Hunting and Fishing in Gunnison
Fishing & Hunting
The Gunnison Country provides some of the finest fishing and hunting in North America. Surrounded by pristine wilderness and abundant open lands, the area provides excellent habitat for deer and elk. And the cold, clear, clean water that runs from the high mountain ranges is ideal for numerous species of fish.
We are ideally located as a hunting base. We are open year round and are ideally situated for hunting in the
Gunnison area with the West Elk Wilderness on our doorstep. Only a few
miles from over the counter units 54, 55, 551 and draw units 66 and 67.
Hot showers, laundry, warm cabins and great RV sites make Mesa RV
Resort a popular base for hunters and Fisherman this time of the year.
HUNTING:
Renowned for "big bucks", hunters travel to Gunnison from around the world every year to stalk the wiley mule deer. The number of licenses for mule deer is limited by the Colorado Division of Wildlife, consequently, lots of buck grow to maturity and sport trophy-quality racks.
The success rate is also high for hunters. Drawing a license in this high-quality area will take a few years, but for serious hunters looking for the trophy hunt of a lifetime, it's worth the wait.
Elk hunters also flock to the Gunnison area. Colorado is the only state where elk licenses are available over-the-counter right up to the day of hunting season.
Hunters should remember that big game hunting in Colorado's high country is challenging. Terrain is rugged, animals move into difficult areas when they start to feel hunting pressure, and the altitude requires being in good shape for both you and your horses. If you are unfamiliar with big game hunting, consider hiring a professional outfitter.
To apply for licenses, view the hunting areas or get a wildlife habitat stamp visit www.wildlife.state.co.us/Hunting/.
2009 Elk and Deer Season:
Archery Aug 29-Sept 27
Muzzle: Sept 12-20
!st Riffle: Oct 10-14 (Elk only)
2nd Riffle: Oct 17-25
3rd Riffle: Oct 31-Nov 7
4th Riffle: Nov 11-15
All the information you need can be found in the "2009 Guide to Gunnison Country Hunting" Magazine available free at our office and various outlets in Gunnison. Get your copy now!
Outfitting/Hunting
Gunnison Country Guide Service
3-5 day horseback pack trips. 1/2 or full day trail rides. Guided fishing and drop camps, guided pack-in hunts and drop camps.
P.O. Box 1443
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-2830
Fantasy Ranch Outfitters, Inc.
29 Whiterock
P.O. Box 236
Crested Butte, CO 81224
888-outfitt
Adventure Experiences
Backpacking, rock climbing, fishing, and hunting.
#2 Illinois
Almont, CO 81210
970-641-4708
Lazy F Bar Outfitters
Provides horseback rides, guided big game hunts and sleigh ride dinners in the winter.
P.O. Box 383
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-0193
Tenderfoot Outfitters
Summer pack Trips, Fishing Trips, Guided and unguided hunts as well as photography trips. All in the West Elk Wilderness.
Box 246
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-0504
The Sportsman Outdoors & Fly Shop
A Comprehensive outdoor retail store and fly fishing pro shop. Providing outdoor services for fly fishing, hiking, shuttles, 4X4 tours and rentals/outfitting (including mt. bikes and boats.
PO Box 340
Lake City, CO 81235
970-944-2526
970-944-2845 (fax)
Razor Creek Outfitters, Inc
Fully guided fishing, full service hunting, horse-back trail-rides, pack trips.
9693 Co Rd 27
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-4837
FISHING:
Gunnison County's population is mostly fish. Our rivers, streams, ponds and lakes present the very best fishing in the central Rocky Mountains. With three million new fish released each year from hatcheries and hundreds of miles of waterways to select from, the Gunnison Country is a fisherman's heaven. Four characteristics distinguish it many other areas:
Quantity and diversity of water- Besides Colorado's largest man-made lake (Blue Mesa), the Gunnison Country boasts several other scenic reservoirs, three classic rivers, a number of streams and countless alpine lakes and beaver ponds, plus a kids' fishing lake and fish hatchery ponds for "lawn chair fishing."
Escape from the crowds- The fish are everywhere, but the humans aren't. With so much publicly-accessible prime fishing, everyone can have their own private fishing spot.
