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FISHING MAP #1 - MANCOS AREA - This area lies just north of Mancos and features four reservoirs plus the Mancos River, all accessible off Colorado State Route 184 between Mancos and Dolores.
Jackson Reservoir (known to the locals as Jackson Gulch) and the Mancos River drainage are off F.S. 561, just north of town. Follow the West Mancos Road to Jackson Reservoir, part of the Mancos State Recreation Area. You'll find excellent camping in a beautiful ponderosa pine forest, a boat ramp and good fishing. To get to Joe Moore Reservoir, take Highway 184 to F.S. 559 and head north. You'll find the same warm water fishing as all the lakes in this area, featuring trout, perch, crappie, large mouth bass and bluegills.
A little further west along Highway 184 are Puett and Summit Reservoirs. Summit is a State Wildlife Area and Puett is known locally as "little" Summit. Both have boat ramps, camping and both are stocked by the Department of Wildlife.
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West Mancos River
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561
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Jackson Reservoir
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561
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Joe Moore Reservoir
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559
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Summit Reservoir
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184
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Puett Reservoir
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184
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FISHING MAP #2 - DOLORES RIVER AREA - This area features a high altitude lake, Groundhog Reservoir, and excellent river and stream fishing along the Dolores River drainage.
The Dolores River starts high in the San Juan Mountains, near Lizard Head Pass. It travels down through Rico, along Highway 145 to Dolores and into McPhee Lake. The Dolores River was recently acclaimed as one of the 50 best trout streams in America by Trout Magazine. There are many excellent access points along Highway 145 and the Department of Wildlife stocks the river between Stoner and Dolores every year.
Major tributaries to the Dolores for good fishing include Barlow Creek, Bear Creek, Taylor Creek, Stoner Creek and the biggest of these, the West Fork of the Dolores. It wanders along the roadside, F.S. 536, sometimes easily accessible, other times more secluded. Barlow Creek comes in above Rico from the east. You'll find native trout there, just as you will in Taylor Creek and Bear Creek, both located between Rico and Stoner off Highway 145. Bear and Taylor host more varieties of trout, including native, cutthroat and rainbow.
For the more adventuresome, Stoner Creek offers good fishing and is only accessible by a hiking trail. That naturally keeps the numbers down, but for those willing to make the hike, it's well worth it. The trailhead takes off from F.S. 536, the road to Dunton.
Groundhog Reservoir is a premier fishing lake located high in the San Juans, about 32 miles north of Dolores on the Dolores/Norwood road, F.S. 533. You'll find beautiful scenery, camping, a boat ramp, marina and store to make roughing it a bit easier. Groundhog Reservoir is stocked with Colorado rainbow and Snake River cutthroat trout. For those fishing in the early spring or late fall, please check in advance to make certain the lake is open and seasonal mountain snows have not closed the road.
The Gold Medal Waters of the Lower Dolores River
These waters are catch and release only on the 11 mile stretch from the dam to the Bradfield Bridge. Anglers will find Colorado River rainbow, Snake River cutthroat and brown trout. To reach the area below the dam, turn off U.S. 491 one mile north of Pleasant View. Follow the signs to Bradfield Bridge and then turn on Lone Dome Road which follows the river.
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Dolores River
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145
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Barlow Creek
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145
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Taylor Creek
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West Fork of the Dolores River
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536
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Stoner Creek
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Trail
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Groundhog Reservoir
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533
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FISHING MAP #3 - MCPHEE LAKE AREA - This area offers excellent fishing near Dolores and Cortez.
Narraguinnep Reservoir is accessible via Highway 184 and is located just west of McPhee Lake. It has warm water fishing with some rainbow trout, but primarily offers catfish, bass, pike, walleye and panfish.
McPhee Lake, which stretches west and north from the town of Dolores, is one of our favorite places to fish and it's getting better year after year. According to the DOW, the catch ratio per man-hour at McPhee is the best in Southwest Colorado. If you want to catch fish, head for McPhee.
Totten Lake is located just outside of Cortez, one mile east of town and north on C.R. 29. It is a fun little lake, ideal for the family and particularly accessible because of it's proximity to town. Warm water fishing, boat ramp and stocked waters make it a pleasant surprise for the kids!
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McPhee Lake
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184
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526
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McPhee
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Beaver Creek
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145
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Toten Lake
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526
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Narraguinnep Reservoir
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CO
184
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Lower Dolores River
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FS
505
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