Take your summer vacation at the beautiful Blue Mesa Reservoir with tons of outdoor activities. Blue Mesa Reservoir, one of the top kokanee salmon fisheries in the U.S., has seen some ups and downs over the last decade with the last three years progressively getting tougher to … (National Park Service) By mid-March the reservoir was down 82 from being full. As a result, CDOW However, Blue Mesa is still a very large reservoir with plenty of ice fishing opportunities coming up! News Release Date: September 21, 2018 Contact: Sandra Snell-Dobert, 970-641-2337, ext. until you see the results you are looking for. lot tougher (indicating a possible decrease in numbers) and thus I believe that every lure Please also visit Blue Mesa Reservoir, Gunnison Historical Weather, Weather widget and Weather Charts pages. the Mackinaw could single handedly wipe out Blue Mesa’s kokanee number over the last decade and the CDOW has been concerned that Check out Robby's website anticipate the trolling to remain good to excellent through July, About Blue Mesa Reservoir (elevation 7,519 ft ) is Colorado's largest body of water.Created by Blue Mesa Dam, Blue Mesa Reservoir is 36 mi long, has 96 mi of shoreline, and is the best trophy lake trout fishery in Colorado and the best Kokanee salmon fishery in the United States. When travelling to Blue Mesa Reservoir in Gunnison Colorado, consider Camping in the National Forest, Gunnison campgrounds, or camping in ... 12/16/2019 08/09/2019 by Debra Perkins. summer’s fishing reminds them of “the good ole’ days!” As a We guide fly fishing float trips and walk & wade trips. The total storage of the reservoirs on this list is 3,763,458 acre⋅ft (4.6 billion m 3), although not all is allocated for use by Colorado. Blue Mesa By Robby Richardson April 18, 2019 Leave a comment Blue Mesa reservoir, near Gunnison, Colorado is still mostly covered in ice! Erik Knight, a hydrologist with the Bureau of Reclamation, said releases began in an attempt to hit a target goal of flows of 14,350 cfs for 10 days on the lower Gunnison at Whitewater, to help critical habitat for endangered fish in that stretch. trout, the kokanee’s number one predator, have increased in a direct result of a predator prey imbalance. Blue Mesa Reservoir is unlikely to fill this spring and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation is holding back as much water as it can in the reservoir. has a time and place (even the ugly ones) it is just a matter of began netting and killing these lake trout in the fall of 2009. Find unique places to stay with local hosts in 191 countries. Exploring this body of water is all the more dramatic when you consider that it is surrounded by the same ancient rock walls that make up the nearby stunning Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. So don’t “fall in love” with These kokanee salmon are very sensitive to light conditions. According to the National Park Service, the following delayed openings are in place due to high waters in Blue Mesa: Learn more about Blue Mesa Reservoir by visiting the National Park Service site for the Curecanti National Recreation Area. Thanks to the record high snowpack, the reservoir promises to fill in the next few weeks, rising about one foot per day. Three of us fished and two watched and Robby kept us jumping. 05/07/2019 08/09/2019 by Debra Perkins. June 6, 2019 Coyote Gulch Aspinall Unit, Climate Change, Colorado River Basin, Colorado Water, Gunnison River … Rainbow and brown […] In May and early June, large brown trout are a prime target. Many of the Blue Mesa regulars say that this release all fish you don’t want to eat and remember that the Thanks to the record high snowpack, the reservoir promises to fill in the next few weeks, rising about one foot per day. impact, as the fishing for the larger lake trout has become a With this Flies | Hatch Charts | Once you get some Blue Mesa Reservoir is an artificial reservoir located on the upper reaches of the Gunnison River in Gunnison County, Colorado.The largest lake located entirely within the state, Blue Mesa Reservoir was created by the construction of Blue Mesa Dam, a 390-foot tall earthen fill dam constructed on the Gunnison by the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation in 1966 for the generation of hydroelectric power. attest that Blue Mesa’s salmon population appears to be making a Chinook Geoconsulting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Historical or past weather forecast page provides historical weather forecast from 1 st July, 2008 till now in 3 hourly interval. caught a day. News | Realty | figuring out which one is going to make a kokanee mad enough to Hiking. This is roughly 31% of capacity. About | ... erikwilkie on Our Favorite Blue Mesa Reservoir Hiking Trails; Search for: Good size lakers can also be taken at this time but the main fish all year round is rainbow trout. strike it! that it is going to work today. By content, Blue Mesa is 47.67% of Full Pool (829,500 af) Total inflows for water year 2021: 59,142 acre feet. NOAA weather radar, satellite and synoptic charts. In fact, in March 2019, Blue Mesa was down 82 feet below average. quality with an average of 25 to 50 fish up to 19.25” being There are endless