Delaney Butte Lakes State Wildlife Area is approximately 2,457 acres (3.84 sq. miles or 9.94 sq. kilometers) and ranges from 8,111 ft to 9,311 ft in elevation.

Fishing: Large rainbow trout, brook trout, brown trout and cutthroat trout.

​

Delaney Butte Lakes SWA is owned and managed by the Colorado Division of Wildlife as a high quality sport fishery and big game habitat area. Included in this 2132 acre area are three lakes managed to provide an exceptional fishing experience with a variety of trout species.

​

 

 

This lake provides trout averaging 13-14 inches and one pound, up to 20 inches and 4 pounds  and larger.  East Delaney provides the highest catch rate of the three lakes. The lake is stocked with 7500 rainbow trout fingerlings,7500 Snake River cutthroat trout fingerlings and 5,000 brook trout fingerlings each year. Fishing is limited to artificial flies and lures only. The maximum surface acreage is 65, maximum depth is 34 feet, average depth is 10-12 feet. Rainbows and Cutthroats 18-22 inches long must be returned to water immediately. Daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish for all three lakes combined.

​

​

 

North Delaney Butte Lake (205 acres) is one of only two Gold Medal Lakes in Colorado.  This lake is managed as a wild brown trout egg source for the entire state, providing a million plus eggs each year. Fishing regulations for this lake are intended to protect brown trout in the 14 to 20 inch range. Trout in these size and age classes are prime spawners and provide the bulk of the brown trout eggs taken in the DOW's spawn-taking operation each fall. To take advantage of the lake's high productivity North Delaney Butte Lake is stocked with 31,000 brown trout fingerlings and 3,000 rainbow trout fingerlings each year.  Night fishing on this lake is supurb and we know where the "hot spots" are.

 

Anglers may catch trout up to 25 inches in length, weighing from one to eight pounds. When filled completely North Delaney Butte Lake has 260 surface acres; maximum depth is 30 feet; average depth is 12-15 feet.  Fishing on this lake is by artificial flies and lures only. All brown trout caught between 14 and 20 inches must be returned to the water immediately. Daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish for all three lakes combined. Rainbows and Cutthroats 18-22 inches long must be returned to water immediately.

​

 

South Delaney Butte Lake (150 acres) is stocked with 15,000 rainbow trout fingerlings and 15,000 Snake River cutthroat trout fingerlings each year. Fish average 14-16 inches, however trout up to 22 inches and 4 pounds and larger are not uncommon. Daily bag and possession limit is 2 fish for all three lakes combined. At maximum the lake is 56 surface acres; maximum depth is 26 feet, average depth is 10-12 feet. Rainbows and Cutthroats 18-22 inches long must be returned to water immediately.

​

Directions to Delaney Butte Lakes:

​

From Walden Colorado, go .5 mile west on Highway 14 to County Road 12W, then go 5.3 miles west to County Road 18, then west 4.5 miles to County Road 5, then .5 mil north to property.

 

There are no fees for camping.  Fresh drinking water is not available.  There are no trash receptacles.  There are outside toilets.