Cobbett Lake is a small, well-maintained fishing lake on the Grand Mesa in Delta County, Colorado, located near the Grand Mesa Visitor Center along Highway 65. At roughly 10,000 feet in elevation, this accessible alpine lake offers stocked trout fishing, a lakeside trail, and one of the cleanest campgrounds on the mesa, making it a convenient first stop for visitors exploring the world's largest flat-top mountain.
Fishing at Cobbett Lake centers on rainbow trout stocked by Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The lake produces reliably throughout the open-water season, and fly anglers will find midging particularly productive. Local reports point to size 18 and smaller midge patterns as the top producers, with CDC midge dry flies drawing strikes from rising fish. Indicator nymph rigs with chronomid midges also work well for subsurface action. Conventional anglers do fine with woolly buggers and small spinners, especially during lower-traffic periods. The fish run on the smaller side but are plentiful, and the occasional larger trout rewards patient, technical presentations.
The campground adjacent to Cobbett Lake draws consistent praise for its exceptional upkeep. Visitors describe it as the cleanest and best-maintained campground they have encountered in Colorado, with spotless vault toilets that carry no odor and attentive camp hosts who take pride in the grounds. Campsites include fire rings and picnic tables, and the setting among dense spruce forest at high elevation keeps summer temperatures cool, with water temps reaching only about 68 degrees at the peak of summer.
A trail loops around the lake, providing an easy walk for families, anglers scouting the shoreline, and anyone who wants to stretch their legs after the drive up the mesa. Parking is ample, and the proximity to the Grand Mesa Visitor Center means the area gets steady traffic during summer months. Expect company on weekends from June through August. Midweek visits and shoulder-season trips in September and October offer a quieter experience.
Cobbett Lake is one of more than 300 lakes and reservoirs scattered across the Grand Mesa, so it pairs naturally with a broader exploration of the area. The Crag Crest National Recreation Trail, Island Lake, and Ward Lake are all within a short drive, giving visitors plenty of options for a multi-day Grand Mesa trip.