Lake Granby

[Chewy]

I'll be going to my cabin on Lake Granby this weekend and I'll let everyone know how much ice there is on the lake (if any). Last year I was fishing on 6 inches of ice by the first of January. Maybe, with the cold temperatures they've had up there recently we'll experience an early ice up.

[lucky7]

Chewy:

What's the word on the Granby area? I am staying in that area for three days later this month. Hope there is good news.

[Don In Denver]

I talked to the folks at Budget Tackle on Monday. The lake is still all open water. Catching lots of macks, mostly small, from shore around Dike #3 and similar areas.

[John19]

Man that stinks about Granby, I was planning on hitting it quite abit over the holidays. Come on cold weather!!!!

John

[Chewy]

Hey guy's,

Sorry It took me so long to get back to everyone. The lake is still mostly open and only freezing in a couple of coves.

I'm still optomistic that there will be safe ice to fish by January 1, 2005. Once the freezing process starts in ernist it won't take long. I'll keep everyone posted. I plan on spending the week between Christmas and New Years at the cabin. Depending on ice conditions I'll either be ice fishing or snow mobiling. I'll take my lap top and try and keep everyone posted from the lake that week.

[John19]

Chewy, I'm up there too, at that time. Where else is there to fish around there? Is there a way to get to Lake John, if so,about how far. I have friends going there on Monday. We have a place in Sol Vista, So we are either sking "Mary Jane" or fishing the entire time.

John

[lucky7]

John:

I am in Grand Lake dec. 26-29. Let me know if we can get together and fish.

[Chewy]

John,

Lake John is about an hour and 15 minute drive from Granby. Get on Highway 40 and continue through Granby heading towards Hot Sulpher Springs. You have to go over Willow Creek Pass to get there. I don't remember the Highway number but there is a Bird refuse/Lake on the left where you turn off Highway 40 (right hand exit) to go over Willow Creek Pass and into Walden. From what I've read there is plenty of ice. There are two favorite spots I fish at lake john. Depending how deep the snow is on the road heading towards the dam fish just off the Choke Cherry bushs (on the road heading towards the Dam)it is a great spot to fish, just get about 25 or 30 feet off shore in about 10 foot of water. Or as you drive up to the lake fish near the spillway you'll see a road on your left leading down to a small parking area next to the spillway. Good Luck.

[Chewy]

GUY'S,

When I drove by Lake Granby Friday afternoon there was only ice in Rainbow Bay (near Sunset Point). When I went by Sunday morning there was a lot more ice covering most of the west side of the lake out into the middle. If the evening temps stay around -5 like they did this weekend and the day-time temps stay in the teens the lake should have a full cover of ice in the the next ten days or less. Grand Lake and Shadow Mountain are completely ice covered. Won't be long!!! I had a great weekend of snowmobiling! I did roll my sled highmarking.....that wasn't to cool. I'm OK but damaged my new sled! Oh well. That's the price you pay for playing on the edge.

[Chewy]

As you are all probably aware Granby is completely iced over. Most of the Lake has 6 to 7 inches of ice depending on where you are. There is a small amount of open water near Deer Island. By this coming weekend (Jan 8-9th) the lake should be safe for snowmobiles and gear all around the lake. We fished for an hour Sunday,December 26th and caught 6 macks (17" - 19") kept two we smoked for lunch. Good luck to all this upcoming season!!

[Sir Fish Alot]

Saw plenty of snowmobiles and 4 wheelers on the lake on sunday after new years day. A good 8 inches of ice also.

[ShouldaBen]

heading to granby on Thursday on a solo trip. Anyone have any tips on places for easy access onto the lake? I've fished off sunset point a few times but hauling the fish house, power auger, vex, and all the other gear gets a bit long trudging back up from the point. Not to sound too lazy, but anyone got any decent spots on the lake with quicker access? packing light at granby is always tougher since being without the house means a lot of icey cold fingers in the early am...

