Shadow Mountain Lake

Boat Ramps: 2
Access Points: 4
Species: 9

Shadow Mountain Lake spans approximately 1,300 surface acres in Grand County, Colorado. As part of the Three Lakes Region alongside Grand Lake and Lake Granby, it offers excellent fishing opportunities with breathtaking views of the Continental Divide. This relatively shallow body of water (maximum depth of 24 feet) houses various trout and salmon species, making it a popular destination for anglers year-round. Connected to Grand Lake via a canal, Shadow Mountain Lake provides additional fishing opportunities beyond its own waters, all within the scenic Arapaho National Recreation Area.

Colorado licenses and regulations5 to check before you go

Species & education

Learn what type of fish are at Shadow Mountain Lake and what's needed to catch them.

Find which waters have the species you want to catch

Rainbow Trout

Oncorhynchus mykiss

Brown Trout

Salmo trutta

Brook Trout

Salvelinus fontinalis

Cutthroat Trout

Oncorhynchus clarkii

Arctic Grayling

Thymallus arcticus

Kokanee Salmon

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

Splake

White Sucker

Catostomus commersonii

Fishing spots, boat ramps & amenities

Learn how to get on Shadow Mountain Lake. 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.

Shadow Mountain Dam Trailhead Access

Access Point

Point Park Picnic Site Access

Access Point

Know where you can legally fish on Shadow Mountain Lake

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.

Colorado licenses and regulations

Colorado Boating Regulations

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.

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Colorado Fishing License

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.

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Colorado Fishing Regulations

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.

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Colorado Parks & Wildlife State Park Pass

Annual passes provide a full 12 months of unlimited access to all state parks across Colorado.

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Colorado Stream Access Laws

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."

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Take Shadow Mountain Lake with you

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.

Use the map without signal
Download the map around Shadow Mountain Lake to use it offline when coverage drops.
Log your catches here
Keep a private fishing journal for Shadow Mountain Lake to find where and when fish are biting for you.
HD depth charts from Garmin
Find drop offs, ledges, channels, points and shallow flats with Garmin depth charts in the app.