Ice Fishing the Montrose area
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When? If it is within the next week or so there really isn't much to offer nearby. You can fish the Uncompahgre in town but not sure that is what you have in mind as it is pretty much small trout. Ridgway Lake is south of town and some shore fishing is available (have to pay entry fee into Ridgway Park. Just down from the dam is "Jurrasic Park" where there are some good size fish to be had (all catch and release) - again have to pay park entrance fee. If it is ice fishing you have in mind then about an hour drive up to Blue Mesa is available but that makes an hour up and an hour back leaving only a little bit of time to fish if you only have half a day. There is one more lake (Crawford) outside Hotchkiss and Crawford but haven't heard much how it is fishing. Parks and Welfare has pretty much decimated the pike in there and the perch exploded but most are on the small side.
On the way to Crawford you could pull off to Pleasure Park and fish the Gunnison River. Access to the Gunnison outside of Montrose is limited due to East Portal road being closed for the winter.
Hopefully this gives you some ideas. Probably the best bet is either Ridgway Lake (20 minute drive south of Montrose, or the stream just below Ridgway dam which can offer some good catch and release action.
On the way to Crawford you could pull off to Pleasure Park and fish the Gunnison River. Access to the Gunnison outside of Montrose is limited due to East Portal road being closed for the winter.
Hopefully this gives you some ideas. Probably the best bet is either Ridgway Lake (20 minute drive south of Montrose, or the stream just below Ridgway dam which can offer some good catch and release action.
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Finding a place to ice is gonna be tough. Crawford might be the best bet, but it's a bit of a drive. Blue Mesa is relatively close, just under an hour. Hit the inlet for some good ice fishing for trout and perch. Actually, blue mesa is closer than Crawford by a bit. Those are your choices for ice. Fly fishing might be a better choice.
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Ridgway never freezes over so ice fishing won't be available there. Otherwise it does offer quick access to fishable water - in the lake or below the dam.The water below the dam is nicknamed "Jurrasic Park" as the Wildlife folks have stocked some large trout in there but it is catch and release. Good luck. I would meet up with you but I will be up in Grand Junction that day or I would offer to show you around.
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I would pretty much consider Swietzer a catch and release lake. There is a huge problem with selenium in the water making the fish less than desirable. However catching some gills on an ultra light fly rod is always fun. Actually it might be better now but I never hear any local reports on the lake. It is just south of Delta and easily accesible. Don't think it freezes over but then again I don't know much about how it is fishing due to lack of reports.
If you were going to fish Swietzer then another consideration would be Chipeta Lake just south of the Target/Penny's complex here in Montrose. Small stocked trout and some fairly healthy cats as well. My issue with that lake is all the trash that is left around by the less conservational minded folks who frequent the lake.
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Wonder if a guy could get down to the East Portal right now? Or is it closed?
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Some big carp in there...
And it is a state park. $$
Like some one else said above not sure if it will get a lid or not for ice fishing.
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I think I would rather scour my nipples with a rust S.O.S. pad.
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THIS
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I got nothing for you other than you could try the western slope anglers forum. I know Rifle is not safe so I doubt anything around Montrose is going to be
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