Blue Mesa Reservoir is Colorado's largest body of water, spanning 20 miles in length and covering over 9,000 acres with nearly 96 miles of shoreline. Created in 1966 with the completion of Blue Mesa Dam on the Gunnison River, this stunning reservoir is nestled in the Gunnison National Forest amid mesas and deep canyons, offering breathtaking Rocky Mountain scenery. Located approximately 10 miles west of Gunnison in southwestern Colorado, Blue Mesa is part of the Curecanti National Recreation Area managed by the National Park Service. With depths reaching over 340 feet when full, this man-made reservoir provides diverse fishing opportunities throughout the year, from open-water trolling to productive ice fishing in winter.
Learn what type of fish are at Blue Mesa Reservoir and what's needed to catch them.
Oncorhynchus mykiss
Salmo trutta
Salvelinus fontinalis
Oncorhynchus clarkii
Esox lucius
Salvelinus namaycush
Prosopium williamsoni
Catostomus commersonii
Perca flavescens
Learn how to get on Blue Mesa Reservoir. Uncover great fishing access points, boat ramps, and all the facilities you need for an unforgettable day on the water. Some locations shown may border or include private property. Always check property boundaries and applicable regulations before visiting. onWater's Public & Private Land layer can help you plan your access with confidence.
See public and private land boundaries along the water, turn on private parcels with owner details to know where permission is required, and find land-trust parcels that offer permitted fishing access.
What you need to float or boat Blue Mesa Reservoir, and when to apply.
Boater pass · Motorboats · Required year-round
Every motorized boat on Blue Mesa Reservoir needs a Curecanti boat permit, seasonal or for 7 days, bought on Recreation.gov.
Checked Nov 4, 2026 with Curecanti National Recreation Area
When using any type of watercraft to access a body of water, it is important to follow all federal, state, and local rules and regulations. These rules and regulations include boat permitting and licensing, invasive species inspections and stamps, life jacket and PFD rules, motor size and horsepower restrictions, noise limitations, restrictions on personal watercraft, and many more. Visit the web link below for the most current rules and regulations for this body of water.
Annual fishing licenses are valid March 1 through March 31 (13 months). CPW provides a range of options for anglers from the annual fishing license to the one-day fishing license. Youth under age 16 fish for free.
This river has a variety of species and regulations, including potential floating and/or watercraft restrictions. Because this river is specially managed for species, seasons, angling methods, and watercraft, it is strongly encouraged you check all federal, state, and local regulations before fishing. Visit any of the links below, inquire locally, or contact a local fly shop to learn current regulations and restrictions.
Annual passes provide a full 12 months of unlimited access to all state parks across Colorado.
With no clear test of navigability, no applicable statutes, and a tendency of courts to categorize all streams in Colorado as non-navigable, waterfront landowners' rights encompass the banks, beds, and waters of rivers. The public has no guaranteed recreation rights in non-navigable waters or their streambeds. CO Fishing Regulations: "It is illegal to go onto private land to fish without permission, including touching any part of private land by person or watercraft. Private land is not required to be posted or fenced. Trespassers may be suspended for up to 5 years."
The onWater Fish app keeps this water's access points, species and conditions in your pocket, with the tools you use once you're there.
Download the map around Blue Mesa Reservoir to use it offline when coverage drops.
Keep a private fishing journal for Blue Mesa Reservoir to find where and when fish are biting for you.
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.
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See the best times to fish Blue Mesa Reservoir and check the forecast before you go.
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