Lininger Lake is a private mountain lake tucked into the forested highlands of Park County, Colorado, southwest of the town of Bailey along the Highway 285 corridor. Resting at approximately 9,400 feet in elevation, the lake occupies a quiet basin surrounded by ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, and groves of quaking aspen that blaze gold each September. Because Lininger Lake is situated within a private residential community, public access is not available, and visitors need to know a resident or have permission before making the trip.
For those who do gain access, the fishing is the main draw. Anglers report good catches of stocked trout in the lake's clear, cold water. The surrounding terrain is typical of the Park County high country: rolling ridgelines, granite outcrops, and meadows dotted with wildflowers from June through August. Elk, mule deer, and wild turkeys are frequently spotted in the area, and the quiet shoreline provides a solid setting for a relaxed afternoon with a rod and reel.
While Lininger Lake itself lacks public amenities, the broader Park County region offers plenty of alternatives for day-trippers. Jefferson Lake, located a short drive to the southwest, provides public boat access, camping, and reliable trout fishing in a similarly scenic high-country setting. Kenosha Pass, one of Colorado's premier fall foliage destinations, is also nearby.
The lake is best visited from late May through early October, when temperatures are mild and the access roads are clear. Winter brings heavy snowfall to this part of the Rockies, and the roads to the lake may require four-wheel drive or chains. For anglers and nature lovers with a local connection, Lininger Lake delivers the kind of peaceful, uncrowded mountain fishing experience that public waters in this part of Colorado rarely match.