Fishing Ruedi Reservoir
Popular Fish Species Ruedi Reservoir, CO

Rainbow Trout Fishing
Excellent stocking programs by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife has helped to maintain a good population of rainbow trout for anglers at Ruedi Reservoir. Fish for rainbow trout here with worms, salmon eggs, prepared baits, small spinners, spoons, jerkbaits and small crankbaits in vibrant colors to mimic their preferred prey. While fishing from a boat is preferred, plenty of trout are caught here by anglers fishing from the bank. Additionally, floating or sinking flies, such as nymphs, streamers, or dry flies, are popular choices for fly anglers targeting rainbow trout. Trolling with lures or flies behind a boat, casting near shoreline structures, or still fishing with bait can all yield success. Adjusting lure size, color, and retrieve speed can enhance chances of enticing these colorful and spirited fish. When the lake freezes over, try your luck at ice fishing.

Lake Trout Fishing
Year round, fishing for lake trout in Ruedi Reservoir is often quite good and the fish are plentiful. These large trout prefer water below 60 degrees, however they can be caught from as shallow as 15 to 30 feet in Spring and Fall, to as deep as 150 feet or more during Summer and Winter. It is a monumental assistance to use fish finders, or other electronics to help in locating these roaming schools of lake trout. They feed on baitfish and other small fish, so jigs rigged to imitate their prey often work well straight down under the boat. Trolling with numerous set-ups can also produce good catches. When the lake freezes over, ice fishing for big lake trout with spoons can deliver some great catches.

Kokanee Salmon Fishing
Sockeye salmon which remain landlocked, never migrating to the ocean, are called kokanee salmon. On-going stocking of kokanee salmon by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife helps to maintain a nice population for the fishery. Typically kokanee average one to two pounds. As one of the premiere kokanee fishing lakes in Colorado, Ruedi Reservoir delivers plenty of fish above normal averages. These tasty fish school in lakes at depths which remain at ideal temperatures of between 48 and 58 degrees. Once this depth is identified, use a fish finder to locate schools. Use small lures trolled at the appropriate depth. The can also be caught using corn, but the main way they are caught is using flashy lures which they attack when the lure intrudes their space. In winter, once the ice is safe, try ice fishing for kokanee.
Ruedi Reservoir Fishing Video
Fish species to fish for...
Guide to fishing for rainbow trout, brown trout, lake trout, kokanee salmon and yellow perch at Ruedi Reservoir in Colorado.
Easy access makes Ruedi Reservoir a favorite of anglers, campers and boating enthusiasts in northwest Colorado. Ice fishing in winter and plenty of fishing from a boat or walking the shorelines in spring and summer. This is a 1,200-acre lake with a boat launch ramp and campground. The lake has populations of trout, perch and salmon.
Fish Species in Ruedi Reservoir, CO
Click images for fishing tips and details about each species.
Ruedi Reservoir Amenities
Marina: NO
Boat Rentals: NO
Boat Launch Ramp: YES
Campgrounds: YES
RV Hookups: NO
Lodging: 1 VRBO
Concessions: NEARBY
Bait & Tackle: NEARBY
Restaurant: NEARBY
Today's Weather & Forecast
Public Boat Launch Ramps & Landings
Ruedi Marina Campground Boat .Ramp
Located in the northwest corner of the lake, this is a four-lane, concrete ramp with docks, and lots of paved parking.
Fishing Guides On Ruedi Reservoir
Apex Sport Fishing - pike, walleye, bass, trout
If you offer fishing guide services on this lake, please contact us for a free listing, to be posted here.
Fishing License
Click here for a Colorado fishing license.
Closest Campgrounds & RV Parks
Dearhamer Campground - 970 927-0107
Little Maud Campground
Rocky Fork Campground
Freeman Mesa Campground
Ruedi Reservoir CO Map - Fishing & Camping Areas
Contact Information
Ruedi Reservoir
US Forest Service
PO Box 948
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
970 945-2521
Fishing lakes in each state.
021225
Ruedi Reservoir in CO.
COLORADO


Salmon, perch and trout fishing in west-central CO.