The West Lake Day Use Area fishing area in Colorado, USA is a great spot for anglers to catch a variety of fish species, including rainbow trout, brown trout, brook trout, cutthroat trout, and kokanee salmon. The nearby activities include hiking, camping, kayaking, and paddle-boarding.

For fishing tips, anglers should use fly fishing gear and focus on using small nymphs and dry flies during the morning and evening hours, while using larger streamers during the mid-day hours. The best time of year to visit is during the spring and fall, with average temperatures ranging from 50-70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Overall, the West Lake Day Use Area fishing area is a fantastic destination for anglers and outdoor enthusiasts looking to enjoy the beauty and abundance of natural resources that Colorado has to offer.

Featured Fish - Apache Trout

iving in lakes and streams, this fish will eat insects, invertebrates and small minnows. They are typically targeted using very light spinning or fly tackle using nymphs, wet or dry flies, worms or salmon eggs. These fish may also strike small spinner baits or spoons but some areas where these fish can be found have enacted policies where anglers may only use artificial lures so check all regulations before targeting these fish. The following are fishing methods used to catch this fish: The body coloration is golden-yellow or olive yellow, with a golden belly, and Parr marks (vertical bars) can be seen on juveniles, but these marks typically disappear in larger individuals. Spots can be seen in an even distribution of pronounced, moderate-sized, rounded or oval black spots on the sides of the body and on top of the head. These spots may sometimes extend below the lateral line and onto the dorsal and caudal fins. The top of the Apache trout’s head and back is typically dark olive to brown and a black stripe appears to go through each eye because of the presence of two small black dots on either side of the pupil. Below the lower jaw, there is a dash of color that will range from yellow to darker gold. The dorsal, pelvic, and anal fins are tipped with a white to orange color and the adipose fin is usually bordered with a black margin.