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jdcellarmod's avatar
jdcellarmod
Explorer
Dec 24, 2021

Ranger Lakes CG Colorado

Hi all,

Anybody been there? How is the campground? More importantly, how is the fishing? Looking at a mid to late September visit.

Thanks, Jeff D
  • Sub'd. I will say after Labor Day is a MUCH better time to camp than before. Everything is slammed in the summer.
  • Mid September will be great weather but the lakes will be 'fished out'.
    The autumn colors and the bugling elk will make up for the lack of fish.
  • We fished ranger lakes many moons ago. Only thing we ever caught were small stockers.

    Try Michigan Res a few miles down the road. Flies and lures only. We caught and released many brown and rainbows fishing from shore with rooster tails. Fish are larger in that lake than ranger. We always had good luck in late sept.
  • We have been there and some of our friends go every year. The campground is good with electric only and water to fill you fresh tank. There is no dump station right there. The fishing is good and stocked with 8-10" regularly. You also have a good chance of seeing lots of wildlife. The last time there we saw deer, moose, and a bear in the area. You do need to make reservations ASAP.

    ADD: I have fished Lake Agnes and it is a beautiful lake as the video tagged below by BradW. It is definitely a challenging hike to get there but well worth it. You do have to be used to the elevation and in decent shape to attempt it as the lake sits over 10,000 feet.
  • Michigan Reservoir was empty in August as they are doing repairs to the dam - supposed to be finished by next summer. There is a dump station in the area, it's a couple of miles from the campground.
  • Colorado has a habit of draining my favorite trout lakes. They drain Antero Res a few years back right after I discovered that place and the big fat rainbows in it.

    Another good trout lake in that area is Lake Agnes. Its about a mile walk into the lake, but the fish and scenery are worth it.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UD_HkMLr7qw