Hunting, Fishing and Shooting

The GMUG National Forests provide millions of acres of habitat, thousands of miles of streams and a variety of lakes and ponds. These beautiful places provide a great backdrop for hunting, fishing and recreational shooting.

Lake and Pond Fishing

The GMUG National Forests support many different species of trout and other game fish.  Cast your line from the bank or a boat for some fine fishing exploits. Contact Colorado Parks and Wildlife at 970-247-0855 for information on seasons, licenses, restrictions and fish stocking reports. 

Hunting

Big game hunting draws hunters from just about every state to southwestern Colorado and to the GMUG National Forests. The major big-game species that live in the GMUG National Forests are mule deer, elk, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, moose, black bear and mountain lion. Game bird species include turkey, blue grouse, rock and mourning dove and various waterfowl species.

While the Forest Service does not sell hunting licenses, a license is required to hunt in Colorado. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife and local retailers sell licenses. Visit the Colorado Parks and Wildlife website for more hunting information. 

Recreational and Target Shooting

Target shooting is a fun sport that is allowed on the GMUG National Forests under certain conditions:

According to the Code of Federal Regulations (title 36), recreational shooting can take place on the National Forests and Grasslands if:

1. You are at least 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
2. You are not shooting across or on a National Forest System Road or an adjacent body of water.
3. You are not shooting into or within a cave.
4. You are not shooting in any manner or place where any person, property or resource is exposed to injury or damage due to such discharge.
5. You are not firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.

For recommended areas and additional information contact the local Ranger Districts.

For everyone's safety, please remember that ricochets can cause fires. Conditions in the forest can be dry at any time of year. When shooting firearms, please take safety precautions and be mindful that hot projectiles and sparks from ricochets can ignite fires in dry, grassy and brushy fuels.

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Recreation Opportunities

Fishing - Lake & Pond (87)

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Showing: 11 - 20 of 125 results

Big Creek Scout #638

The Big Creek Scout Trail #638 travels from the Uranium Road, FSR #404, down the Big Creek Drainage, and ends at Big Creek Reservoir.  The trail descends at a moderate grade through aspen stands…

Big Creek Uncompahgre Day Use Area/Fishing Site

Site Open

Parking area for Fishermen and Trailhead for the Big Creek Scout trail #638.

Black Bear Cabin

Site Closed

Black Bear at Mesa Lakes cabin sits within aspen and spruce/fir forest on the north side of the Grand Mesa National Forest. Black Bear cabin is part of the Mesa Lakes Ranger Station Complex. The…

Black Pine #647

The Black Pine Trail #647 is located on the Fruita Division, south of Glade Park. The southern trailhead's access is off Eighteen Mile Road to Enoch's Lake and intersects with other trails on the…

Blue Creek #620

The Blue Creek Trail #620 descends through a diverse mixture of vegetation from its upper trailhead to the lower trailhead near the confluence of Massey Branch and Blue Creek.  In the upper sections…

Blue Lake #707.1A

The Blue Lake Trail #707.1A climbs at a gradual grade from the lower trailhead off the Spring Camp Trail #707 through open stands of aspen and mixed spruce/fir to the upper trailhead on the northwest…

Blue Lakes #201

The Blue Lakes Trail #201 begins at the Blue Lakes Trailhead on Forest Service Road #851.1 and ends at the Blue Lakes Trailhead on Forest Service Road #853.1B. After passing through a gate, the trail…

Bonham #512

The Bonham Trail #512 starts at the end of Forest Service Road #258.1C and ends near Bonham Reservoir at FSR #259, Bureau Pipeline Road. This trail gradually descends as it travels east toward Bonham…

Brush Creek #400

The Brush Creek Trail #400 begins at the end of East Brush Creek Road, FSR #738.2B and ends at the Taylor River Head Road, FSR #761.1D.  This trail follows the east branch of Brush Creek for its…

Bull and Brown #724

The Bull and Brown Trail #724 is one of two trails that drop off the rim on the southeast side of the Mesa and is a medium level of difficulty.  Combine the Brown and Bull Trail with the Point Camp…