Anglers do not have to travel far from Mancos to do some serious mountain reservoir fishing.

There are several lakes within only a few miles of the town: Jackson Reservoir, Joe Moore Reservoir, Puett Reservoir and Summit Reservoir.

Jackson Gulch is located at Mancos State Recreation Area. At the intersection of U.S. Highway 160 and Colorado Highway 184, turn north on 184 and then right on Forest Service Road 561 and follow it for several miles.

The man-made reservoir is surrounded by small hills and many towering ponderosa pine trees. The entrance fee is $3 per day. Some facilities are available, including a boat ramp and restrooms. There are some beautiful camping spots on the near and far side of the lake.

Fishermen can fish for trout. For the family, or the first-time visitor to the area, this is probably the place to go to catch fish. It is stocked by the Colorado Division of Wildlife with catchable trout. Anglers can have good luck trolling from a boat and fishing from the bank. There are mainly rainbow and brown trout, and some catfish.

The reservoir was recently stocked with 20,000 catchable rainbow trout, according to a report from the Colorado Division of Wildlife.

Jackson Gulch is a nice place to take the family. There are plenty of trees to sit under, except on the dam side. Even the rocks there are a good place to catch some rays.

Those anglers not wanting to fish a reservoir can try Mancos River, which flows year-around. There are trails leading down to the water’s edge. One is accessible at Transfer Park Campgrounds, located a few more miles up Forest Service Road 561. There are several species of trout in the small river.

Another beautiful lake, located in tall timber, is Joe Moore. To get to the reservoir, take Colo. 184 to F.S. 559 and head north for a few miles. At the east side of the lake is the parking area and trailhead for Chicken Creek Ski Area, a cross-country area maintained double-track, plus some skate trackage.

On the west side of the lake is another parking area, mainly used by fishermen. The lake, also stocked recently by the DOW, is full of rainbow trout. I took advantage of the free Colorado fishing weekend in June. I didn’t have much luck at Joe Moore, but I did enjoy the picnic with the family.

Not receiving a whole lot of fishing pressure is Bauer Reservoir, located just off F.S. 559, and further up is Little Bauer. Both of these small impoundments are stocked with trout. Bauer Reservoir was also recently stocked.