The Blue Mesa Reservoir tournament runs each summer and welcomes anglers of all skill levels

The Blue Mesa Reservoir Lake Trout Tournament is an annual summer event held on Colorado's largest body of water, located in Gunnison County near the town of Blue Mesa. The tournament typically takes place over a weekend in July, though the exact dates shift year to year. It is organized by local fishing clubs and the Gunnison County Parks and Recreation Department in partnership with Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The event draws anglers from across the state who fish for lake trout (also called mackinaw) in the deep, cold waters of the reservoir.

The tournament is open to anyone with a valid Colorado fishing license. You do not need to pre-register as a team or individual — most years you can sign up on the morning of the event at the boat launch. Entry fees are modest, usually between $25 and $50 per angler, and the money goes toward prize payouts and event costs. The format is straightforward: fish during the designated hours, weigh your catch at the official weigh station before the deadline, and compete for prizes in categories like largest fish, heaviest five-fish limit, and youth angler divisions.

Key Takeaways

  • The tournament happens each July on Blue Mesa Reservoir and accepts anglers on the day of the event without advance registration.
  • You need a valid Colorado fishing license, a boat or access to one, and basic lake trout fishing gear to participate.
  • Lake trout at Blue Mesa live deep year-round, so vertical jigging and trolling with live bait or spoons are the most effective techniques.
  • The weigh station closes at a set time each day, so plan your return to shore with enough buffer to avoid disqualification.
  • Gunnison County Parks and Recreation and Colorado Parks and Wildlife manage the event and post updates on dates and rules each spring.

How to reach Blue Mesa Reservoir and where to launch

Blue Mesa Reservoir sits about 30 miles west of Gunnison, Colorado, in the Curecanti National Recreation Area. From Gunnison, take US Highway 50 west toward Montrose; the reservoir straddles the highway and has multiple access points. The main boat launch for the tournament is typically at Elk Creek Marina, which has a full-service facility with fuel, rentals, and a restaurant. Cimarron boat launch is another option on the north shore and is less crowded, though it has fewer amenities.

Both launches charge a day-use fee (usually $5 to $7 per vehicle) and require a parking pass. If you do not own a boat, Elk Creek Marina rents fishing boats by the day, and several outfitters in Gunnison offer guided trips specifically for the tournament. The drive from Denver is about four hours; from the Western Slope towns like Montrose or Delta, it is 45 minutes to an hour. Arrive early on tournament day — parking fills up quickly, and the launch can have a queue by mid-morning.

Lake trout behavior and the best fishing techniques

Lake trout at Blue Mesa are deep-water fish. Unlike bass or pike that hunt in shallows, mackinaw spend most of the year in water 60 to 200 feet deep, where the temperature stays cold and stable. During summer, when the tournament runs, the thermocline (the layer where water temperature changes rapidly) sits around 40 to 60 feet down. Lake trout hunt just below it, so your lure or bait needs to reach that zone to be effective.

Vertical jigging is the most productive technique for tournament fishing at Blue Mesa. Drop a jigging spoon (usually 1 to 3 ounces, silver or white) straight down to the thermocline, then work it with sharp upward jerks followed by a controlled drop. The strike often comes on the drop. Trolling with live bait — particularly small kokanee salmon or shiners — works well if you have a second angler to handle the boat. Troll slowly along the main channel at 1 to 2 miles per hour, keeping your line at the right depth with a downrigger or by counting down before you start the retrieve.

Spoons in sizes 2 to 4 inches, jigging minnows, and tube jigs all catch fish. The key is depth and patience. Many tournament anglers spend the first hour or two finding the thermocline and the baitfish that gather there, then focus their effort in that zone. Water clarity at Blue Mesa is usually good, so fish can see your lure from a distance — use natural colors (silver, white, pearl) rather than bright ones.

Tournament rules, weigh-in procedures, and prize categories

Each year the tournament publishes a full set of rules, usually available in May or early June through the Gunnison County Parks and Recreation website or by calling their office directly. Rules cover fishing hours (typically 6 a.m. to 4 p.m.), the number of fish you can weigh (usually a five-fish limit), minimum size requirements (lake trout must meet Colorado's statewide minimum, currently 16 inches), and what gear is and is not allowed.

The weigh station operates at a fixed location — usually at Elk Creek Marina — and closes at a set time, often 4:30 or 5 p.m. You must have your fish in the weigh tank before that deadline or they do not count. Bring your fish alive if possible; the tournament staff will measure and weigh them, then return them to the water. Prize categories typically include heaviest single fish, heaviest five-fish limit, youth angler (under 16), and sometimes a women's division. Payouts vary depending on entry numbers but usually range from $100 to $500 for top places.

What to bring and how to prepare

Pack a cooler with ice, water, and snacks — you will be on the water for eight hours or more. Bring sunscreen, a hat, and polarized sunglasses; the sun reflects hard off the water and the altitude (around 7,500 feet) intensifies UV exposure. A fish finder is not required but is very helpful for locating the thermocline and baitfish. If you do not have one, ask your guide or a fellow angler where they are catching fish — tournament anglers are usually willing to share general location tips.

Check the weather forecast the night before. Blue Mesa can get windy in the afternoon, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in July. If the forecast calls for severe weather, the tournament may be postponed or cancelled; watch for updates from the organizers. Bring a rain jacket and a life jacket (required by law on all boats in Colorado). Make sure your boat is fueled and your engine is in good working order — running out of gas far from shore is dangerous and will cost you the tournament.

When the tournament happens and how to stay informed

The tournament is held annually, usually the second or third weekend in July. The exact dates change each year based on water conditions, weather forecasts, and the organizers' schedule. Gunnison County Parks and Recreation posts the official dates and registration information on their website in late April or early May. You can also call their office at (970) 641-4580 to confirm dates and ask about any changes.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife also maintains information about the event on their website and through their regional office in Gunnison. Local fishing shops in Gunnison, like Gunnison River Fly Shop, often have printed flyers and can answer questions about conditions and technique. If you are new to the area or to lake trout fishing, calling ahead to talk with a local guide or shop owner is worth the time — they know the reservoir intimately and can point you toward success.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to fish from a boat, or can I fish from shore?

The tournament requires a boat. Lake trout at Blue Mesa are too deep to reach consistently from shore, and the tournament rules specify boat fishing only. If you do not own a boat, rent one at Elk Creek Marina or hire a guide who will provide the boat and handle navigation while you focus on fishing.

What if I catch more than five fish — can I keep the extras?

Tournament rules limit the number of fish you can weigh, usually five. Any fish you catch beyond that limit must be released immediately. Colorado's statewide regulations also set a daily limit for lake trout (check the current limit on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website), so you cannot keep more than that anyway.

Is there a minimum fish size, and what happens if I weigh a fish that is too small?

Lake trout must meet Colorado's minimum size, currently 16 inches. If a fish is undersized, it will be disqualified and not counted toward your total. Measure your fish before you head back to shore to avoid wasting a slot on an ineligible catch.

Can I fish the day before or after the tournament?

Yes. Blue Mesa is open to regular fishing year-round with a valid Colorado license. Many anglers arrive a day early to scout the water and practice, or stay an extra day to fish for pleasure after the tournament ends. The same regulations and licensing requirements apply.

What should I do if I get seasick or uncomfortable on the water?

If you are prone to motion sickness, take medication before you launch — the water can be choppy in the afternoon. Stay hydrated and eat light snacks. If you feel unsafe or too unwell to continue, return to shore. Your health matters more than a tournament. Consider hiring a guide for your first tournament so you can focus on fishing rather than boat handling.