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Hunting and Fishing in Colorado
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Jackson Lake State Park
The reservoir is open to boating and conditions are excellent.
Water temperature is 72 degrees. Fishing is good to excellent
for all species. Something for everyone -- white sand beaches,
excellent water skiing and fishing, an abundance of wildlife,
and great camping facilities all at Jackson Lake State Park,
eastern Colorado's water-sports oasis! Warm, sunny days abound
at Jackson Lake State Park, just 80 miles northeast of Denver
outside of Fort Morgan. Used to irrigate 17,000 acres of crops
in Morgan County the lake has become an eastern plains sports
oasis, offering outstanding water-based recreation. Jackson Lake
has naturally fine sand beaches, excellent walleye and bass
fishing and its uncrowded water skiing can't be beat! Colorado's
eastern plains are the lands of James Michener's Centennial, and
Jackson Lake State Park offers a beautiful introduction to this
unique aspect of the state. New boat ramp facilities make the
lake accessible to all watercraft. Hunters come to Jackson Lake
State Park for waterfowl, dove, pheasant and rabbit. Hunting in
the park is controlled and permitted from the Tuesday after
Labor Day through the Friday prior to Memorial Day. Only bow and
arrows and shotguns loaded with birdshot are allowed. Waterfowl
hunters must use steel shot. Hunting is allowed in designated
areas only -- please check with a ranger for further details. An
abundance of wildlife can be observed and photographed in the
park. This list includes pelicans, eagles, hawks, heron, deer,
coyote, waterfowl and numerous shore birds. For information
call: (970)645-2551
Pearl Lake State Park
Pearl Lake State Park is by far one of the most beautiful parks
in the Colorado State Park system. Nestled in the mountains
north of Steamboat Springs, Pearl Lake State Park offers peace
and quiet in a lush forest setting. The pace here is unhurried
and the scenery is magnificent. Surrounded by towering pines,
visitors camp along the lake and up a gentle hill, which is
deeper in the cozy woods. Excellent fly and lure fishing is
available at the park where native cutthroat trout flash their
dramatic red throats when pulled from the water. This incredibly
peaceful area is lush and green, a true escape from the
day-to-day routine. The use of firearms is prohibited in the
summer. However, hunting is permitted in limited areas during
legal seasons after Labor Day. The park also provides access to
the Routt National Forest. Contact the park for specific
information on hunting restrictions. For information call:
(970)879-3922
Vega State Park
Vega State Park is a beautiful, high-mountain lake that sits in
a glorious alpine meadow on the west edge of Grand Mesa National
Forest. Warm weather visitors are embraced by unexpected
sub-alpine beauty, mild temperatures and blue Colorado skies
characteristic of the park's 8,000 feet altitude. There are
several beautiful campgrounds in the park. And the lake offers
great boating, water skiing and fishing. Excellent ice fishing
and snowmobiling have made Vega State Park as popular with
winter visitors as with summer crowds. Visitors may access
trails atop Grand Mesa for hiking, trail biking and
four-wheeling in the summer, and cross-country skiing and
snowmobiling in the winter. Vega reservoir is about two miles
long when full. It is the largest body of water in the Grand
Valley region. Because Vega is about 2,000 feet lower in
elevation than Grand Mesa, it is the last reservoir to freeze in
the fall and the first to thaw in the spring. Few lakes anywhere
can surpass Vega reservoir as a trout fishery. For information
call: (970)487-3407
Highline State Park
An ideal base camp for exploring the Grand Junction area,
Highline Lake State Park is the center for water sports in the
Grand Valley of western Colorado. The park features shaded,
grassy areas and even maintained turf. Due to the park's low
elevation, it is an ideal getaway from early spring to late
fall. There are two beautiful lakes at the park. Highline Lake
is designated for water-skiers and boaters, and Mack Mesa Lake
is designated for wakeless boating only. Both lakes offer great
fishing. Great blue heron, white pelicans and whooping crane are
just a few of the migrating waterfowl that stop at the park. A
watchable wildlife migratory waterfowl overlook provides an
excellent spot from which to watch the park's wildlife,
especially during the winter, when thousands of ducks and geese
migrate through. The overview also provides an excellent view of
the surrounding area. Just 9 miles west of Grand Junction and
not far from the Utah border, this city-like park in a rural
setting is close to the Kokopelli Trail and Ruby Canyon. In
July, the Desert Sun Triathlon, which is a qualifier for the
Iron Man competition, is held in the park. Highline Lake State
Park is a great place to establish a base camp for mountain
biking and river rafting. Rainbow trout are stocked in both
lakes in spring and summer. Warm-water fish, such as bass and
catfish, are found in both lakes. Highline Lake has good
warm-water fishing, especially for catfish and crappie. Mack
Mesa is noted for its fine early season trout fishing. Only hand
or electric powered boats are allowed. Waterfowl hunting at
Highline Lake State Park is controlled. Information on seasons
and regulations are available from any park ranger or the local
Division of Wildlife office at (970) 248-7175. For information
call: (970)858-7208
Navajo State Park
Colorado's answer to Lake Powell, many visitors describe their
first view of Navajo Lake as "unbelievable!" This huge (15,000
surface-acre and 150 miles of shoreline) reservoir extends for
35 miles south into New Mexico. Fish for record-sized northern
pike or catfish in open waters without crowds. Camp on your boat
or enjoy beautiful lakeside camping with lots of trees. Gather
your family and friends and enjoy Navajo Lake from the comfort
of a houseboat. Explore three major rivers and sail or water-ski
on open waters. Take advantage of the opportunity to see
wildlife such as foxes, deer, grouse and turkeys in the midst of
one of Colorado's most historic and scenic areas. See
interesting artifacts of the Anasazi Indians at the Visitor
Center in a setting rich in local history. Waterfowl,
shorebirds, birds of prey (including the bald eagle), and
songbirds, such as waxwings, thrushes and meadowlarks, are found
at Navajo along with game birds like doves, grouse and turkeys.
Visitors may also see beaver, mink, foxes, deer, elk and
rabbits. In the remote areas it is possible to glimpse coyotes,
bobcats, black bears and mountain lions. Deer, elk and bird
hunting are permitted here in established seasons. Check with
the park office for information on seasons and regulations,
(970) 883-2208. Catfish, crappie and smallmouth bass swim in the
shallows and near the lake surface. Kokanee salmon, northern
pike and many varieties of trout are found in deep waters.
Whether fishing from a boat or from a remote shoreline, fishing
is great at Navajo State Park! Check with the marina or the
visitor center for the current fishing report. If you plan to
test the waters across the state line, be sure to pick up your
New Mexico fishing license at the marina. For information call:
(970)883-2208
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