Colorado's Most Common Fish Found in Grand Mesa's Island Lake

If you are looking for great places to fish near Grand Junction, Colorado, you'll find some of the best options anywhere inside the Grand Mesa National Forest. You can opt for almost any of the main lakes along the Grand Mesa Scenic Byway for a great experience, or head out past Collbran and visit the Vega Reservoir.

One of the most popular places to fish on the Grand Mesa is Island Lake. It's one of the highest elevated lakes on the world's largest flat-top mountain and if you are looking to cook some trout over the campfire, this is one of the best places to catch them.

Get our free mobile app

Where is Colorado's Island Lake

Google Maps

Island Lake on the Grand Mesa is around 23 miles south of the town of Mesa, Colorado on Highway 65, or about 16 miles north of the town of Cedaredge, Colorado. The lake is located at an elevation of about 10,500 feet and is one of the best places to fish, camp, and hike around Grand Junction.

How Large Is Island Lake?

The Grand Mesa's Island Lake offers 144 surface acres with a dock along the northern shoreline for row boats, canoes, and a few paddle boats. The watercraft are available to rent from the Grand Mesa Lodge. Island Lake is also home to the Island Lake Trail, which is an easy hike of just over one line along the picture-perfect shoreline.

Island Lake's Most Common Types of Fish

Canva Pro

Island Lake is home to lots of Rainbow, Brooke, and Cutthroat trout, along with Whitesuckers and Splakes. Remember if you wish to fish at any lake on Colorado's Grand Mesa, you'll need to purchase a fishing license online or from a retail location. You can get started here.

LOOK: Colorado's Biggest Fish Lurking Beneath the Water's Surface

Colorado's rivers, lakes, and reservoirs are home to around 50 native species of fish. In total, there are around 101 species of fish found here. Scroll through the photos below to see which fish grow to be the largest ones found in the Rocky Mountains.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

MORE: Colorado Fish: Which Ones are Safe to Eat and Which Ones are Not?

While Colorado is loaded with lots of different kinds of fish, there are a couple you want to avoid.

Be sure to check for any fishing advisories from the state of Colorado before you cast a line just in case you should avoid certain locations. Scroll on to see which fish are safe, which ones are not, and how often you can eat them.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

LOOK: 25 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Colorado's Grand Mesa

A trip to the top of the world's largest flat-top mountain is one of the highlights of visiting the western slope. Colorado's Grand Mesa sits at just over 11,000 feet outside of Grand Junction. Scroll through the photos below and find out 25 things you should know about visiting the summit during any season.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams