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Columbine Ranger District

Quick Facts

Lemon Reservoir

Elevation:	8,150 Feet (2540.5 Meters)
Usage:	Moderate

General Description

This high mountain reservoir sees low to moderate boating use. The beautiful lake is situated west of Vallecito Reservoir. The reservoir was built in 1963 for water storage for irrigation. The reservoir has 622 surface acres of water and 10.0 miles of shoreline. The elevation of Lemon Reservoir is 8150 feet and it is 150 feet deep. The reservoir received its name from the Lemon Ranch which was mostly covered when the reservoir when it was built.

Boaters on Lemon Reservoir are usually fishing but we do see a few sailboarders and sailors. Even though the water is cold we see an occasional water-skier. Fish in the lake include brown and rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon.

Colorado boating regulations apply so make sure your boat is registered and you have all your safety gear before you go.

A cement boat launch is located at Miller Creek Campground. This Forest Service Campground is the only campground on the reservoir. There is plenty of boat trailer parking space available. There is a day use area at the north end of the reservoir, which has a parking area for approximately 20 vehicles and a restroom, however, there are no other facilities available so make sure you come prepared.

Directions from Durango, Colorado: Travel north on County Road 240 13 miles to Helen's Store. Turn onto County Road 243 (Forest Service Road 596), and the boat launch is approximately 2 miles.

Directions from Bayfield, Colorado: Travel 11 miles on County Road 501, then turn left onto County Road 240 and travel 3 miles to Helen's Store. Turn right onto County Road 243 and continue to the lake.

Seasonal Information:
Recreation Season: April through November (NOTE: Season approximate depending on fishing) . Ice Fishing Season: November through April (NOTE: Approximate season for ice fishing) .

Current Conditions & Trip Reports

Updated: 2003-09-03 12:18:00.0

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Filed By: Mick
Number of People Encountered: 0-10 ppl
Recommend to a Friend: Neutral
Report: Getting back up the dam,Make sure you have some sun cream and be very careful decending the bank sides.We caught fish on power bait on a bubble float. Fly fishing was working too
Conditions: It was steep to get down/up the bankside but if you are reasonably fit this will not bother you too much. bug reppelent required.
Water Availability: We tried to drink it all but failed miserably, we left enough for the fish to continue swimming.
Recommended Clothing: When we were, there it was boiling hot so shorts t shirts a hat and sun cream were the order of the day.
Suggested Accessories: Stout boots would be an advantage.

Recreation Opportunities

Activity		Remarks	On Site
	Boat Launching	Public boat launch	Yes
	RV Camping		Yes
	Fishing	Fish in the lake include brown and rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon.	Yes
	Ice Fishing	Fish in the lake include brown and rainbow trout and Kokanee salmon.	Yes
	Lakes & Reservoirs	Lemon Reservoir	Yes

Related Activities

Miller Creek Campground - Miller Creek Campground, about two miles north of the dam, has a concrete boat ramp at its north end. Eleven campsites offer a choice of sun or shade, and an asphalt road surface helps keep the dust down.

Miller Creek Picnic Ground - A footbridge leads across Miller Creek up the hillside toward the main road, to a shady roadside picnic area. This is the only picnic area on Lemon Reservoir.