Poage Lake is a small alpine gem nestled at over 10,000 feet elevation in the Rio Grande National Forest, accessible from the town of South Fork in Rio Grande County, Colorado. Reached by a short quarter-mile hike from the parking area at the end of Beaver Creek Road, this high-mountain lake rewards visitors with stunning scenery, eager trout, and the kind of peace that only comes from being surrounded by dense forest and towering peaks far from the nearest highway.
Fishing is the primary draw at Poage Lake, and anglers rarely leave disappointed. The lake is regularly stocked in summer with cutthroat trout, and the population also includes rainbow trout, Rio Grande cutthroat trout, and cutbow hybrids. Colorado Parks and Wildlife enforces special regulations here: artificial flies and lures only, with a bag and possession limit of two trout at a maximum size of 12 inches. Fly fishing is particularly rewarding during evening hatches when trout rise aggressively to dry fly patterns. The shoreline can be tight with trees on the lower end of the lake, so bringing a float tube or small canoe gives anglers access to more productive water, though any watercraft must be carried in from the parking area.
The setting is breathtaking in every direction. Wildflowers carpet the meadows along the trail in summer, and the surrounding forest of spruce and fir frames the lake against a backdrop of high peaks. The drive up Beaver Creek Road is scenic but bumpy, so keep speeds low and expect a rough surface for the final stretch. The parking area is spacious, and the trail to the lake is short enough for most ability levels.
Facilities at Poage Lake are minimal by design. There is a concrete boat ramp, a parking lot, and one dispersed campsite near the lake. No developed campgrounds, restrooms, or potable water are available at the site itself. Visitors should come prepared with everything they need and pack out all trash. The nearest services and supplies are in South Fork, about 16 miles back down the mountain.
Poage Lake sits at the kind of elevation where weather changes fast. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in summer, and temperatures drop sharply once the sun goes behind the ridgeline. The combination of high altitude, special fishing regulations, and limited access keeps crowds small, making this one of the more peaceful and rewarding alpine fishing destinations in the San Juan Mountains region of southern Colorado.