Colorado Fishing Info Request

[Mark]

Planning a Colorado trip in mid July. Seeking specific info with the following stipulations;

1)Finding a campsite on a river that if somewhat secluded. We want to be able to walk from camp to the river in a few minutes if not camping right on the river.

2)We are bait fishermen. RIver must be in area without artificial bait restrictions.

[ozark trout fisher]

Planning a Colorado trip in mid July. Seeking specific info with the following stipulations;

1)Finding a campsite on a river that if somewhat secluded. We want to be able to walk from camp to the river in a few minutes if not camping right on the river.

2)We are bait fishermen. RIver must be in area without artificial bait restrictions.

You could camp on the Yampa at the state park near Hayden-those are my old stomping grounds. I don't know what it's like now, but as of a few years ago it was pretty good for rainbows and pike, with an occasional smallmouth thrown in. I know you could bait fish back then (regular old worms worked pretty well for the trout) but I can't promise you the regs (or the fishing) haven't changed. The river isn't real well known down there. It's nothing all that special, just a pretty high plains river with a decent trout population that doesn't get fished too much. Over by Craig, there is Freedman Reservoir-a high mountain lake up in the National Forest that is stocked heavily with cutthroat. Once again, it was open to live bait when I was last there, but you might check up on that just in case. There is a nice campground up there.

Both of these places I'm telling you about are in Northwest Colorado, which is about the furthest corner of the state, because that's the area I know well. It's further than most folks go, but it's also more quiet and secluded-something you won't find on the famous rivers like the Fryingpan and Roaring Fork.

[Mark]

Sent you an email. Thanks for all the advice. It is helping with narrowing down some research. Feel free to reply any more suggestions.

[tippet7]

Got this from http://www.leadville.com/summer/fishing.asp

There are several streams and rivers in the Vail area that you can camp, bait fish and spin fish. Eagle River is one. Take Hwy 24 from Minturn up to Leadville and there are a few small lakes (ponds) that you can stop at. Also along I 70 near Copper Mtn (Frisco) is the Blue River and Frisco Lake (i think that is name of it) has great trout fishing.

There are several reservoirs in the valley where fishing from shore can be very good. Near Leadville, is Turquoise Lake. The state recreation area offers great fishing and views. It has trail or road completely around the lake, giving great fishing access. South of Leadville at Balltown is Twin Lakes Reservoir. This cold deep lake is at the base of Mt. Elbert. Finally, Clear Lake Reservoir is just south of Granite, small, but probably the best lake fishing in the valley