Nestled in Gunnison County north of Almont, Crested Butte is bursting with so much scenic beauty that the charming mountain town has earned avid fans not just from Colorado but around the world. It’s a place where every outdoor recreational activity you can think of is vastly improved by the surreal grandeur of the area’s mountain-packed surroundings, and fishing is no exception.
Between Crested Butte’s unmatched natural scenery and its bountiful offerings of alpine lakes, rivers, and reservoirs, it’s easily one of Colorado’s most rewarding and exciting fishing destinations. From quaint mountain lakes that are perfect for easy, uncomplicated fishing trips to exciting rivers that take skill and experience to finesse, check out the following recommendations if you’re in the area with a hankering to fish.
List of the fishing lakes and rivers by Crested Butte, Almont and Gunnison, CO:
Peanut Lake, a 15 minute walk from downtown Crested Butte. Photo by: Ernie
Just outside of town sits Peanut Lake, a popular local destination for hiking and fishing. A trip here is essentially fishing on easy mode, with much of the lake positioned near the road and much of the water being easily accessible and ideal for casting from shore.
[Brook and Brown Trout](https://fishbrain.com/fishing-waters/URtoYeZX/peanut-lake#:~:text=Peanut Lake is a lake,catches are logged on Fishbrain.&text=Get water depth of Peanut Lake and insights from other anglers.) are known to frequent these waters, and this is an ideal spot to bring young children who are learning how to fish. Diehard fishing enthusiasts will want to look for more challenging and less crowded places to fish, but this is an excellent option if you want to stay close to town.
Lost Lake Slough and Ruby Mountain Range, Gunnison NF. Photo: Frank Kehren
FYI, this recommendation is for a couple of immaculate mountain lakes and has nothing to do with the hip music venue on Colfax in Denver. Located an hour’s drive west of Crested Butte, these gorgeous, uncrowded lakes are well worth the drive.
The Lost Lake Campground provides direct access to Lost Lake Slough, and a manageable hike will take you to Lost Lake to the south. Getting to these lakes is relatively quick and easy, but with how beautiful this spot is, it’s worth camping here over a summer weekend or during the fall if you want to enhance your fishing trip with euphoric bursts of color.
Taylor River near Almont, Colo. Photo: Michael Akerman
The section of the Taylor River spanning from the reservoir of its namesake to the confluence of the East and Gunnison Rivers south of town is by all accounts a beautiful and promising place to fish. This part of the river is filled with large boulders that slow the water down and provide spots that are known to be favored by Cutthroat and Rainbow Trout.
However, according to the fish fanatics at DIYfishing.com, fishing the section of the river north of the reservoir offers some of the best high altitude stream fishing in the state, and this area is said to be brimming with Brook Trout. The closest access to this part of the Taylor River is located a little more than an hour’s drive east of town, but if you’re serious about your fishing, this spot is well worth the drive and not to be missed.
Ice fisherman on Blue Mesa Reservoir. Photo: Larry Lamsa