Rifle Gap Reservoir

The Pike fishing is excellent year round but shines April through June and again September through October. With an abundance of eater sized fish you are free to keep a few for dinner under 24 inches. The big fish are more prized and difficult to catch but every year we pull out dozens of fish between 10 and 20 pounds.

The Walleye in the lake have been self-sustaining for decades, while there is not a huge population they tend to be bigger and have excellent body conditions, fish average around 20 inches. The limit on Rifle is one fish per person over 18 inches, all fish 23 and over must be released. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) has also recently been stocking Triploid Walleye.

Smallmouth fishing can be hit or miss but when it’s hot it is usually red hot, with fish ranging up to four pounds. The lake also supports a very small population of super-sized brown trout; they are rare and difficult to catch but every year we see fish up to 26 inches. Lastly, there are great Perch and Rainbow Trout populations that fish well year round.

Rifle Gap Reservoir is a Colorado State Park and does require a daily entrance fee for all vehicles. Rifle Gap is located about 1 hour east of Grand Junction, 45 minutes west of Glenwood Springs, and only 3 hours west of Denver.

On the day of your trip you'll be fishing out of a 2019 Lund Impact 1875 equipped with the latest in marine electronics and fishing gear. Plenty of room for up to 4 clients. The boat is loaded with absolutely everything we need to target fish whether casting, trolling, jigging, or fly-fishing. Depending on the season and the target species some days you will focus more heavily on a particular technique. But this is your trip so if you have a preferred method Connor is more than happy to hone in on that!

Colorado waters are receiving more pressure than ever before so we do our best to protect the resource. As such, Connor likes to practice selective harvest. This mean you will take measurements and pictures but all species of the following dimensions will be released to grow and fight another day!

Lake Trout -24” and greater Walleye -22” and greater Brown Trout -20” and greater Smallmouth -16” and greater Northern Pike -26” and greater Tiger Muskie -All released But outside of these restrictions you are free to keep your limit of fish.

(Everyone that fishes in Colorado must obtain at least a 1-day fishing license. Please follow this link to obtain a fishing license prior to your trip. The proceeds from fishing licenses help keep the outdoors healthy!)

Please bring snacks and beverages (NO ALCOHOL), appropriate clothing (layers recommended), cooler with ice if you plan on harvesting fish A Hat, Sunglasses, Sun screen, A fish-catching attitude!

Like most guides, Connor has been absolutely passionate about all things fishing since before he could remember. Growing up in Chicago that passion was sparked at a young age fishing with his dad and brothers. It started at the local neighborhood ponds and evolved rapidly from there. As he got older the passion grew stronger and he started exploring bigger bodies of water with his friends, he would routinely spend days on end fishing for an individual fish he had spotted earlier in the season.

Nowadays he calls Colorado home but he has spent time all over the country and has been blessed with the opportunity to fish for almost everything that swims. From Tarpon in Florida to Muskie in Michigan, he loves it all. He spends most of his time in western Colorado guiding for Northern Pike and Lake Trout but loves to target Smallmouth Bass, Walleye, and Brown Trout almost as much. Over the years he has logged thousands of hours on his home waters and perfected his approach. He loves casting, trolling, jigging and fly fishing. He believes there is no better feeling than helping a youngster catch their first or biggest fish!