[Chewy]

Unfortunately there is no easy access to Lake Granby without a four wheeler or snowmobile. Cutthroat Bay is on the North side of the lake. Take the turn at the firehouse and continue until you have almost reached the pumphouse. You'll see a small parking area on the right. The distance to the lake is shorter but the decent is steeper. You have to ferry pieces of equipment up the hill in smaller loads. To lower a sled/tent would be difficult. If you fish Sunset Point ask a fisherman with a snowmobile or fourwheeler if they could tow you up the hill. Offer a few bucks, most of the time they'll be glad to help you for nothing. We've all been through the process at one time. Good Luck. I fished Granby Saturday the 8th and the ice is safe all over the lake how ever the fishing was slow. The pressure ridges formed very strangely this year (completely different locations than the past three years). Use caution when crosssing the ridges. Look for other well used crossing points. It snowed lightly most of the day Saturday. The snow has not adhered to the lake surface yet so it was hard to get good traction for fourwheelers and snowmobiles. More traffic will beat down the snow and make for better traction.

[John19]

Is Sunset point right off the main boat ramp?

[Chewy]

There are two main boat ramps at Granby. The first is Sunset Point ( take the first left turn off Hwy 34 going towards the dam. Sunset point is the 4th or 5th left after you turn off the highway) Make sure you buy a daily use pass. The second is Stillwater camp ground further north on Hwy 34. You can gain access to the lake from both locations. Stillwater is a little less steep but you'll need to walk a little further out to get to the ice. The boat ramp was not used all summer due to low water.

[Chewy]

Yes, Sunset Point is just in front of the parking lot ramp (boat ramp)you come down to get on the lake. Rainbow bay is the first bay you see from the road as you drive in.

[ShouldaBen]

Thanks Chewy for the tips and info. I hit my buddy up for the use of my old - much lighter- fish house I upgraded from when I bought the monster house with a basement (at least it feels that way dragging it up the hill). Looking forward to getting out there!

[Chewy]

Mscottcody,

Are you planning on fishing Granby this Saturday? I'm planning on fishing this Saturday. Are you going to fish off Sunset Point? If so what does your tent look like? I'll come over and look for you. I'll also be happy to give you and your gear a lift up the hill to your vehicle when your done fishing. I'll be on a Blue and Yellow SkiDoo Summit pulling a Blue Fish Trap Yukon sled. Let me know what time your planning on being there. I'll probably leave the cabin to start fishing around 6:30AM.

[John19]

Chewy, do you know when the tourney is there? I'll be up there all weekend, but I was thinking of hitting williams fork 1st.

John

[Chewy]

The Granby three lakes contest starts at sun-up Friday morning January 28th and runs through noon Sunday the 31st. If you've fished the contest in the past the Grand Fishing Committee should be sending you a registration form through the mail, or when you're in Granby stop by Budget tackle and talk to Richard or Margaret Crager and they can set you up with a registration form. It costs $30.00 to enter. Again this year they have some great prizes in the drawing and all the usual fish prizes as well. They expect close to 1,500 or more fisherman this year. A lot enter but not everyone fishes. Some just want a chance at winning the great raffle prizes.

[ShouldaBen]

Chewy- Thanks for the offer of help! I'm fishing thurs and fri only. So I won't be on the lake on Saturday but thanks again! Hopefully we can hook up some other time..

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

Got my entry form in the mail on Wednesday.

[Chewy]

Dan,

Where are you going to be fishing Friday the first day of the Granby contest? I would like to meet you. What kind of tent can I look for or anything to distinguish you from the mass of fisherman?

[lucky7]

Chewy:

He has an old Fish trap Guide- Blue and a real unique motorcycle. You can't miss him.

[Dan DAN the fisherman]

Chewy,

I can give you Lat,Longs if you want to meet me at my starting spot. Just leave me a e-mail address and I'll send them to you. That will work, if you have a hand held GPS.

Dan