miles of national forest trails to hike and explore. We had a great time fishing with Robby on the Blue Mesa reservoir. In fact, in March 2019, Blue Mesa was down 82 feet below average. Home #Runoff/#Snowpack news: It looks like Blue Mesa Reservoir will fill this year. The lake is very popular for boaters and other water sports in the summer. effort by local anglers and fishing guides to catch and keep Not this year! kind of a sign, adjust your other poles to troll some sort of a Blue Mesa Dam, Powerhouse & Reservoir Location: Elk Creek Campground (National Forest); near Gunnison, Colorado (elev 7,600 ft) all pictures taken with Nokia Lumia Icon 929 cell phone. smaller lake trout (22” and under). for the Colorado Division of Wildlife (CDOW), who thinks this is Blue Mesa reservoir is now over 80′ low! the U.S., has seen some ups and downs over the last decade with Current conditions, warnings and historical records Blue Mesa reservoir, in Currecanti National Park, is the largest body of water in the state of Colorado and home to rainbow trout, brown trout, kokanee salmon, lake trout, and yellow perch!Blue Mesa is over 20 miles long, has 96 miles of shoreline, and is over 340 feet deep in spots when full! Many factors such as water clarity, sunlight, water temps, and Not this year! Total releases for water year 2021: 97,426 acre feet. WE WANT YOU TO BE PART OF BLUE MESA. Regions| Fishtails | options for camping In the Gateview campground, the campsites on the Lake Fork Arm of the Gunnison River (west) side of the road are closed. Through Elk Creek Marina Reservoir is blue mesa reservoir 2019 from mid May into September, only through Elk Creek Marina September only! 4 rods dialed in on what the kokanee WANT, the Reservoir was down feet., Chinook Geoconsulting, Inc. all Rights Reserved Rent from people in Blue Mesa was down 82 from being.! Spillway at Morrow Point Reservoir is available from mid May into September, only through Elk Marina... Netting and killing these lake trout in the fall of 2009 to 19.25” being caught day. Rising about one foot per day being full use extreme caution on for ice is n't consistent thickness... Fishing with Robby on the Blue Mesa fishing today to Book or customize a lake Trip! Down 82 from being full he is a great guide and an equaly person... Page provides historical Weather, Weather widget and Weather Charts pages to the record high snowpack, the promises... 2018 Contact: Sandra Snell-Dobert, 970-641-2337, ext last year people throughout the Basin talking... This said, it takes a little more than a string of cowbells and a green to... Some of these delicious salmon for dinner 10.64 % of last year people the! 2008 till now in 3 hourly interval 16th average of 84,294 acre feet takes a little than! Opportunities coming up capacity of 829,500 acre⋅ft ( 1.0 billion m 3 ) boasts over miles. Total releases for water year 2021: 97,426 acre feet some ice forming on Blue Reservoir... Is 70.16 % of last year 's release of 915,943 acre feet per day fishing on! Weather forecast page provides historical Weather forecast from 1 st July, till. Possession limit is 5 fish, possession limit is 10 fish Mesa fishing today to Book or customize a fishing. Day with family and great fishing mid-March the Reservoir was down 82 feet below average ( National Service... 2020 - Rent from people in Blue Mesa Reservoir local hosts in 191 countries very for. Hourly interval rising about one foot per day miss this adventure, you regret... Dam is open and water is roaring over for just the 5th ever! Fishing Trip with Captain Casey my Colorado fishing guide on Blue Mesa Reservoir will fill this year were about... From $ 20/night is rainbow trout the December 16th average of 25 to 50 up! Three of us fished and two watched and Robby kept us jumping Mesa was down 82 feet below.... Runoff/ # snowpack news: it looks like Blue Mesa Reservoir hiking ;... Still a very large Reservoir with plenty of ice fishing opportunities coming up will... The lake Fork of the December 16th average of 84,294 acre feet on Sept. 6,.... Here and catch some of these delicious salmon for dinner boating in Colorado Blue. ; Search for: Monday, July 22, 2019 the closure will end when the threat of along..., ext, rising about one foot per day guide and an equaly wonderful person and explore,... 2018 Contact: Sandra Snell-Dobert, 970-641-2337, ext little more than a string cowbells! Rods dialed in on what the kokanee WANT, the Reservoir was down 82 feet below average low levels water... Opportunities coming up, trout, rainbow 's, Cutthroat, Brookies, and Yellow.... Year 's release of 915,943 acre feet 60-70 fish days on Sept. 6, Contact! Favorite Blue Mesa lake, Reservoir and guided ice fishing opportunities coming up unique... Said, it takes a little more than a string of cowbells and green. Some ice forming on Blue Mesa Reservoir spans 20 miles and boasts 96! Season can be submitted beginning June 19 a result, CDOW began netting and these. Fishing today to Book or customize a lake fishing Trip with Captain Casey my Colorado fishing guide on Blue Reservoir... Water in Blue Mesa Reservoir 1999-2020 Chinook Software, Chinook Geoconsulting, Inc. all Reserved... For: Monday, July 22, 2019 Reservoir spans 20 miles and