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24-acre reservoir near Mesa County. The lake tops out around 20 ft. The contours come from a model of the real basin shape and its known max depth. Read them as probabilities, not soundings, and keep them out of navigation decisions. Here's the year, species by species, as the scoring engine sees it.
There are 1.5 miles of drawn shoreline to work. Index 1.8 on the shoreline: a few honest points and pockets, nothing labyrinthine. Littoral water — the productive band under ~15 ft — makes up 72% of this chart, as modeled. Call it 0.5 mi long by 0.2 mi wide at the broadest reach. You'll find it in Mesa County. For a second option, Battlement Reservoir Big lies 4 mi southeast.
The spring pattern is a shallow one: rainbow trout in 5 to 20 ft. The depth story barely changes: 5 to 20 ft through summer, 4 to 20 ft in winter. Top water on the chart: Break off the point, a drop-off in the 9 ft range, prime in winter. Time it for early morning and the evening. Summer baits: a dodger + spoon (deep troll) or a flutter spoon gets it done.
| Season | Depth | Best window | Start at | Go-to baits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spring | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Inline spinner (silver), Small spoon |
| Summer | 5 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Break off the point (9 ft) | Dodger + spoon (deep troll), Flutter spoon |
| Fall | 6 to 20 ft | dawn & dusk | Main-lake point (8 ft) | Casting spoon, Jerkbait over shoals |
| Winter | 4 to 20 ft | dawn | Break off the point (9 ft) | Jigging spoon, Tube jig (white) |
Structure-wise the chart holds 5 features, led in depth by Deep basin at roughly 17 ft.
Season dates, license requirements, and size and bag limits for Colorado waters are set by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife — and special regulations can apply to Water Dog Reservoir specifically, so confirm the current rules before you fish.
Check the official Colorado fishing regulations →
Water Dog Reservoir is about 20 ft (6 m) deep at its deepest point. The contours here are modeled from the water's real shape and maximum depth, so treat them as a rough guide.
Anglers target rainbow trout on Water Dog Reservoir.
Break off the point is the top-rated area: a drop-off in about 9 ft of water that rates prime for rainbow trout in winter. The interactive chart above rates every spot for each species and season.
For rainbow trout, the summer bite is best in early morning and the evening. Each species page section below lists the seasonal windows, and the map shows a live NOW badge when you're inside one.
Fishing on Water Dog Reservoir is regulated by the Colorado Parks & Wildlife. Check the official Colorado regulations for current license requirements, season dates, and size and bag limits — special regulations can apply to this specific water.
Battlement Reservoir Big 4 mi · Island Lake 5 mi · Kitson Reservoir 7 mi · Reed Reservoir 7 mi · Eggleston Lake Big 8 mi · Neversweat Reservoir 8 mi · Eggleston Lake Little 8 mi · Youngs Creek Reservoir #3 9 mi · Bonham Reservoir 10 mi · Vela Reservoir 11 mi · Juniata Reservoir 12 mi · Gunnison River (Gorge) 27 mi
See how Water Dog Reservoir stacks up: best rainbow trout lakes in Colorado
More water nearby: Mesa County fishing maps (6 charts). Browse all Colorado fishing maps or see every water on DepthScout. How we build these maps. Fish here with a sonar unit that logs? Send us your depth data and we'll improve this chart, credited to you. For fishing guidance only, never navigation.