Highline Lake fishing report, Friday, October 23, 2026

Do not plan Highline Lake today

CPW's Highline highlights page, read this morning, says the lake is open to power boating from March 1 through September 30, and closed every year from October 1 through February 28 so migratory birds can rest. October 23 is inside that closure.

Where to fish instead

Mack Mesa Lake is the other lake in the same park. The park page says Mack Mesa is open to kayaking, paddleboarding, and fishing. The October 1 through February 28 sentence is written under the Highline Lake heading. This report does not apply it to Mack Mesa. The Mack Mesa fishing report covers how that lake is set up.

For when Highline reopens: the highlights page lists largemouth bass, black crappie, bluegill, channel catfish, and rainbow trout at both lakes, stocked in spring and fall. Largemouth bass are the special regulation in the park: keep two, each at least 15 inches. Both lakes are designated infested for zebra mussels. Clean, drain, and dry before the next water.

The park page still posts construction on the west side near Sunset Ridge Campground and the boat inspection station: weekday noise, dust, and road closures with little notice. That note still talks about work aimed at the end of June. Check with the Highline Lake State Park visitor center before you count on a road.

We do not print ice thickness.

Plan the trip

Check CPW regulations for your water before you go. Start with our Highline Lake fishing guide and how to clean and cook Highline Lake channel catfish. Browse Colorado fishing reports, ice fishing gear, and VCO merch (made to order, ships from Grand Junction), or open the VCO Trip Builder to map out your day.

Sources for this post