Bayfield
Vallecito Lake is located 18 miles from Durango, Colorado in Bayfield, CO.

Vallecito Reservoir, where water from the Pine and Vallecito Creek is impounded, is great for those seeking less of a wilderness experience. It provides easy access and large fish such as rainbow, brown trout, and northern pike. Browns hold in this area all year and mid-May through mid-June is best for pike.

Fish species present: Rainbow Trout, Northern Pike, Brown Trout, Kokanee Salmon, Walleye, Smallmouth Bass, White Sucker, Yellow Perch (bass and perch illegally introduced). Vallecito Reservoir has been managed as a Kokanee Salmon brood lake since 1968.

The Vallecito Marina Shop has everything you need for a fun day on the lake, including, snacks, beverages, and fishing supplies. Ten shaded picnic tables and a gravel boat ramp are found at the Old Timers Day Use Area. It’s a popular place for boating and fishing with the gates open daily from 6 am to 10 pm.

C. Second rod stamp – Any person may use one additional (second) personally attended line statewide when a second rod stamp is purchased, as identified on the user’s fishing license.

Vallecito Dam and Reservoir was completed in 1941 and is the principal feature of the Pine River Project in southwest Colorado. Located on the Pine River in the San Juan National Forest, about 18 miles northeast of Durango, Colorado, the reservoir has a maximum surface area of 2,720 acres.

Vallecito Lake offers a free public swimming area, with many fee-based swimming areas surrounding it as well. Water activities such as boating, paddle boarding, and fishing, are a great way to enjoy your visit. Land activities are also available, and include hiking, hunting, ATV rentals, and horseback riding.

At 7,800 feet above sea level, Vallecito Lake is the largest body of water at this elevation or higher in Colorado.

Corn is what they raise the fish you buy in the grocery store on. Chumming with corn is still illegal in Colorado.

five walleye
It is legal to keep five walleye and/or sauger from most rivers and reservoirs, but it is legal to keep as many as 10 in some waters. You can keep up to five largemouth, smallmouth, or spotted bass in most places, although there is no limit on smallmouth bass caught in waters west of the Continental Divide.

Drought conditions are to blame for low water level at Vallecito Reservoir. The lake is 40 percent full, down about 32 feet from full capacity. Drought conditions are to blame for low water level at Vallecito Reservoir. The lake is 40 percent full, down about 32 feet from full capacity.

Vallecito Reservoir is managed primarily as a coldwater combined subcatchable and catchable lake. Primary sportfish management is directed toward Kokanee Salmon and Rainbow Trout. Vallecito provides about 9,000 angler days per year, with an estimated total catch of about 7,000 fish.

Take County Road 240 north from Durango about 14 miles to the intersection of County Road 501. Turn left and take County Road 501 north to Vallecito Reservoir, a distance of about 4 miles. Log in for additional details… Log in for additional details…

Conditions reports for this lake are available when logged in. Last Conditions Report for Vallecito Reservoir: 06.01.21 Vallecito Reservoir on FishExplorer has 172 historic conditions reports, 62 historic water temperature updates, 114 historic status updates, 131 historic water level updates, available to subscribers.

Vallecito Reservoir is a special place to fish—we would like to share that with you by providing a trip of a lifetime, with a fantastic guide. Book your trip today by calling 970-769-0669.