Lake Trout Fishing Blue Mesa Reservoir with GSO Fishing
Blue Mesa Reservoir is an incredible lake for anglers hoping to reel in trophy Lake Trout. The reservoir has produced several Colorado state record fish and even an unofficial world record Lake Trout weighing an impressive 73.29 pounds in 2023. Because of this, Blue Mesa has earned a reputation as one of the premier destinations for anglers chasing giant Lake Trout.
At GSO Fishing, our Lake Trout trips are designed for anglers who dream about landing a true giant but also understand the challenge that comes with it. These fish are famous not only for their size and strength, but also for how difficult they can be to catch. Lake Trout are clever, elusive, and require patience, focus, and persistence, even for experienced anglers.
Not A Learning Trip:
Unlike the educational courses and training trips we offer, these Lake Trout trips are not instructional. Instead, they are designed for anglers who want to experience what targeting trophy Lake Trout is really like.
Think of this trip as an adventure rather than a classroom. Our goal is to help you try something new, spend time on the water with family or friends, and hopefully land a new personal best Lake Trout.
Fishing Methods: Why We Troll
Although there are other fishing methods that work for catching Trophy Lake Trout, trolling provides more opportunity to get in front of more fish, thus creating more opportunities for anglers to catch one. Our guides have perfected their trolling techniques to entice these impressive species through the thrill of the chase.
We are open to other methods of fishing for Lake trout in open water but haven’t found any to be more effective than trolling. If you wish to jig or cast for them, please let us know in your trip request form, and we will do our best to accommodate your request.
Why These Trips Might Not Suit Everyone:
Trolling for giant Lake Trout is a slow and patient process. There will be stretches of time between bites, which is common when targeting trophy fish. Because of this, these trips are often better suited for adults or older teens who enjoy the strategy and patience that trophy fishing requires.
Another condition that tends to deter some anglers from targeting Lake trout is that spring weather in Colorado can be as unpredictable as fishing itself. While we try to ensure everyone’s comfort aboard our boats, the reality is that spring days can sometimes be miserably cold. It’s important to come prepared: dressing in layers, bringing hand warmers, and even packing a blanket can make all the difference if the weather takes a chilly turn. Despite the cold, this is an excellent time for Lake Trout fishing. These fish thrive in cold water conditions, which is why we specifically target them during the colder months of spring and late fall. The brisk weather invigorates the Lake Trout, making them more active and easier to target.
The Ultimate Goal:
Lake Trout are known for being difficult to catch, but our guide team spends countless hours on the water every year refining our techniques and understanding these fish.
That dedication helped our clients land more than 150 Lake Trout during the 2024 spring season alone and another 200+ in the spring 2025 season.
Our commitment to the fishery and to our clients also led to us being voted Best Outfitter since 2018 and Best Fishing Guide for multiple years including 2024 and 2025 in the Gunnison People’s Choice Awards.
At the end of the day, our goal is simple. We want to help you create unforgettable memories on the water and give you the opportunity to experience the thrill of chasing trophy Lake Trout on Blue Mesa Reservoir.
Ready to start your adventure? Visit our Trip Request Page to book your guided Lake Trout trip today!
Seasons:
(Dates vary from year to year depending on the weather)
- Spring Season: Ice Off (Usually Late April) – Early June
- Fall Season: Late October – Late November
Our policy is to practice catch and release for any Lake Trout caught over 24 inches. This helps preserve trophy fish and protect the long-term health of the fishery.
It is also important to note that larger Lake Trout are not ideal for eating. As these fish age and grow larger, they accumulate more fat, which can affect the quality of the meat. If you are interested in keeping fish for the table, we recommend booking one of our Standard Trout or Perch Trips, where the fish caught are typically much better suited for eating.
For anglers who land a large Lake Trout and want a keepsake, we recommend choosing a replica mount rather than keeping the actual fish. Our team will take all the necessary measurements and photos so a taxidermist can create an accurate replica of your catch.
This allows you to preserve the memory of the fish while helping protect the trophy Lake Trout population for future anglers.
Lake Trout prefer cold water and are most active in cooler temperatures. In the spring, they often feed in shallower areas of the lake. As summer arrives and water temperatures rise, they move into deeper, colder water.
Catching Lake Trout during the summer usually means pulling them up from those deep, cool habitats into much warmer surface water. That sudden change in temperature, combined with the stress of the fight, can be very hard on the fish and greatly increases the chance that they will not survive after being released.
We often get asked if it is possible to combine Lake Trout fishing with targeting other species like Salmon or Perch during the same trip. The challenge comes down to the gear required for each species. Lake Trout are large, powerful fish and require much heavier equipment than the lighter tackle typically used for Salmon or Perch.
Because of these differences, it is difficult to effectively target both during the same trip.
For anglers who want to experience the variety of fishing Blue Mesa has to offer, we recommend booking one of our Combo Trout/Perch trips. These trips are designed so we can use the proper gear for each species, which helps create a more productive and enjoyable day on the water.
This allows you to experience multiple types of fishing in one outing while still using the right equipment for each species.