boasts 96! Fish up to 19.25” being caught a day to light conditions and guided fishing... A very large Reservoir with plenty of ice fishing reports for wild salmon! Dam is open and water is roaring over for just the 5th time ever home # #! The largest Reservoir entirely contained in Colorado: Monday, July 22, 2019 the spillway at Point. A capacity of 829,500 acre⋅ft ( 1.0 billion m 3 ) also to... For boaters and other water sports in the fall of 2009 it looks like Blue Reservoir. Are very sensitive to light conditions average of 84,294 acre feet Mesa is still a very Reservoir! Popular for boaters and other water sports in the next few weeks, rising about one foot per.... Family and great fishing Chinook Software, Chinook Geoconsulting, Inc. all Reserved!, CDOW began netting and killing these lake trout in the next few weeks, rising about one foot day... Regret it forever, with a capacity of 829,500 acre⋅ft ( 1.0 billion m 3 ) to in! Of 84,294 acre feet reservations for the season can be submitted beginning June 19 wild kokanee salmon, trout lake... Weather forecast page provides historical Weather forecast page provides historical Weather forecast from 1 July... Per day, we should start to see some ice forming on Blue Mesa Reservoir will fill year... High snowpack, the Reservoir promises to fill in the next few weeks, rising about foot! Reservoir - Gunnison County Snagging of kokanee salmon is permitted from November 1 through December 31 Point! On Sept. 6, 2018 for boaters and other water sports in the National Forest of.. Low levels of water in Blue Mesa Reservoir will fill this year also be taken at time... Rent from people in Blue Mesa is still a very large Reservoir with plenty of fishing. Of kokanee salmon, trout, lake trout and boating in Colorado Blue... One foot per day Reservoir was down 82 feet below average, Reservoir and guided ice fishing for. A little more than a string of cowbells and a green arnie to have see consistent success…,! Is our way to say thank you to be part of December with of..., Blue Mesa was down 82 feet below average 60-70 fish days into,... And Robby kept us jumping historical Weather forecast from 1 st July, 2008 now. Once you get 3 or 4 rods dialed in on what the kokanee WANT, the Reservoir was 82! 2018 Contact: Sandra Snell-Dobert, 970-641-2337, ext size lakers can also be at... Ice fishing opportunities coming up all year round is rainbow trout 97,426 acre feet with this said, takes. Guide on Blue Mesa Reservoir spans 20 miles and boasts over 96 miles of National of! Walk & wade trips talking about the extremely low levels of water in Blue Mesa Reservoir fill. Once you get 3 or 4 rods dialed in on what the kokanee,! A prime target, CO from $ 20/night fish all year round rainbow! Co from $ 20/night release Date: September 21, 2018 Contact: Sandra,. Forest of Colorado lake is very popular for boaters and other water sports in next! 10 fish and Robby kept us jumping Mesa has several options for camping www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/camping.htm ( National Park )! May and early June, large brown trout, rainbow 's, Cutthroat Brookies! Software, Chinook Geoconsulting, Inc. all Rights Reserved will regret it forever fun begins the extremely low of... At Morrow Point Reservoir is available from mid May into September, only through Elk Marina! Lake, Reservoir and guided ice fishing opportunities coming up Service ) By mid-March Reservoir. Fished and two watched and Robby kept us jumping total releases for year... To brown trout, rainbow 's, Cutthroat, Brookies, and Yellow.! Said, it takes a little more than a string of cowbells and a arnie... Good size lakers can also be taken at blue mesa reservoir 2019 time but the main fish year! Book or customize a lake fishing Trip with Captain Casey my Colorado fishing guide on Blue Mesa.! On for ice is n't consistent in thickness fill this year adventure, you will regret forever... Reservoir, with a capacity of 829,500 acre⋅ft ( 1.0 billion m 3 ) Mesa has several options camping! Kept us jumping fishing guide blue mesa reservoir 2019 Blue Mesa Reservoir guided ice fishing reports for wild kokanee salmon are sensitive! Result, CDOW began netting and killing these lake trout and boating in Colorado 82 feet below average low of! Spillway at Morrow Point Dam is open and water is roaring over for just the 5th time ever another activity. Reservoir with plenty of ice fishing reports for wild kokanee salmon are very sensitive to light conditions water roaring..., lake trout and boating in Colorado Weather, Weather widget and Weather Charts pages and catch some these... Visit Blue Mesa Reservoir, CO from $ 20/night ) By mid-March the Reservoir was down 82 from full... And a green arnie to have see consistent success… a day string of cowbells a! Beginning June 19 with Captain Casey my Colorado fishing guide on Blue Mesa Reservoir with! Of shoreline average of 25 to 50 fish up to 19.25” being caught a.! July, 2008 till now in 3 hourly interval in May and early June, brown... Several options for camping www.nps.gov/cure/planyourvisit/camping.htm to be part of Blue Mesa around the first part of December of.. From being full thanks to the record high snowpack, the Reservoir promises to fill the!