Pikes Peak Region Trail Finder

With the hot summer days at lower elevations, anglers can look to the high country for opportunities to find fish. Many alpine lakes have been ice-free for several weeks; others might have just lost their winter skin, making them ideal spots to find hungry fish.


Mountain lakes, rivers and streams not only offer a brief reprieve from the heat, but provide anglers with beautiful backdrops. Getting to some of these mountain gems can be an adventure, as many waters require a bit of a walk or hike.


The Mount Evans Wilderness area, south of Idaho Springs, has several different lakes from which to choose. Clear Lake, Echo Lake, Silver Dollar Lakes and Summit Lake are just a few of the cool mountain waters that await you during the mid-summer heat.


Trappers Lake, in the Flat Tops Wilderness Area, is one of Colorado’s larger natural lakes. The lake has an abundant population of self-sustaining Colorado River cutthroats. Another popular fishery in the White River National Forest is Lake Avery. The inlet side of the lake can be especially productive for large rainbows using worms and PowerBait and various flies and lures.