Lake Granby Trip Guide: Big, Cold, High Mountain Water

Lake Granby is a large reservoir near the town of Granby, in the mountains northwest of Denver. It is a long way from Grand Junction, but it comes up often when people talk about big lake trout. This guide covers what official sources say and how to prepare for a high, cold lake.

What CPW says about the fishing

CPW lists Lake Granby as a Colorado Quality Waters location. According to CPW, a large population of Mysis shrimp and complex habitat on the lake bottom give Granby the highest density of lake trout in the state. That is a big reason anglers make the drive. It is also why the rules for lake trout here matter. Read them before you keep a fish.

Where it is and who manages it

CPW says Lake Granby is one of five major reservoirs inside the 35,000-acre Arapaho National Recreation Area, managed by the U.S. Forest Service. CPW's directions: take US 40 to the town of Granby, then US 34 east to the lake. US 34 runs along the west side and County Road 6 runs along the south. CPW lists three boat ramps and both motorized and non-motorized boating.

How we would plan the day

1. Check the Forest Service and CPW pages the day before for ramp status and passes.
2. Look at the wind and storm forecast, and set a time to be off open water.
3. Start close to your launch. Do not make the long crossing first.
4. Pack food, water, a dry change, and a warm layer even in summer.
5. Leave your launch site and return time with someone at home.

If you fish from shore, pick spots with an easy walk back and stay off steep, wet rock.

Before you leave the Western Slope

A trip to Lake Granby from Grand Junction means mountain passes and long stretches between towns. Check road conditions and closures on COtrip.org, the Colorado Department of Transportation's traveler site, the night before and again in the morning. Fill up before the long gaps, carry water, food, and a warm layer in the vehicle, and leave your route and return time with someone at home. If the weather turns on the drive, it is fine to change plans and fish closer to home.

Safety

• Cold water. High mountain reservoirs stay cold. CPW calls water below 68 degrees dangerous. Wear your life jacket and dress for immersion.
• Weather moves fast. Afternoon storms and wind can come over the mountains quickly. Plan to be off open water early and head in at the first change.
• Altitude. If you are coming from the valley, you will tire faster. Drink water and pace the day.
• Ice season. Granby is one of the lakes we had in mind for our ice rod, but ice is never uniform. Check local conditions with the land manager and measure as you go. We never call ice safe.
• Tell someone your launch, your plan, and your return time.

Verify regs

Read the Lake Granby section in the current CPW Colorado Fishing Brochure, the CPW Lake Granby page, and the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests site for recreation area rules and passes. If you trailer a boat, Colorado requires an inspection. See CPW Boat Inspections. We do not print limits.

Shop related

Our Viral Cast Ice Rod is designed with lakes like Granby in mind. Our VCO Tumbler keeps coffee hot on a cold morning.

Plan with Trip Builder

Build the trip in Trip Builder, then read our wind go/no-go and cold water checklist before you launch.

Frequently asked questions

Why is Lake Granby known for lake trout?

CPW says a large Mysis shrimp population and complex bottom habitat give Lake Granby the highest density of lake trout in Colorado.

Who manages Lake Granby?

CPW says Lake Granby lies within the Arapaho National Recreation Area, which is managed by the U.S. Forest Service.