San Juan River

Excellent fishing for Rainbow and Brown Trout. This is for the fisherman who wants to fish but doesn’t want to travel far. The San Juan runs right through Pagosa Springs.

Fourmile Lakes

Cutthroat Trout fishing in both lower and higher lakes. Take Fourmile Road north until the road ends. Hike about sixe to seven miles on the trail visible from the road’s end to the lower lake. The second lake is another half mile walk. Fourmile Falls can be seen about three miles in. Very scenic. The altitude increases rapidly after the falls - be prepared for a strenouous but beautiful hike.

Fourmile Creek

Access is the same as Fourmile Lakes. The creek begins near the trailhead. Good Brook and cutthroat Trout fishing after high water has dropped (about mid-June).

Big Meadow Reservoir

Good Brook and Rainbow Trout fishing. Excellent campground. To get to the reservoir, head northeast from Pagosa Springs on U.S. Highway 160 past Wolf Creek Ski Area and down the east side of Wolf Creek Pass about six miles to the road. A sign is posted for the reservoir.

Shaw Lake

Access is the same as to Big Meadow Reservoir. Shaw Lake is about two miles past the reservoir and is a good Cutthroat Trout fishery.

Opal Lake

Good Rainbow Trout fishing. The beaver ponds and stream below the lake also offer excellent fishing. To reach, head south out of Pagosa Springs on U.S. Highway 84 approximately eight miles to Blanco Basin Road. Follow east to Castle Creek. Turn right across the Blanco River and follow the road two miles to a parking area identified by a sign denoting the trail head. The lake is a two mile hike from the trailhead.

Echo Lake

Stocked with Rainbow Trout, Largemouth Bass, Yellow Perch, Green Sunfish and Channel Catfish. Trout are best caught with lures, flies or natural bait such as worms; Bass, with top survace lures, crank baits with pork frogs or rubber worms. Perch are best taken with live bait; Sunfish with worms and sometimes flies; and Catfish, with cut bait (Suckers or commercial stink baits). Echo Lake is also excellent for Trout and Bass ice fishing throughout the winter. Access is easy, three miles from Pagosa Springs on U.S. Highway 84. A Habitat Stamp is required to enter State Wildlife areas for person 19 through 64.

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