Island Acres Fishing Guide

Topography and landscape

Island Acres is the eastern section of James M. Robb Colorado River State Park, off I-70 at Exit 47, five miles east of Palisade. (CPW) It takes its name from an island left in the middle of the Colorado River by river flow and erosion. (CPW)

This is canyon edge country. CPW says the river here cut through Cretaceous sandstone and shale, and the rock exposed at Island Acres includes Mancos shale and the Mesa Verde group with its sandstone and coal layers. North of the river, the Book Cliffs show younger Tertiary sandstone and shale, and landslides are common, dropping debris that the river carries off and lays down across the floodplain. (CPW)

How the land shapes the fishing. The section is a string of ponds beside a big river. CPW stocks two of them, Old Orchard and Roans Pothole, with catchable rainbow trout. (CPW) Big Rio Grande cottonwoods shade the west side, and bald eagles nest here to use the year round fishery. (CPW)

What you'll find

Fish. Stocked rainbow trout in Old Orchard and Roans Pothole. (CPW) Several endangered native fish live in the Colorado River through the park, and CPW says any you catch must be released at once, unharmed. (CPW) Species and rules by water are on CPW. (CPW)

Wildlife and plants. CPW lists bald eagle, great blue heron, osprey, lark bunting and sagebrush sparrow among the park's birds; mule deer, muskrat, raccoon and desert cottontail among the mammals; and plant communities from desert shrubland and saltgrass to riparian woodland. (CPW)

Facilities. A visitor center between Roans Pothole and Old Orchard Pond, open spring through fall. A swim beach on the west end in the day use area, open in summer. A three quarter mile, hard packed, self guided trail along the river through the area's geology. Group picnic areas by reservation, and a campground within walking distance of the swim beach and the two stocked lakes. (CPW)

Boating. Hand propelled, sail and electric boats can be hand launched on the lake. Boating on the Colorado River from Island Acres is not allowed because of a dangerous roller dam downstream. (CPW)

Nearby. The park gives easy access to Palisade's peach orchards and vineyards. (CPW) Other park sections: Corn Lake, Connected Lakes and Fruita.

Responsible use

Leave No Trace. Pack in, pack out. CPW asks visitors to stay on trails, respect closures, keep human food from wildlife and take nothing but pictures. (CPW, Leave No Trace)

Mussels. CPW lists the Colorado River from the Eagle River down to the Utah line as infested with zebra mussels. (CPW) Clean, drain and dry boats, waders and gear; motorized and trailered boats need a certified inspection. (CPW, CPW) Our note: clean, drain, dry.

Fire. Campsites have fire rings. No fires on the swim beach. Seasonal fire rules on nearby public land change with conditions; check before you go. (CPW, BLM)

Rules for this ground. Camping, fishing and boating rules are set by CPW for the park. Read the park page and brochure for current rules; we do not restate them here. (CPW, CPW) See our Colorado fishing laws page.

Kindness to other users

Campers and day users. Campers here sleep beside the interstate and the train tracks; CPW says most people tune out the noise. (CPW) Our shop habit, not a rule: keep early morning car doors, music and voices low near the campground loop.

Swimmers. Boats stay out of the designated swim area, and the beach is closed to dogs, glass, fires and boats. (CPW) Our shop habit: fish away from the beach in summer.

Hunters. Waterfowl hunting is allowed in season from designated blinds by reservation. (CPW) CPW recommends fluorescent orange or pink in the field during hunting season even if you are not hunting. (CPW)

Birds and pets. Keep voices low, watch from a distance and avoid nests, especially the eagles. Dogs stay on a leash no longer than six feet and you clean up after them. (CPW, CPW)

Best times to go

Season. The visitor center is open spring through fall, and the swim beach is open in summer. (CPW) Island Acres is open year round for camping and day use, with limited winter facilities. (CPW, CPW) The river runs high with snowmelt, usually peaking late May into early June; read the gage first. (CPW, USGS)

Time of day. Early. The cottonwoods give shade from summer heat, but CPW notes most summer storms in the valley build in the afternoon and come fast from the west. (CPW, CPW) The park opens at 5 a.m. (CPW)

Why visit

Island Acres is the east gate of the Grand Valley: big cottonwoods, eagles over a year round fishery, stocked trout ponds a short walk from a campsite, and Palisade orchards next door. (CPW) It is also a walk through time, with Mancos shale and Mesa Verde sandstone along the trail and the Book Cliffs above. (CPW)

Plan it with the Trip Builder and our Island Acres shore day prep.

Safety

The river. Do not launch onto the Colorado River here; CPW warns of a dangerous roller dam downstream. (CPW) Colorado water is cold water, under 70 degrees, most of the year, and cold water shock can drown strong swimmers. Wind is the main reason paddlers fall in. (CPW) Wear a life jacket and dress for the water, not the air. (NWS)

Weather and heat. In lightning, get to a building or hard topped vehicle and wait 30 minutes after the last thunder. (NWS) Valley summers run hot; NPS notes nearby Colorado National Monument reaches the low 100s. (NPS) Heat stroke is an emergency, so call 911. (NWS)

Wildlife. CPW lists the great plains ratsnake and plateau striped whiptail among the park's reptiles; give any snake room. (CPW) More: throw bags and self rescue and cold water checklist.

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.

More Western Slope trip notes

Sources for this post