Frequently Asked Questions

Q:   What kind of fishing will I do?
A:   Barbless, fly-fishing; catch and release, from shore, or in your belly boat.  

Q:   What is the best way to fish Maria Lake?
A:   You can fish it from shore, in waders, or utilizing a belly boat.

Q:   What kind of gear do I need to fish Maria Lake?
A:   5-6 weight rod and sinking line. Floating lines with strike indicators or with Dry Flys may also be effective depending on the time of year. A variety of flies, including # 6 or #8 black, brown, green Wooly Buggers and Wooly Worms, # 12-14 Bead headed Princes and Pheasant Tails. Hares Ears, Messis Shrimp and Damsel Fly Nymphs should round out your essential bugs. Of course, matching the hatch is always advisable and many new presentations have worked. Start with a larger fly up front and a smaller dropper Nymph behind.  A stomach pump is handy to determine what the fish have actually been eating.

Belly boats & chest waders come in handy but are not necessities.  If you are in a boat, Coast Guard approved flotation devices are required.

Minimum of 4X tippet and lots of backing on your fly line. These fish will take you to the backing and then some!

Q:   How far is Maria Lake from Denver?
A:   Maria Lake is 5 miles east of I-25 exit 50, on State Hiway 10. Exit 50 is about 150 miles due south of Denver.

Q:   What do we do if the weather does not allow us to fish?
A:   Maria Lake is always concerned about safety first, having a good time second, and the access fees a distant third. If the the weather is too adverse to fish and each person has not caught at least 2-18" trout, another day will be awarded the fishing group.

Q:  What constitutes a full day of fishing?
A:  As you know, a full day means lots of things. In early spring, 8:00 AM until dark or about 5:30 would constitute a day. In later spring, 6:00 AM until 6:00 PM would be a full day. In other situations, you may have a great 3-4 hour run and get either blown off the lake or snowed/rained off the lake. In those cases, if you have caught a minimum of 2 -18" inch trout and the conditions are unsafe or too miserable to be out, call it a day!

Q:  Is there a fly shop in Walsenburg?
A:  The Hollowpoint Gun Shop at 342 W. 7th in Walsenburg. It is not exclusively a fly shop, but does have a reasonable selection of most essentials.

Q:  Are there any facilities at the lake where we might stay?
A:  You can stay at the clubhouse on a first come, first served basis. There is a fee for overnight use of the lodge. Please see the website for the current rates and to make reservations. See the website for additional information.

Q:   What if the clubhouse is already occupied?
A:   Walsenburg has a number of nice motels.

        Best Western Rambler          Off I-25 at Exit 52                 719-738-1121
        LaPlaza Inn                         118 W. 6th                             719-738-5700
        Anchor Motel                       1001 Main                             719-738-2800
        Budget Host                         Off I-25 at Exit 52                  719-738-3800
        Days Inn                              22808 US Hwy 160                719-738-2167
        Rio Cucharas Inn                 77 Taylor Blvd                        719-738-7282
                                                   (Off Hwy 160)

Q:    Where can I eat?
A:    The clubhouse is available for you to eat in if you bring your own food.  It is well equipped for food preparation and has a refrigerator for cold food storage.  Please be sure to leave the clubhouse clean and deposit your trash in the receptacle outside when you leave. There is also a good selection of restaurants in town.  They include:

        Alpine Rose Cafe                522 Main                           719-738-1157
      *Alys’ Fireside Café              606 Main                           719-738-3993
      * Andy's Smokehouse            568 US Hwy 85 & 87         719-738-0400
                                                (Just South of George's)
        Carl’s Jr.                             700 Main                           719-738-1002
        Corine’s Mexican Food         822 Main                          719-738-1231
        George’s Drive Inn               564 US Hwy 85 & 87        719-738-3030
                                                  (Near I-25 Exit 52)
        Huerfano Café                     904 W 7th                          719-738-2882
        Iron Horse Restaurant          503 W 7th                          719-738-9966
        Pizza Hut                             973 US Hwy 85 & 87        719-738-3783
        Rambler Restaurant              455 US Hwy 85 & 87        719-738-6150
        Subway                               228 Main                           719-738-1332
        Tes’ Drive Inn                    520 Walsen Ave                719-738-1710   
       
        * You will want to eat dinner here – great and varied entrees for under $20.00.

Q:  What are the detailed driving directions for getting to Maria Lake?
A:  Take I-25 to the second Walsenburg exit, which is exit 50.  At the bottom of the exit ramp, turn right and go east on highway 10.  Mile markers for highway 10 start at this intersection, so watch for the markers on the side of the highway as you drive east.  When you see mile marker 5, slow down and turn left at the first dirt road that you see.  This is County Road 120.  Follow CR 120 north for 0.6 mile and turn right at the entrance to Maria Lake.  You will see signs once you are at this point that will direct you to the clubhouse.  Click Here to view a regional road map.