Fishing

Gunnison County's population is mostly fish. Our rivers, streams, ponds and lakes present the very best fishing in the central Rocky Mountains. With three million new fish released each year from hatcheries and hundreds of miles of waterways to select from, the Gunnison Country is a fisherman's heaven. Four characteristics distinguish it many other areas:

Quantity and diversity of water- Besides Colorado's largest man-made lake (Blue Mesa), the Gunnison Country boasts several other scenic reservoirs, three classic rivers, a number of streams and countless alpine lakes and beaver ponds, plus a kids' fishing lake and fish hatchery ponds for "lawn chair fishing."

Escape from the crowds- The fish are everywhere, but the humans aren't. With so much publicly-accessible prime fishing, everyone can have their own private fishing spot.

Diversity of fish- You might catch the extra-tasty kokanee salmon or brown, rainbow, cutthroat, brook, or mackinaw (lake) trout.

Strong fly hatches- With their healthy insect hatches, the area's waters entice fly fishermen July through early November.

The Gunnison area provides a variety of waters for anglers of all persuasions. Small streams, big rivers, alpine lakes and big reservoirs offer numerous fishing opportunities.

In the high country, anglers can ply the waters for brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout with lightweight fly-fishing gear or spinning tackle. Few experiences compare to wading a cold, clear stream in a high valley on a brilliant summer day.

The area also is home to bigger rivers – the Gunnison, the Lake Fork and the Taylor. Some of the best brown trout fishing in the country can be found deep in the canyon of the Gunnison Gorge.

For those who prefer still waters, Blue Mesa Reservoir and Taylor Reservoir are favorites among Colorado anglers. Blue Mesa Reservoir is renowned for its lake trout, kokanee salmon and brown trout; Taylor is known for trout and northern pike.

For current regulations and costs or to purchase your license on line visit www.wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/.

Area fishing maps: www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gfo/recreation_information/fish/fish-areas.html

Ice Fishing

Don't be fooled; winter can bring the best fishing in the Gunnison Country. Fly fishermen catch huge rainbows in the catch-and-release area below Taylor Dam, where the water is still open and the fish are ravenous. Several lakes offer excellent ice fishing: Blue Mesa (rainbow and brown trout and kokanee salmon), Taylor (huge lake trout).

Hunting

Renowned for "big bucks", hunters travel to Gunnison from around the world every year to stalk the wiley mule deer. The number of licenses for mule deer is limited by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, consequently, lots of buck grow to maturity and sport trophy-quality racks.

The success rate is also high for hunters. Drawing a license in this high-quality area will take a few years, but for serious hunters looking for the trophy hunt of a lifetime, it's worth the wait.

Elk hunters also flock to the Gunnison area. Colorado is the only state where elk licenses are available over-the-counter right up to the day of hunting season.

Hunters should remember that big game hunting in Colorado's high country is challenging. Terrain is rugged, animals move into difficult areas when they start to feel hunting pressure, and the altitude requires being in good shape for both you and your horses. If you are unfamiliar with big game hunting, consider hiring a professional outfitter.

To apply for licenses, view the hunting areas or get a wildlife habitat stamp visit www.wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/.