
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Nearby spots
Explore 5 more fishing spots within 168 km of Blue Mesa Reservoir CO.
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Gunnison River Colorado
Roaring Fork Colorado
Roaring Fork River CO
Fryingpan River CO
Blue River CO
Frequently asked questions
What fish can you catch at Blue Mesa Reservoir CO?
Anglers at Blue Mesa Reservoir CO target Kokanee Salmon, Lake Trout, Brown Trout and Rainbow Trout.
When is the best time to fish Blue Mesa Reservoir CO?
The most productive months at Blue Mesa Reservoir CO are typically June, July, August, September, October.
What is the fishing forecast for Blue Mesa Reservoir CO right now?
Blue Mesa Reservoir CO currently scores 54 out of 100, based on live ocean and weather conditions — see the full breakdown on this page.
Do you need a licence to fish Blue Mesa Reservoir CO?
Fishing at Blue Mesa Reservoir CO follows the local rules for Colorado, United States. Bag limits, size limits, seasons and licence requirements are summarised in the Local regulations section above, with a link to the official authority.
Fishing guides for this spot
- How to Catch Salmon: Kings, Coho, and SockeyeHow to Catch TroutBest Time of Day to Fish
Scores and conditions are forecasts for guidance only and can change rapidly. Always check local rules and current conditions, follow all fishing regulations, and prioritise your safety on the water.