Vallecito Lake Chamber of Commerce - Durango - Southwest Colorado

Vallecito Lake Chamber of Commerce

970-247-1573

Visit our Web site www.vallecitolakechamber.com

Vallecito Lake, sheltered in a mountain valley is one of the largest and most beautiful bodies of water in Colorado. The San Juan National Forest and Wimenuchi Wilderness, over 2.5 million acres of public land, surround Vallecito Lake. Access to the lake is free of charge.

Vallecito Lake area is a perfect destination for fishing vacations. Here you will find Rainbow, German Brown and Cutthroat Trout, Northern Pike and Kokanee Salmon.

Fall brings spectacular colors and cool mountain evenings. It is a great vacation destination to enjoy Fall Foliage tours. The area also offers world-class hunting for elk, deer, bear, and turkey.

During the winter season, you and your family can enjoy miles of cross-country skiing and snowmobiling trails.

Because the lake is located at the heart of the Four Corners, it is a perfect vacation destination with access to all the major attractions and activities the area has to offer, including the Durango and Silverton Train, Mesa Verde National Park, Durango Mountain Resort, and Wolf Creek Ski Area.

FISHING VACATIONS

The southwestern half of the Weminuche Wilderness Area is drained by two major streams-the Los Pinos and Florida Rivers-and their tributaries. 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. The reservoir offers a good opportunity to fish in late spring, when the rivers in the area are high with runoff.

From the wilderness boundary to the Continental Divide the Pine offers backcountry fly fishing at its finest. With over 50 miles of stream amid exquisite scenery, the possibilities for fishing adventures in the Los Pinos watershed are nearly limitless.

Best time for fishing is early July to late September.

In the wilderness part of the Pine River, you will find exclusively wild fish, particularly trout. In the lower two-thirds of the river you will find rainbows, brookies, browns, and cutthroats. Above Willow Park it is mostly cutthroats and brook trout. Below Flint Creek the average fish is around 8 to 10 inches and trout up to 14 inches are common. The upper Pine is entirely hike-in water.

Access to the river begins at the Pine River Trailhead east of Vallecito Reservoir at Granite Peak Ranch, with the first 3 miles of river above the trailhead, as well as the trail itself, passing through the private ranch. No fishing is permitted on the ranch, and hikers into the wilderness must stay on the trail until reaching the national forest boundary.

The wide trail has one of the gentlest climbs in the wilderness. Backpacking with a fly rod is one of the supreme pleasures of angling in the San Juan Mountains.

HUNTING VACATIONS

The area around Vallecito Reservoir is a top pick for both fishing and hunting for Elk, Mule Deer and Bear. It is a beautiful country. The area has several U.S. Forest Service campgrounds nearby, making it a popular hunters' staging area.

This part of the San Juan National Forest has outstanding big game habitat. Please contact any of our outfitters, who offer guided hunts and drop camps.

PO Box 804, Bayfield Colorado 81122; 970-247-1573.

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Vallecito Lake Chamber of Commerce - Durango - Southwest Colorado

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Vallecito Lake Chamber of Commerce

970-247-1573