What special fishing regulations apply at Blue Mesa Reservoir?

Blue Mesa Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Colorado's statewide 2026 rules, covering Lake trout (Mackinaw) and Kokanee salmon. One of them reads: "Federal NPS overlay (Curecanti NRA) — CPW Fishing License valid throughout; lake trout 4 / day with only 1 fish over 28 in / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT slot-limit (CPW slot-limit-based protection of country's premier inland trophy lake trout fishery — CO state-record lake trout 50 lb 8 oz Blue Mesa 2007); kokanee salmon 10 / day no min (snagging permitted Nov 1 – Dec 31); rainbow + brown trout 4 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.

Do I need a fishing license to fish Blue Mesa Reservoir?

Yes. Blue Mesa Reservoir is in Colorado, so a valid Colorado fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Blue Mesa Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Colorado rules.

Do Blue Mesa Reservoir's special rules replace Colorado's statewide limits?

Only where they conflict. Colorado's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Blue Mesa Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.

Which species have special rules on Blue Mesa Reservoir?

Lake trout (Mackinaw) and Kokanee salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Blue Mesa Reservoir, each linking to its full Colorado regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Colorado limits.

2026 regulation year

Blue Mesa Reservoir 2026 — Colorado Fishing Regulations

Colorado statewide rules apply unless overridden below.

Last updated June 5, 2026

Blue Mesa Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays on top of Colorado's 2026 fishing rules — covering Lake trout (Mackinaw), Kokanee salmon. Verify the agency booklet before launching: in-season changes are not yet wired to this page.

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State-level special regulation

Federal NPS overlay (Curecanti NRA) — CPW Fishing License valid throughout; lake trout 4 / day with only 1 fish over 28 in / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT slot-limit (CPW slot-limit-based protection of country's premier inland trophy lake trout fishery — CO state-record lake trout 50 lb 8 oz Blue Mesa 2007); kokanee salmon 10 / day no min (snagging permitted Nov 1 – Dec 31); rainbow + brown trout 4 / day combined
Source: Colorado special-water list

Per-species rules on Blue Mesa Reservoir

Lake trout (Mackinaw) regulations →
4 / day with only 1 fish over 28 in / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT slot; CO state-record lake trout 50 lb 8 oz Blue Mesa 2007; Curecanti NRA NPS overlay
Kokanee salmon regulations →
10 / day; snagging permitted Nov 1 – Dec 31 during the fall spawning run; primary statewide kokanee brood + egg source (run ~30 mi up the Gunnison to Roaring Judy SFH); largest kokanee on CO record 7 lb 5 oz snagged here (Lee Cox, 2002); Curecanti NRA NPS overlay — CPW License valid

Official source

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) publishes the authoritative 2026 Colorado fishing regulations. Special-regulation lakes and rivers are listed in the agency booklet — always verify before fishing.

Visit official Colorado fishing regulations →

Emergency-order channel

In-season closures, slot-limit changes, and run-count-driven harvest pauses are posted to Colorado Parks and Wildlife's emergency-order feed — check it before any Colorado trip during the active season.

Other special-regulation waters in Colorado

Browse all water bodies →

Frequently asked questions

What special fishing regulations apply at Blue Mesa Reservoir?: Blue Mesa Reservoir carries 3 special-regulation overlays that override Colorado's statewide 2026 rules, covering Lake trout (Mackinaw) and Kokanee salmon. One of them reads: "Federal NPS overlay (Curecanti NRA) — CPW Fishing License valid throughout; lake trout 4 / day with only 1 fish over 28 in / day TROPHY MANAGEMENT slot-limit (CPW slot-limit-based protection of country's premier inland trophy lake trout fishery — CO state-record lake trout 50 lb 8 oz Blue Mesa 2007); kokanee salmon 10 / day no min (snagging permitted Nov 1 – Dec 31); rainbow + brown trout 4 / day combined." Every overlay on this water body is listed in full above.
Do I need a fishing license to fish Blue Mesa Reservoir?: Yes. Blue Mesa Reservoir is in Colorado, so a valid Colorado fishing license is required just as it is anywhere else in the state, issued by Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). The special regulations on this page change the bag, size, slot, or gear rules for Blue Mesa Reservoir; they do not waive the license requirement. Free-fishing days and youth exemptions follow the statewide Colorado rules.
Do Blue Mesa Reservoir's special rules replace Colorado's statewide limits?: Only where they conflict. Colorado's statewide 2026 regulations apply on Blue Mesa Reservoir by default; the overlays above replace the matching statewide rules for the species or gear they name, while everything not specifically overridden still follows the statewide rule. When a water-body rule and the statewide rule disagree, the water-body rule wins.
Which species have special rules on Blue Mesa Reservoir?: Lake trout (Mackinaw) and Kokanee salmon have a water-body-specific rule on Blue Mesa Reservoir, each linking to its full Colorado regulations above. Species not listed here follow the statewide Colorado limits.

← Back to Colorado regulations overview