Grand Junction
Topography and landscape
Grand Junction sits on the Colorado River where the Gunnison River comes in from the south. The name comes from the water: "Grand" is the old Grand River, renamed the Upper Colorado in 1921, and "Junction" is the meeting of the two rivers. The town is nicknamed River City. (NWS Grand Junction station history (PDF))
(NWS Grand Junction station history (PDF)(NPS, Visit Grand Junction)
How the land shapes the fishing. Two big rivers meet in town, the valley holds state park ponds, and the lakes on Grand Mesa sit a drive above. Visit Grand Junction counts two major rivers, over 300 alpine lakes and two state parks with over a dozen lakes and ponds. (Visit Grand Junction) Read the rivers on the USGS gages before you go: Colorado River near Cameo and Gunnison River near Grand Junction.
What you'll find
Water in and near town. James M. Robb Colorado River State Park strings five sections along the river from Fruita to Island Acres, with Corn Lake in Clifton as headquarters. (CPW) Connected Lakes is a day use section with trails around a series of ponds, warmwater fishing and accessible fishing piers. Corn Lake has a 0.9 mile trail along the lake and a launch onto the Colorado River. (CPW) Corn Lake, Connected Lakes, Duke Lake and the Wildlife Area hold bass, crappie, bluegill and channel catfish, and CPW stocks rainbow trout in Corn Lake and other park ponds. (CPW)
Wildlife. Along the river, CPW lists bald eagle, great blue heron and osprey, plus mule deer, muskrat and raccoon. (CPW)
Our shop. There is no walk in shop. The Valley Pack includes the hat, the ringer, and the tumbler for $99. The hat is $38. Made to order, ships from Grand Junction. The ringer is $44 in S, M, L, and XL. The tumbler is $36. See the Valley Pack.
The Viral Cast Ice Rod is a pre-order at $164.99, 28" or 32". No ship date yet. Full refund any time before it ships. No ship date yet. Full refund any time before it ships.
Read the story. Email support@viralcastoutfitters.com. Phone 970-426-1678.
Responsible use
Leave No Trace. Pack in, pack out, stay on trails, respect closures and keep human food from wildlife. (CPW, Leave No Trace)
Mussels. CPW lists the Colorado River from the Eagle River to the Utah line, and West and East Lake at the Wildlife Area, as infested with zebra mussels. (CPW) Motorized and trailered boats need an inspection; clean, drain and dry hand launched craft and gear. (CPW)
Fire. Seasonal fire restrictions on public land around town change with fire danger, and some BLM rules apply all year. (BLM)
Rules for this ground. City, county, CPW, BLM and NPS each manage different ground around town. Fishing rules are on CPW; we do not restate them. (CPW, BLM, NPS) See our Colorado fishing laws page.
Kindness to other users
Shared paths. The Corn Lake trail is used by anglers, hikers and bicyclists. (CPW) Our shop habit, not a rule: keep rods and hooks off the path and step aside for bikes.
Shared water. Corn Lake is a launch for boaters and rafters onto the river. (CPW) Our shop habit: let a raft pass before you cast across its line, and keep the ramp clear.
Birds and pets. Keep voices low to see more birds and keep dogs leashed and cleaned up after. (CPW)
Hunters in season. Wear fluorescent orange or pink in the field in hunting season. (CPW)
Best times to go
Time of day. Early. (NWS Grand Junction station history (PDF)) CPW notes most summer storms here build in the afternoon and arrive fast from the west. (CPW) The state park opens at 5 a.m. (CPW)
Season. Corn Lake is stocked in spring and fall. (CPW) Snowmelt usually peaks in late May and early June. (CPW) In summer, Visit Grand Junction points to the valley lakes for bass, catfish and panfish and to the cooler Grand Mesa lakes for trout. (Visit Grand Junction) Winters are cold and dry. (NWS Grand Junction station history (PDF))
Why visit
Visit Grand Junction counts more than 1.5 million acres around town, 76 percent of it public land: mountains, rivers, canyons, lakes and high desert. (Visit Grand Junction) You can fish a state park pond in the morning, drive Rim Rock Drive at the monument, and reach a Grand Mesa lake by evening. (NPS, Visit Grand Junction
Start with the Western Colorado guide or build a day with the Trip Builder.
Trip prep
Heat. (NWS Grand Junction station history (PDF)) Carry a gallon of water per person per day on desert trails. (NPS) Heat stroke is an emergency; call 911. (NWS)
Cold water. Colorado water is cold water, most of the year, and cold water shock can drown strong swimmers. (CPW) Wear a life jacket and dress for the water. (NWS)
Storms and floods. Less than a quarter inch of rain can cause a flash flood; move to higher ground. (NPS) In lightning, get to a building or hard topped vehicle. (NWS)
Wildlife. Rattlesnakes and scorpions live in the desert around town; watch your hands and feet. (NPS)
Heading out from Grand Junction? Pick up the VCO Trucker Hat ($38), the VCO Ringer Shirt ($44), or the VCO Tumbler ($36), or bundle all three in the Valley Merch Pack ($99). Made to order, ships from Grand Junction.