Conditions at Highline Lake | Colorado State Parks

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Conditions

Boat Ramps - 1/20/2012

Highline Lake IS CLOSED TO BOATING, and docks have been pulled!! Boating will again be allowed March 1, 2012, or when lake ice conditions permit.

Boating - 1/20/2012

Highline Lake IS CLOSED TO BOATING!! Highline Lake will re-open to boats March 1, 2012, or when lake ice conditions permit.

Camping - 1/20/2012

The campground and Camper Services Building are open year round, with hot showers and laundry facilities. Prepare for cold weather conditions if you plan to camp in the winter! Start thinking about making your reservations for camping trips in 2012 - RESERVATONS ARE A MUST for weekends and holidays March through October, and may be made up to six months in advance. Make reservations online at www.parks.state.co.us or call 1-800-678-2267 (call 303-470-1144 in Denver metro area). Reservations MUST be made a MINIMUM of three days, and may be made a maximum of six months, before your arrival date. For a great camping trip, head to Highline Lake!

Fire Restrictions - 1/20/2012

Fires must ALWAYS be in designated fire grills, fire pits, or personal grills ONLY. There are NO fireworks allowed. Firewood is available at the visitor center or from a Ranger.

Fishing Report - 1/30/2012

Mack Mesa is thawing out! Currently, there is still fishable ice on the southeast side of Mack Mesa, near the pier, ONLY. Ice changes day to day, so always use caution on any ice. Trout fishing is still going strong at Mack Mesa, though! Using jigs, not bait, seem to work best! Fishing from the pier through exising holes is always an option. IF YOU GO ONTO ANY ICE AT MACK MESA, ALWAYS USE CAUTION! ICE CAN BE VERY DANGEROUS. Highline Lake has OPEN WATER in the northwest corner near the blinds, and the open patch the ducks and geese have kept open near the west ramp is growing daily. The only ice-fishable spot on Highline currently is the southwest corner, near the dam. USE EXTREME CAUTION if you venture onto ANY ice at Highline Lake. Pick up a one-day or annual fishing license at the Visitor Center. ". . . the worst day fishing is better than any day at work!" If you catch or see a Northern Pike at either lake, please remove it from the water if possible, and turn it over to park staff!

Hunting - 1/30/2012

Waterfowl hunting season is over for the 2011-2012 season at Highline Lake. For complete waterfowl regulations and more information, see http://wildlife.state.co.us/HUNTING.

Icing Conditions - 1/30/2012

Mack Mesa Lake is thawing out; the only fishable ice left is at the southeast corner of the lake, near the pier. ALWAYS USE CAUTION if you go onto any lake ice! The northwest corner of Highline Lake is ice free, as well as the growing patch of open water near the north end. There is an accessible ice fishing spot at the southwest corner of the lake near the dam; however, the ice thickness is not known, and the ice changes daily. Thee are no recent reports of fish being caught at Highline Lake. USE EXTREME CAUTION WHEN ON OR NEAR THE ICE!

Park Entrance - 1/20/2012

ALWAYS STOP at the Visitor Center window, for passes and information! Both the east Visitor Center entrance and west park entrance are manned when staffing allows. As a rule, the visitor center is open 8 am to 4 pm seven days per week. The automated dispenser to the right of the Visitor Center and the automated dispenser near the west park entrance both accept cash and Visa/MasterCard. Manned entrances accept cash, check, gift certificate and Visa/MasterCard for all passes and registrations. The manned Visitor Center at the east entrance has hunting and fishing licenses, as well as a variety of items in our retail store! The west entrance automated machine dispenses daily and regular Annual passes; the east machine dispenses daily, camping, Aspen camping, and Annual passes.

Trails - 1/20/2012

The weather lately has been perfect for taking to the trails! The trails are in excellent shape, usually frozen and with no snow! Dress in layers and enjoy the warmer days and dry weather while they last! Fresh air and blue skies invite everyone to get outdoors. This is Western Colorado, though, so be ready for any kind of change in the weather. The views from the top of Mack Hill are well worth the short hike from the Mack Mesa parking lot. Bring a camera! Please continue to practice good trail etiquette; share the trails, leash and pick up after your pet, and help us keep your trails clean! A reminder that pets must on a leash 6' or less AT ALL TIMES - the trails included! There are free trash bags available at the visitor center, or from any park staff member. Thanks!

Last Updated: 1/30/2012

Last Modified Date: 3/10/2011 11:04 AM