Reservoir · Gunnison, Colorado
Blue Mesa Reservoir at Elk Creek Marina
Location Snapshot
Blue Mesa Reservoir at Elk Creek Marina is a large Colorado high-country reservoir with deep coldwater basins, rocky shorelines, and expansive open-water structure. Lake trout are the defining target, with rainbow trout adding a major secondary trout fishery.
Current Lake Rating
Unavailable
A condition rating is not available from the current lake evidence.
Rating confidence: Low
Should I Go?
Not Enough Data
Fishing guidance for this destination based on available lake conditions, weather, and seasonal context. It is not a boating, swimming, ice, or access-safety rating.
Why
- Not enough current water information is available to recommend a reliable fishing window
- Live water observations could not be retrieved at this time.
Current Readings
Key lake readings are not available right now.
Better Nearby Options
Checking nearby StrikeTracks waters…
Weather Near Lake
Current Weather
Clear
Temperature
56°F
Feels like
48°F
Wind
9 mph W
Wind gust
13 mph
Current precipitation
0.00 in
Updated
Oct 20, 2026, 6:15 PM
Recent Rainfall
Estimated precipitation near this lake
Last 6 hours
0.00 in
Last 24 hours
0.00 in
Last 48 hours
0.00 in
Little recent rainfall near this lake.
Next 24 Hours
Tue 8 PM
Overcast
Temp 51°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 7 mph
Wed 12 AM
Overcast
Temp 47°F
Chance 0%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 4 AM
Overcast
Temp 42°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 4 mph
Wed 8 AM
Overcast
Temp 40°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 1 mph
Wed 12 PM
Overcast
Temp 60°F
Chance 1%
Precip 0.00 in
Wind 2 mph
Wed 4 PM
Drizzle
Temp 58°F
Chance 13%
Precip 0.02 in
Wind 7 mph
Four-Day Forecast
Tue, Oct 20
Overcast
High 63°F / Low 37°F
Chance 4%
Precip 0.00 in
Max gust 12 mph
Wed, Oct 21
Rain
High 63°F / Low 40°F
Chance 32%
Precip 0.11 in
Max gust 16 mph
Thu, Oct 22
Rain
High 51°F / Low 46°F
Chance 87%
Precip 0.44 in
Max gust 16 mph
Fri, Oct 23
Rain
High 61°F / Low 45°F
Chance 87%
Precip 0.10 in
Max gust 18 mph
Weather and rainfall are estimated for this lake's coordinates. Local conditions can vary, especially in mountainous terrain and during isolated storms.
Recent rainfall can influence lake level and access, but the timing and magnitude depend on watershed size, soil conditions, and reservoir operations where applicable.
Weather data: Open-Meteo
Reservoir Elevation History
Elevation is reported relative to the datum used by this USGS monitoring site. Elevations from different lakes or datums should not be directly compared.
Loading historical elevation…
Fishery Profile
Documented species you may encounter at Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Species images are AI-generated illustrations for visual reference and may simplify natural variation. Fishery records are based on the cited agency sources. About fish illustrations
Fishery overview
Lake trout are primary and wild in Blue Mesa Reservoir at Elk Creek Marina. Rainbow trout are common and stocked.
Target species

Lake Trout
Salvelinus namaycush
- Expectation
- Primary
- Population
- Wild
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- High confidence
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Rainbow Trout
Oncorhynchus mykiss
- Expectation
- Common
- Population
- Stocked
- Native status
- introduced
- Confidence
- Medium confidence
Source: Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Fishery characteristics
- Composition
- Mixed wild and stocked
- Great Lakes tributary
- No
- Flow regime
- Mixed flow regime
Best seasons
- Spring
- Summer
- Fall
- Winter
Common techniques
- Boat fishing
- Shore fishing
- Spinning
- Trolling
Stocking information
Rainbow trout are stocked in Blue Mesa Reservoir at Elk Creek Marina.
- Stocked
Rainbow Trout
Stocked · Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Official sources
Hatch Match
General fly suggestions
- Midge larvaGeneral stillwater midge-style family — not a live Chironomidae Hatch claim.
- Woolly-bugger-style streamerGeneral stillwater streamer family. Not a baitfish or kokanee Hatch event.
- Ant or beetleGeneral shoreline terrestrial family — not a local Hatch calendar.
These are general fishing suggestions, not a report of insects currently hatching at this destination.
Location and Access
Cataloged lake location
Gunnison, Colorado
The map marker represents the cataloged waterbody or monitoring location and may not indicate legal parking or public access. Confirm access through the official information before visiting.
Lake Details
County
Gunnison
Management Category
Quality Water reservoir
Regulation Scope
Blue Mesa Reservoir at Elk Creek Marina / Curecanti NRA.
Regulation Summary
Blue Mesa: lake trout special limits; kokanee bag/possession and seasonal snagging as in the 2026 CPW brochure.
Target Species
Lake Trout, Rainbow Trout
Public Access
Public