Diversity of fish- You might catch the extra-tasty kokanee salmon or brown, rainbow, cutthroat, brook, or mackinaw (lake) trout.
Strong fly hatches- With their healthy insect hatches, the area's waters entice fly fishermen July through early November.
The Gunnison area provides a variety of waters for anglers of all persuasions. Small streams, big rivers, alpine lakes and big reservoirs offer numerous fishing opportunities.
In the high country, anglers can ply the waters for brown, rainbow and cutthroat trout with lightweight fly-fishing gear or spinning tackle. Few experiences compare to wading a cold, clear stream in a high valley on a brilliant summer day.
The area also is home to bigger rivers – the Gunnison, the Lake Fork and the Taylor. Some of the best brown trout fishing in the country can be found deep in the canyon of the Gunnison Gorge.
For those who prefer still waters, Blue Mesa Reservoir and Taylor Reservoir are favorites among Colorado anglers. Blue Mesa Reservoir is renowned for its lake trout, kokanee salmon and brown trout; Taylor is known for trout and northern pike.
For current regulations and costs or to purchase your license on line visit www.wildlife.state.co.us/Fishing/.
Area fishing maps: www.blm.gov/co/st/en/fo/gfo/recreation_information/fish/fish-areas.html
Ice Fishing
Don't be fooled; winter can bring the best fishing in the Gunnison Country. Fly fishermen catch huge rainbows in the catch-and-release area below Taylor Dam, where the water is still open and the fish are ravenous. Several lakes offer excellent ice fishing: Blue Mesa (rainbow and brown trout and kokanee salmon), Taylor (huge lake trout).
Elk Creek Marina, Inc.
P.O. Box 1804
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-0707
Three Rivers Resort
Fly Fishing, guided fly fishing from rafts. A variety of raft trips.
130 County Road 742
P.O. Box 339
Almont, CO 81210
970-641-1303
888-761-3474 (fax)
Gunnison Country Guide Service
3-5 day horseback pack trips. 1/2 or full day trail rides. Guided fishing and drop camps, guided pack-in hunts and drop camps.
P.O. Box 1443
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-2830
Almont Anglers
Full service fly shop, tackle, licenses, rentals, float fishing and rafting.
10209 Hwy 135
Almont, CO 81210
970-641-7404
Adventure Experiences
Backpacking, rock climbing, fishing, and hunting.
#2 Illinois
Almont, CO 81210
970-641-4708
Gunnison Fish & Raft
Offering guided wade and float-fishing trips on the Upper Gunnison river. Half or full day plus custom trips for all ages and abilities. Local lodging/trip packages available. "Guiding on the gunni" since 1979.
63 Ginkgo Dr.
P.O. Box 7122
Gunnison, CO 81230
877-559-FISH
High Mountain Drifters Guide Service
Year around fishing guide service, specializing in fly-fishing.
201 W. Tomichi Ave
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-1845
Tenderfoot Outfitters
Summer pack Trips, Fishing Trips, Guided and unguided hunts as well as photography trips. All in the West Elk Wilderness.
Box 246
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-0504
Scenic River Tours, Inc.
Rafting, fishing, kayaking & rock climbing Choose from 2 hours to 3 days on 7 different rivers. Offices located in Gunnison & Taylor Canyon.
703 W. Tomichi Ave.
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-3131
The Sportsman Outdoors & Fly Shop
A Comprehensive outdoor retail store and fly fishing pro shop. Providing outdoor services for fly fishing, hiking, shuttles, 4X4 tours and rentals/outfitting (including mt. bikes and boats.
PO Box 340
Lake City, CO 81235
970-944-2526
970-944-2845 (fax)
Razor Creek Outfitters, Inc
Fully guided fishing, full service hunting, horse-back trail-rides, pack trips and summer cabins. 9693 Co Rd 27
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-4837
Gunnison Outdoors
Gunnison Valley Outdoor Adventures Booking Service
501 W. Tomichi Ave.
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-641-3877
970-641-0504 (fax)
Blue Mesa Fishing
Guided fishing trips for salmon, trout and lake trout on Blue Mesa Reservoir and the Gunnison River.
940 Cone Road
Gunnison, CO 81230
970-618-9901
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